Could it Be Seasonal Affective Disorder? With so many nuances to mental illness, how does one know what they are feeling?
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Wondering if you have a mental health disorder? Maybe you have a mental illness and don’t even know it? I mean, if you did, how would you know? With so many nuances and technical criteria, it can be difficult to know when to seek out a mental health professional. They can help you to discover if how you are feeling is temporary or more long-term and you just didn’t realize it.
Phew….. “Wait…. Do I have a mental illness?” Again, if in doubt, seek out a therapist who can help you make the determination. So, whatever you do, please don’t use the internet to self-diagnose. Furthermore, don’t take anything I write here as a definitive diagnosis. It is, in fact, for informational purposes only.
However, you can, if you know where to look, find credible information. Like here on The Road To Mental Wellness blog.
Note: One should never use a non-credentialed social media “influencer” to make a diagnosis for you. Or to lead you to believe you have a mental illness. I cannot highlight enough just how serious the repercussions can be. For a more comprehensive read go to the article below from Psychology Today
Read: How to Counter TikTok’s Mental Health Misinformation
Some of the credible research organizations on the internet
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
- Institute of Medicine (IOM)
- Max Planck Society
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- The Rockefeller University
- Harvard Medical School
Ok, so let’s narrow our focus. One of the more confusing mental states, or so I think, is depression. In my last article, Is it the blues or depression? I talked about the differences between the two. So, today I thought I would write about another confusing state of being. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during specific seasons, usually during the fall and winter months. It affects millions of people globally, and while the exact cause is not known, several factors are believed to play a role, including decreased sunlight exposure, changes in circadian rhythm, and fluctuations in serotonin and melatonin levels.
Symptoms of SAD can include:
- Low mood and feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
- Decreased energy and fatigue
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Difficulty sleeping
- Social withdrawal and decreased interest in activities
Diagnosis of SAD is based on the presence of these symptoms during specific seasons for at least two consecutive years. In some cases, a pattern of seasonal depression may be apparent even if the symptoms are not severe enough to meet the full criteria for SAD.
Treatment for SAD typically involves a combination of light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. Light therapy involves exposure to bright artificial light for a specific amount of time each day, which can help regulate circadian rhythm and improve mood. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help individuals learn coping skills and identify negative thought patterns that contribute to their depression. Antidepressant medication may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
It is important to seek professional help if you experience symptoms of SAD, as left untreated it can lead to serious complications. They include an increased risk of substance abuse, suicide, and overall poor quality of life.
Jonathan speaking at the
On February 23, 2023
His talk was on the ways in which you can take back your life when you have trauma and major depressive disorder
Now, you can watch Jonathan Speak at the Stop Depression Summit – FREE!
I was honored to be part of such a wonderfully resource rich summit with some of the foremost experts in the field.
In conclusion, SAD is a real and treatable condition that affects millions of people worldwide. With proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals with SAD can successfully manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Treatment options for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) include:
1. Light therapy (phototherapy): involves exposure to bright artificial light to simulate sunlight
2. Psychotherapy: talk therapy with a mental health professional can help identify and manage negative thought patterns related to SAD
3. Antidepressant medication: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for SAD
4. Vitamin D supplementation: vitamin D levels can be low in individuals with SAD, and supplementation may help alleviate symptoms
5. Exercise: regular physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety
6. Healthy lifestyle changes: maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, eating a balanced diet, and reducing stress can help manage symptoms of SAD.
To recap, treatment for SAD typically involves a combination of light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. Light therapy involves exposure to bright artificial light for a specific amount of time each day, which can help regulate circadian rhythm and improve mood. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help individuals learn coping skills and identify negative thought patterns that contribute to their depression. Antidepressant medication may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
It is important to seek professional help if you experience symptoms of SAD, as left untreated it can lead to serious complications. They include an increased risk of substance abuse, suicide, and overall poor quality of life.
Finally, it comes down to one simple phrase – When in doubt get checked out. Moreover, don’t suffer, and most importantly, don’t self-diagnose.
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