Seasonal Depression Research Paper

Seasonal depression occurs only at a certain time of the year, usually winter, because the number of daylight hours is lower. Another form of depression is psychotic depression, which is when depression and hallucinations are experienced at the same time. They all have different symptoms and should be approached differently to receive the correct treatment.

This paper is intended to be a critical view of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In order to understand fully the biological and psychological components of the disease, as well as its possible causes and treatments, it is necessary to compile and interpret previously conducted research. Such is the purpose of this paper. First, the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder will be explained and illustrated using data and case studies. Second, the possible causes of the disease will be outlined. Third, proposed treatments will be presented as possible solutions to this debilitating disease.

episodes of fall/winter depression alternating with periods of spring/summer euthymia (norma l mood) or hypomania (mild elation and behavioral activation)” (2). There has been much research done to support the SAD and to find effective treatments for the annual malady such as bright light therapy. SAD generally occurs in the winter months, beginning around November and ending around March. People with symptoms of SAD differ from regular depressives in that winter depressive; have fewer suicidal tendencies, a less negative mood, fewer signs of dependency and less self-criticism. Symptoms of SAD include overeating, weight gam,

In another study involving twelve adult participants between the ages of 18-59 who had a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder, light therapy was found to help correct the natural melatonin secretion cycle (Rice, Mayor, Tucker, & Bielski, 1995). Melatonin is a hormone secreted at nighttime by the pineal gland, and plays a role in human sleep and wake cycles by aiding the process of sleep.

The major diagnostic symptoms related to SAD are recurring periods of depression and mood change throughout several years of seasonal changes. Other symptoms include nighttime carbohydrate craving (sugars, starches and alcohol) and weight gain, irritability and anxiety, an inability to focus, guilt, lethargy, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and decreased sexual appetite (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9). Many of these symptoms are easily confused with

When this mechanism does not work correctly we experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), winter blues and, increasingly, non-seasonal depression (aka social jetlag). The typical symptoms of these conditions are depressed mood, lack of energy, carbohydrate craving and weight gain. These are exactly the symptoms expressed by teenagers for the following reason:

Severe depression is a mental disorder that is characterized by unusually low moods that may impact the actions and reactions of the person affected by it. This disorder impacts the lives of roughly 6.7% of Americans over the age of 18 (National Institute of Mental Health). Whether from genetics or from the environment a person lives in, depression is a disorder that can almost halt the function of a person. This debilitating illness can change a person completely, taking them from a seemingly happy and content person to someone whose very life may be at risk.

Having dealt with this myself, I know that it can majorly deteriorate the mental health of the sufferer. It starts out as feeling slightly fatigued and wanting to sleep more, and increases at a rapid rate to sometimes severe side effects, like suicidal thoughts or actions. Other symptoms and signs to look for are a weight gain, loss of interest, tiredness, difficulty concentrating and staying on task, and thoughts of hopelessness and worry (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017). While not all of these symptoms are applicable to all sufferers, many people face these obstacles through the entirety of winter. In the cases of SAD in the summer, symptoms are generally the opposite. Things to pay attention to in the summer are troubles sleeping, weight loss, anxiety and restlessness (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017). Though these two types of Seasonal Affective Disorder are fairly contradictory symptome wise, they both affect many people ver

Most wonder why they become so sad in some seasons. That is simple to understand there is a disorder called "Seasonal Affective Disorder". When the seasons change so does your mood. Winter comes and most sit, so some get a little depressed. Scientists say it is because usually they are stuck in their homes ad think. Most sit in their homes watching everything change, and watch things go by so slow. According to the article Seasonal Affective Disorder,

Mood disorders can often be treated with success. Treatment may include three types of it: First the Antidepressant, and mood stabilizing medications -- especially when combined with psychotherapy have shown to work very well in the treatment of depression. Second the Psychotherapy, most often cognitive - behavioral and/or interpersonal therapy. This therapy is focused on changing the person’s distorted views of himself or herself and the environment around him or her. It also helps to improve interpersonal relationship skills, and identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them. Third the Family therapy, other therapies, such as electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial stimulation. Families play a vital supportive role in

Atypical Depression is not typical. People with Atypical depression feel agitated, and they over eat, and sleep. They are also very sensitive to rejection. Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as S.A.D, affects people during certain parts of the seasons. Seasonal changes in sunlight typically make people become depressed in the fall and winter months, because of the loss of sunlight. Symptoms can include fatigue, excessive sleep, and increased appetite. The treatment for this type of disorder is pretty simple; sit in the sunlight, or sit in front of a special light almost like the

A common sleeping disorder that disrupts the circadian rhythm is the delayed sleep phase disorder. Since this disorder is common and seen in many individuals it is important for the general public to understand the severe health effects that it can have on the body. Based off of three peer reviewed, scholarly articles: “Delayed Circadian Phase is Linked to Glutamatergic Functions in Young People with Affective Disorders: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study” 1, “Out of Synch with Society: An Update on Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder” 2, and “Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder Rise is Associated with Absenteeism and Impaired Functioning” 3, this disorder has been researched upon and tested to determine how it affects the body internally and

Different times of the day will determine how many alerts a person will be. The level of mental alertness of a person may be high in the morning, and at that moment the person should do the most important task of the day when the level is high. On other times the level of alertness is low, and at these times of the day, the biological clock dictates that one should take rest and do the less important tasks of the day (Alice, 2012). The lengths of the circadian rhythm differ from one person to another. The rhythms may sometimes become longer or shorter depending on the conditions of the body. For example, an individual can have metabolic disorders or illness such as depression which can affect the length of the circadian

There isn’t exactly a “cure” for depression but there are things that can help with your emotions and anxiety. There is a type of depression called “sad” and it stands for seasonal affected disorder and during winter when it is a little dull outside people can start to feel depressed and overwhelmed. Doctors can have them get a special light for their houses to make them think it’s brighter and sunnier. There are also types of medicines but they won’t cure depression they will just help settle the

What comes first to mind when picturing winter or summer? Does summer make you think of ice cream and having fun on beaches whereas winter brings up memories of cold and uninviting scenery? If so, you may be one of the many people diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder- S.A.D. for short. But- the question still lingers- Is Seasonal Affective Disorder real or can people just not handle the cold? Seasonal Affective Disorder is not a real disorder rather it is a growingly recognized characteristic of discomfort with the cold seasons in the indistinctive population. While S.A.D. was long not taken as a serious diagnosis it recently gained attention and a growing amount of scientific papers- such as- "reverse seasonal affective disorder" (3), "seasonal affective disorder in children and adolescents" (9), "seasonal premenstrual syndrome" ( 10), seasonal battering of women (I I) and a “hypothesized seasonal obesity disorder” (12) (All referenced in the attached article) referred to S.A.D. as a citation for seasonal disorders.