Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD )

Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD )
We must have experienced very bad mood and did not have the passion to do the activity. for some reason, maybe something reasonable. however, if the gloomy feeling that persist for some time and we can not enjoy the work that we used to do, we may experience seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type mental health disorders of mild depression that occurs at the same time every year. this is seasonal mood disorder. And such symptom of depression in bopolar disorder. If you feel the symptoms of weakening energy and feel moody at certain seasons, most likely you are experiencing this disorder.

This mental health disorder is a cyclic seasonal conditions that were encountered in countries subtropics. but these cases can also be found in those tropical countries. SAD symptoms can appear and disappear at the same time each year.

In subtropics countries, the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) usually appears at the end of autumn or early winter. and seasonal affective disorder symptoms usually disappears when the spring and summer. but there are some people who experience the opposite of this cycle. And become depression when spring or summer. These symptoms are mild some are worse throughout the year.

Cause SAD
Specific causes of SAD is still unknown. Some factors which may influence, among others:

1. Your biological clock (circadian rhythm).
Lack of sunlight in fall and winter may disrupt the body's internal clock that lets us know when to sleep or waking. This circadian rhythm disturbances can cause of depression.

2. Melatonin increases.
Seasonal changes may upset the hormone melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

3. Serotonin decreased.
Decrease in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, may also be influential in seasonal affective disorder. Reduced sunlight can cause a decrease in serotonin and can lead to depression.

Symptoms of SAD

Winter depression, SAD symptoms of the disorder include:

1. Depression
2. Feeling hopeless
3. Worry
4. Weakness, loss of energy
5. Withdraw
6. Many sleep
7. Losing interest in activities which are usually preferred
8. Changes in diet, want to consume foods high in carbohydrates
9. Weight gain
10. Difficulty concentrating and processing information

Summer depression, SAD symptoms of the disorder include:

1. Worry
2. Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
3. Irritable
4. Weight loss
5. Decreased appetite
6. Increased sex drive

In some people, spring and summer can bring on symptoms of mania or a less intense form of mania (hypomania). These disorders include mood increase, agitation, and a quick mind and words. The opposite of disorder SAD is a form of bipolar disorder. Signs and symptoms of the disorder among others:

1. Mood increased continuously
2. Increased social activity
3. Hyperactivity
4. Enthusiasm is not terkendalui

Care and treatment for Seasonal affective disorder
1. Light therapy.
In affective disorder light therapy or phototherapy, you sit a few feet from a special light therapy boxes so exposed to bright light. Light therapy mimics outdoor light and causes changes in brain chemical associated with mood. The treatment is simple to use and seems to have low side effects.

2. Drugs.
Some people with seasonal affective disorder benefit from treatment with antidepressants, especially if symptoms are severe. Drugs commonly used to treat seasonal affective disorder include: Bupropion, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

3. Psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy is another option for treating seasonal affective disorder. Despite the expected seasonal affective disorder associated with biochemical processes, mood and behavior symptoms can also be added. Psychotherapy can help you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that might make you feel worse. You can also learn healthy ways to cope with seasonal affective disorder and stress management.

Here are tips to help manage mental conditions to reduce the risk of SAD:
1. Stick to the plan of treatment.
    Taking medications as directed and attend therapy sessions as scheduled.
2. Take care of yourself.
3. Try to get enough rest.
4. Eat regular healthy meals.
5. Take time to relax.
6. Do not turn to alcohol or drugs without a prescription.
7. Perform stress management.
    Learn how to manage your stress better. Stress can cause depression, overeating, or other unhealthy   
    thoughts.
8. Sosialisation.
    When you feel depressed, it's hard to get along. Try to keep interacting with people around you. They can
     offer support, shoulder to cry on or a joke to give a little encouragement.
9. Streets.
    If possible, try a winter holiday when sunny. Warm location suitable for you who have the disorder SAD
    winter or cool location if you have summer SAD disorder.

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