Overview Of The Symptoms Of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression! This condition is connected to the change of seasons. Patients experience symptoms at the same time every year, most often in the winter! Thankfully, symptoms subside when the season changes. So when patients have this condition in the winter, it goes away in the spring! However, cases have occurred in the spring and summer for some patients!

Most patients use common depression treatments as their treatments for seasonal affective disorder. This means that they take medication for depression. Patients often undergo psychotherapy for depression as well! Of course, some alternative therapies for depression are available for seasonal affective disorder. This includes light box therapy for depression! However, patients cannot use any light. They need a special seasonal affective disorder lamp! Seasonal affective disorder treatment must start with understanding what symptoms must be addressed.

Concentration Issues

Many patients with this condition experience concentration issues! This makes seasonal affective disorder quite similar to other types of depression. It makes it harder for patients to focus on their tasks, and they cannot absorb information as well! Patients will have concentration issues that negatively impact their job performance. This applies to adults who work regular hours!

Of course, teenagers with this condition also experience this symptom. These individuals need to focus on their schoolwork and to the teacher during class. This is hard when they have seasonal affective disorder. Patients often have low grades, missing assignments, and similar problems. They will also struggle with household chores and other daily tasks. Finally, they will not exert as much effort into certain areas of their life.

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Low Energy

Many patients with seasonal affective disorder deal with low energy. This is often one of the first warning signs! In fact, some patients only have this symptom. Part of this is because individuals get less direct sunlight in the winter. Thus, their brain has a harder time staying awake! Low energy starts in the fall for most patients. It will worsen as the days shorten! Thankfully, this symptom alleviates when winter is over.

Most individuals use light therapy in the morning. This mimics direct sunlight and helps them wake up! However, light therapy does not help patients with vitamin D deficiencies. A lack of vitamin D is a common trigger for seasonal affective disorder!

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Oversleeping

This condition compromises an individual's sleep. Specifically, many patients deal with oversleeping! They will also be lethargic and unusually sleepy during the day. In fact, seasonal affective disorder patients often feel as if they did not wake up fully! Patients with this condition oversleep due to longer nights affecting their biological clock. They will sleep earlier, since the sun sets earlier in the winter. They also struggle to wake in the morning, since the sun rises later in the day! Alarms do not help much for patients oversleeping because of this condition. The mornings are still darker! Many seasonal affective disorder patients also need to nap regularly. Nightmares are also common!

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Feelings Of Depression

Many individuals also call this condition seasonal depression. Thus, feelings of depression are common! Patients are likely experiencing apathy, sadness, and hopelessness. They will also lose interest in hobbies! Unfortunately, feelings of depression are quite severe in this condition. The mood changes are often just as harsh as major depression, even though the symptoms are only active for part of the year! Patients are at risk of suicidal thoughts with seasonal affective disorder as well.

Thankfully, there are treatments! Many patients receive antidepressants and psychotherapy. They are also encouraged to take time to do things they once enjoyed, even if it is tough. Talking to a doctor is crucial when they are in doubt about what to do!

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Loss Of Interest In Hobbies

As mentioned, patients with this condition often have a loss of interest in hobbies. They will not be motivated to partake in activities that they once enjoyed! Individuals will often not know why they are spending energy on certain activities. Not remembering why they enjoyed it is also common! Many patients will stop socializing as well. Brief periods of being uninterested in certain hobbies are normal! However, it is concerning when such feelings are persistent! It is also concerning when the disinterest appears rin the winter and disappears in the summer. That is a major sign of seasonal affective disorder!