SAD is a specific form of depression that occurs in a seasonal manner. Furthermore, this depression is also called winter depression. Generally, this depression occurs in a winter climate, and hence it is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.  Moreover, you will notice that this is emerging to become one of the most common medical issues which several individuals are facing on a consistent basis. Here we will discuss some of the essential concepts based on seasonal affective disorder.

Signs of SAD

Here we will discuss the Symptoms of SAD. Because it is important for individuals to have proper information with respect to SAD. In the first place, individuals tend to have a consistent form of low mood. It also includes the feeling of loss of pleasure or interest. In addition, you will also notice that individuals feel issues related to despair or even guilt. Likewise, you will notice individuals tend to have the feeling of lethargy and become sleepy throughout the day. Hence it is also common for individuals to sleep for longer intervals. As a result, for them, it becomes tougher to get up early in the morning.

Hence it is also common among individuals who crave food, and thus they are able to gain weight. Therefore individuals also have huge difficulties concentrating, and thus, they tend to lose interest in various activities they used to indulge in the past with a high level of enthusiasm in the past. Although these activities tend to have a huge impact on different individuals, there are several individuals who witnessed these symptoms on a holistic basis.

Reasons behind SAD

The exact reason behind SAD is not properly mentioned, but it is caused due to reduced exposure to sunlight during autumn and winter. In terms of this disease, you will notice that the hypothalamus part of the brain is vastly affected. Here are some of the essential aspects based on the SAD. Here are some of the scientific reasons behind the development of  Spring and summer SAD, along with the usual winter SAD:

• The production of melatonin tends to make an individual feel sleepy. High levels of melatonin compared to normal levels leads to them having resistance to waking up. Individuals who suffer from depression tend to produce high levels of melatonin.
• Serotonin is another hormone that regulates the overall mood and appetite. Studies have proven a direct link between feelings of depression and appetite.
• In addition to the hormonal level, the internal rhythm of the body, also known as the body clock, is vastly affected.

You will notice that many individuals are more vulnerable to these mental issues when they stay indoors and avoid sunlight. Hence it is recommended that individuals who have the feeling of depression go outdoors and ensure that they receive an optimum level of sunlight.

Diagnosis of SAD

If you are aware of individuals who are suspected to be suffering from SAD, then it is important for them to get themselves checked in a clinical centre. When the individual suffers from SAD, the physician learns about the overall metric of individuals. In the first place, they need to study the overall mood of the individual. Likewise, the overall lifestyle of people needs to be carefully studied and addressed.

In addition to learning about the symptoms, one needs to conduct a proper diagnosis of SAD. However, you will notice that SAD tends to become difficult to diagnose. While a person undergoes the diagnosis of SAD, the physician checks around to see if they are suffering from depression for a period of as long as two years. Accordingly, the diagnosis also includes the study around the period of depression, which tends to occur on an intermittent basis.

Treatment of SAD

There are numerous forms of treatment options for individuals who are suffering from SAD. However, it depends on the extent to which an individual is suffering from such symptoms. Accordingly, the physician diagnoses and studies the severity of these symptoms. You will notice that National Institute for Healthcare is an institution that focuses on providing information about the utilisation of therapies that can be utilised for individuals to consume specific forms of drugs.  In the same way, light therapy is an effective method for individuals who seek treatment for several medical ailments.

However, there are different measures that you can also apply by yourself in order to ensure that you obtain proper treatment. In the first place, you should intake as much natural sunlight as possible.  Likewise, even having an outdoor walk at noon is an effective measure. In addition, doing regular exercise has, in turn, been considered effective in getting rid of any depression-related issues. Among other measures that one needs to partake in is having a healthy balanced diet which would ensure that individuals consume all the necessary nutrients. Moreover, individual needs to ensure that they remain stress-free and, thus, live in an environment that is stress-free.  You will notice that there are several rehabilitative organisations, such as AFL Wellness that are known to provide a proper form of rehabilitation for the treatment of depression and similar mental ailments.

For serious cases, there is cognitive behaviour therapy which deals with the ideas which focus around the ideas how individuals are able to perceive and behave with regard to how the individual consumes drugs. Moreover, it is also important that individuals go through counselling and psychodynamic sessions, which play an assistive role in ensuring proper treatment. In extreme cases, it is common for individuals to consume antidepressants and other similar medicine.

In conclusion, these are some of the essential measures which can be taken to ensure that individuals are cured of their depression and mental health issues. However, if you are aware of people suffering from such issues, then it becomes important for people to get themselves checked into rehabilitative centres and thus they are able to ensure that they are cured themselves of mental health issues.