Seasonal affective disorder: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the winter period and causes symptoms such as sadness, excessive sleep, increased appetite and difficulty concentrating.

This disorder happens more in people who live in places where the winter lasts a long time, with the symptoms improving as the season changes and the amount of sunlight increases.

However, when the symptoms are very uncomfortable it is necessary to consult a psychiatrist who can indicate some types of treatment such as phototherapy, medications, psychotherapy and natural treatment.

Main symptoms

The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are very similar to those of depression, the big difference being that they happen mainly in winter, and can be:

• Sadness; Irritability; Anxiety; Difficulty concentrating; Excessive tiredness; Too much sleep; Increased appetite; Feelings of guilt; Reduced libido; Decreased interest in leisure activities.

Symptoms vary from person to person and tend to decrease when the winter ends and there is an increase in exposure to sunlight, however, it is necessary to consult a psychiatrist to indicate the most appropriate treatment if the symptoms are very intense.

In addition, in some cases, symptoms may continue even with the arrival of summer and, therefore, follow-up with a psychiatrist who will assess the presence of common depression should be followed. See what can cause depression.

Possible causes

The main causes of the appearance of seasonal affective disorder are related to the decrease in body substances linked to mood and sleep, such as serotonin and melatonin. These substances tend to decrease in periods when the days are shorter and, consequently, there is less exposure to sunlight.

However, the body also produces vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight, so another cause related to seasonal affective disorder is that during winter there is less sunlight and vitamin D levels in the body decrease, causing more sleep and feeling of excessive tiredness.

In addition, some risk factors may be linked to the appearance of seasonal affective disorder, such as people who live in darker and colder places, who work in more closed and dark places and who have a personal or family history of depression.

How the treatment is done

Some types of treatments can be indicated for seasonal affective disorder, such as:

1. Phototherapy

Phototherapy is a type of treatment that consists of applying bright light on the person as a substitute for sun exposure. This type of treatment is highly recommended and, sometimes, it should be used in conjunction with medications.

It is performed in hospitals and specialized clinics, where the person is sitting or lying down receiving bright light on the skin, for a period of 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the strength of the light and the treatment time depends on the doctor's indication. Understand more about how phototherapy is done.

However, some side effects can be seen such as eye irritation, restlessness and headaches, so it is important to always contact a doctor.

2. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, especially the type called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can assist treatment for seasonal affective disorder. This type of therapy is performed by a psychologist, in which, it is focused on the development of mood and behavior and consists of helping the person to understand and control his emotions in different situations.

Psychotherapy sessions can be done individually or in groups depending on the psychologist's indication, and reflection exercises can be performed to help identify negative feelings, and breathing exercises to promote relaxation.

3. Medicines

Some medications may be indicated by the doctor to treat seasonal affective disorder, such as antidepressants. Some antidepressants, such as bupropion, increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, thereby reducing symptoms such as sadness and excessive tiredness.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe supplementation with vitamin D to regulate the levels of this vitamin in the blood, the amount to be used will depend on each person.

4. Natural treatment

Natural treatment is used in conjunction with other types of treatment and can improve symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Thus, it is necessary to take homemade measures such as keeping the windows, blinds and curtains open during the day, as well as sitting next to the window to be in contact with the sun's rays.

There are also home remedies indicated to treat this type of disorder, such as St. John's wort, rodiola or kava-kava tea. These extracts can also be found in formulas with capsules and their dosage should always be recommended by the doctor or herbalist.

In addition, it is important to do activities outdoors, such as hiking, and maintain a healthy and balanced diet rich in vitamin D. Discover the main foods that contain vitamin D