Seasonal Depression: 5 critical treatments you can implement today!

Data from the American Psychiatric Association shows roughly 5% of US adults experience seasonal depression, and it can last up to 40% of the year. Seasonal depression is more common than we realize, and that’s why it’s important to learn more about it and its specifics. That way, we get to prepare ourselves for any downsides while narrowing down the right treatments. Here’s what we need to consider!

What is seasonal depression?

The seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that appears as seasons change, and people need to adapt to weather changes, less/more sunlight, different temperatures, among others. Symptoms will appear mostly during the winter and fall when there’s less sunlight. However, seasonal depression can also be encountered during the spring and summer seasons.

As seasons change, our circadian rhythm experiences a shift, and our biological clock is forced to adapt to these new changes. That’s why it’s extremely important to understand these symptoms and what changes arise, but also find adequate treatment.

Who develops seasonal depression?

While millions of people experience seasonal depression, it’s very important to note that women experience it more often than men. Also, seasonal depression tends to be even more prevalent among people living in the farther north, where there’s very little sunlight, especially during the winter.

Another thing to note is that seasonal depression tends to be more common among people who have bipolar disorder or a depressive state. Moreover, seasonal depression can also develop in the case of people suffering from other mental disorders. These could include panic disorder, anxiety, eating, or hyperactivity disorders. In isolated incidents, it can also be a genetic occurrence.

What causes seasonal depression?

As mentioned earlier, seasonal depression can be caused by a chemical change that happens in our brains. According to this study, the different reasons include a change in our circadian rhythm, a dysregulation of serotonin (and other neurotransmitters), genetic factors, lower retinal sensitivity, and others. Daylight length and a lack of sun exposure could also lead to seasonal depression.

Seasonal depression symptoms

Usually, seasonal depression is characterized by recurring patterns. These symptoms shown below can last up to 4-5 months, sometimes even more than that. So, how can you determine if you have any seasonal affective disorder/depression? Here are some of the symptoms you should be looking for:

• A constant state of sadness, feeling empty, and that feeling lasts for over 2 weeks.
• You’re feeling pessimistic and lacking any type of hope
• Some people with seasonal depression have suicidal or death-related thoughts
• You experience cramps, digestive problems, and general pain, but that’s not connected to any physical cause.
• You undergo major weight changes, along with appetite and sleep changes. All of these are not coming from natural causes; and instead, they appear due to your mental state.
• You have major difficulties concentrating, and making any decisions is extremely challenging every single time.
• There’s a severe lack of interest in any activity, including hobbies that you usually liked.
• You feel restlessness, frustration, and a constant state of irritation.
• When it comes to winter-pattern seasonal depression, you might encounter oversleeping and overeating, but also social withdrawal.
• Summer-pattern depression has additional symptoms, including aggressive behavior, agitation, and poor appetite, along with insomnia.

These are only a few of the various seasonal depression symptoms that can appear. Every person can have different symptoms, but these aforementioned ones tend to be the most common. If you have any of these treatments, it’s imperative to talk with a medical professional and tackle these problems right away. If you leave it untreated, it can affect your mood, productivity, and happiness levels.

A medical professional will help with the diagnosis and see if you currently have seasonal depression. Generally, in order to be diagnosed with SAD, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You have multiple seasonal depression symptoms from the list shown above. In some cases, people develop season-specific symptoms, like summer or winter-pattern SAD.
• Depressive episodes occur for at least 2 years in a row.
• Those depressive episodes that take place during a specific season are more frequent when compared to other times throughout the year.

How can you treat seasonal depression?

Seasonal depression can vary in complexity, depending on the person. However, there are a few important treatments for you to try out.

Antidepressant medication

A very common treatment for seasonal depression comes in the form of antidepressants. Bupropion and other antidepressants can help immensely, but they do take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks until you can see any results. Additionally, you should only take antidepressants recommended by a medical professional. Randomly taking antidepressants is not recommended since not all of them might be a good fit for you. Instead, a medical expert will help identify the right medication to fit your specific case.

TMS therapy for seasonal depression

Also known as transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS therapy could improve major signs of depression. It uses magnetic fields as a means to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. A study proves the effectiveness of TMS therapy, as it was able to lower the core PTSD and depression symptoms, such as somatization, anxiety, and avoidance.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy could be a solution for people with seasonal depression. It usually requires group sessions that can take up to 6 weeks. The primary focus is to help replace negative thoughts, and it can help prevent or at least improve any signs of depression.

Light therapy

A lesser-known solution for seasonal depression comes in the form of light therapy. It’s been used since the 1980s to provide people suffering from SAD with the necessary bright light they require due to a lack of natural sunlight exposure. The way this treatment works is it exposes the patient to a bright light box of around 10000 lux, for around 30+ minutes on a daily basis.

These light boxes are 20x brighter when compared to regular outdoor lighting. However, unlike natural light, here all the UV light gets filtered. That makes light treatment therapy safe for all patients. One thing to note is that light therapy is not suitable for someone who has light sensitivities or eye problems.

Vitamin D supplements

One of the common issues that most people have when they undergo seasonal depression is vitamin D deficiency. In this case, using vitamin D supplements can be extremely helpful. These supplements can also be combined with the options mentioned above, including TMS therapy, light therapy, and so on.

Can you prevent seasonal depression?

Usually, it’s very important to stay active and eat a healthy diet; those things will always help. Additionally, you want to step outside and walk for at least 15-30 minutes a day. Staying hydrated will help as well. And since seasonal depression affects your mental health, it’s important to socialize. Connecting with others and preventing depression, anxiety, or stress can help as well.

Why should you work with Dr. Cyntrell Crawford to treat your seasonal depression?

Seasonal depression can have a very negative impact on our health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s important to take any symptoms seriously and connect with a medical professional as quickly as possible. Dr. Cyntrell Crawford has over 10 years of experience, during which he treated over 25000 patients, and he can assist with TMS therapy, medication, and other solutions. If you want comprehensive, professional mental health treatments in Reading, PA, all you have to do is schedule an appointment with Dr. Cyntrell Crawford today!