Nearly everyone experiences a bout of depression during their lifetime. It may even start as stress and not make you feel unhappy, just off. Depression may last most of your life, for a few years or a few months. How long your depression lasts plays a significant role in seasonal affective disorder. If you’re suffering from seasonal depression, our depression treatment programs can help. Contact Springfield Wellness Center today at 844.334.4727.
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Depression Treatment Programs
Major depression comes in a variety of forms. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is one of them. Many people in the United States population have an officially diagnosed case of this disorder. Others suffer from a milder form of seasonal depression called the winter blues, which is not as severe as a seasonal affective disorder. Both of these conditions can develop in anyone who lives in a state with a colder climate.
The terms seasonal depression and winter blues are used for these types of depression because they usually appear in the late fall and disappear in the spring. These conditions tend to recur each year if you live in the same location. If you were to move to a warmer climate, they very well might disappear.
Several other forms of depression can make your seasonal symptoms much worse. That includes atypical depression and situational depression.
Atypical depression doesn’t seem to have a clear underlying cause. If something positive happens in your life, your depression symptoms may go away.
Situational depression occurs when a situation that upsets you greatly comes along, such as divorce, loss of a job, or anything that significantly affects your mood. The good news is when the problem resolves, the depression goes away.
Luckily, help is available for all types of depression. This help comes from well-designed depression treatment programs.
SAD Symptoms That Call for a Depression Anxiety Treatment Center
People with SAD may experience a variety of signs or symptoms. The most common signs include:
- Lack of interest that affects your job, social life, hobbies, or family life
- Chronic fatigue
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Lack of concentration
Chronic fatigue can make you feel like not getting out of bed, sleeping more frequently, taking naps, or all the above. Insomnia can be just as bothersome. Your mind is always going, and the lack of sleep can make you irritable and contribute to an unusual sleep pattern. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss, while overeating can lead to weight gain. Lack of concentration can make it difficult, if not impossible, to make logical decisions or perform daily tasks at home or work.
Not everyone has the same signs of SAD. To receive a diagnosis, you must have symptoms for at least two consecutive weeks. These symptoms must also significantly impair your ability to function. Be aware that you may not have SAD. Instead, you may have symptoms of the winter blues that don’t meet the criteria for a SAD diagnosis.
SAD in the Summer
Most people associate seasonal depression with the fall and winter months. However, there are actually two forms of SAD: a winter pattern and a summer pattern. Summer-pattern SAD is less common than winter-pattern SAD. It also produces some different symptoms. Examples of these symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, and weight loss caused by a poor appetite. You may also experience feelings of agitation and restlessness. In addition, some people with summer-pattern SAD experience bouts of violent behavior.
Experts believe that winter-pattern SAD often goes undiagnosed. This is even more true for summertime seasonal depression. No one knows for sure why winter-pattern SAD occurs. But researchers know that it’s associated with changing sleep habits.
How a Wellness Center for Depression Can Help
Seasonal affective disorder is not a condition you should ignore. There is no reliable scientific proof yet that the condition can be prevented. However, a wellness center for depression can ease its symptoms. Forms of treatment you may receive include:
- Vitamin D
- Low-dose antidepressants
- A form of structured light exposure called light therapy
Some doctors suggest their patients plan a two-week vacation to someplace warm during the mid-cycle point of the winter season. This can help you boost your vitamin D levels and break up the seasonal depression, as well as the stress that comes with it.
Seek Depression Treatment Programs at Springfield Wellness Center
Depression of any kind can contribute to your risks for substance abuse and suicide. Don’t let seasonal affective disorder control your life. Call us at 844.334.4727, or contact us online or visit our website Springfield Wellness Center for help today. Our depression anxiety treatment center supports effective recovery from all forms of depression.