Fall-onset SAD is also known as winter depression. Symptoms may begin in the late fall to winter, but begin to ease towards summer months.
Unlike fall-onset SAD, symptoms for spring-onset SAD begin in late spring and last till summer. Spring-onset SAD is also known as summer depression.
There are several biological and physiological reasons behind mood alterations during seasonal changes. One of these reasons is the change of light experienced during seasonal changes.
In the human body, the circadian clock monitors changes in the length of the day. It tells the body when it’s time to fall asleep and when it’s time to stay awake.
When there’s less light during the day, some processes affected by the circadian clock get disrupted. This can in turn disrupt our mood.
When SAD symptoms begin to disrupt daily activities and working abilities, it may be affecting your quality of life.
People with SAD often exhibit the following symptoms:
Positive thoughts can lead to a release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. In the same way, positive or negative physical sensations can also influence the mind.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a technique to help individuals control negative thought patterns. While treating SAD, a therapist will help you identify negative thoughts and walk you through replacing them with positive ones.
Before consulting a mental health facility like MBO, you may feel unsure about certain mental health conditions and anxious about seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatments. Our team is here to help answer any questions you may have so that you feel ready and empowered for treatment.
The goal of CBT is to identify patterns of negative thinking and examine contradicting evidence. Over time, a person can develop coping strategies to overcome negative thoughts.
CBT techniques may involve relaxation methods as a way to react to triggers. These relaxation techniques are soothing and help a patient to embrace therapeutic healing.
CBT doesn’t provide a quick fix to seasonal affective disorder. This therapy requires open-mindedness and patience in order to make progress. It’s important to be aware of the time seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatments may take until you start to see an improvement in symptoms.
The length of your CBT therapy is dependent on many factors, including the following:
Here are some helpful steps that help improve the chances of successful seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatments:
Be willing to openly share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with your therapist. This may take time, but the importance of building a trusting relationship with your therapist is important for recovery.
During treatment, you may start to lose motivation, especially when SAD symptoms start to flare up more intensely. When this happens, it’s important to discuss these feelings with your therapist in order to persevere on the path to recovery.
It’s not uncommon to want instant results and to feel worse during the initial stages of therapy. Our compassionate team at MBO is here to help you focus on long-term goals and where you want to see yourself in the future.
It’s important to apply therapeutic interventions in day-to-day living, and your therapist may suggest “homework” assignments to help you apply these practices in everyday situations.
Nutritional therapy can help provide your body with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and calories to prioritize your health needs.
Most symptoms of SAD relate to a lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the body. For instance, having suboptimal levels of Vitamin D3 can affect serotonin production, which may increase the risks of winter depression.
Since every individual has a unique lifestyle and health history, a personalized diet plan is vital for long-term wellness. MBO and our future nutritional counselors will help you determine the best plan forward for your needs.
In a customized dietary plan, the dietician or nutritionist takes note of the following factors:
Doing this helps with accommodating personal preferences to enhance mental well-being.
Customized dietary plans for mood regulation may include the following vitamin and mineral options:
As mentioned, many people experiencing SAD or other depression symptoms often have low levels of vitamin D. To increase a patient’s levels in the body, it’s advisable to consume supplements.
Other good sources include the following options:
Deficiency of this water-soluble vitamin may also affect the increase of depression symptoms in many individuals.
Some good sources of vitamin B12 include the following:
Low levels of folate are linked to depression. Good sources of this vitamin include the following options:
Medications such as sulfasalazine and methotrexate can interfere with B9 levels.
Good sources of vitamin C include:
Good niacin levels in the body can help improve mood and blood pressure. Sources of niacin include these dietary options:
At Mind Body Optimization, we prioritize tailored care during seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatments.
Curating a treatment plan involves more than therapists. We collaborate with psychiatrists and holistic practitioners for long-term success.
When it comes to medicine, one size doesn’t fit all. For this reason, we consider your individualized needs and preferences. Our team of medical professionals will work with you to source the best treatment outcomes.
Ensuring that your needs and symptoms are taken care of compassionately and skillfully is at the forefront of our practice. We value your story, seen through your lens. This philosophy is paired with our evidence-based and holistic treatment methods for sustainable wellness options.
At Mind Body Optimization, we’re here to help you optimize the possibility of total well-being. Our compassionate team of experts will walk you through the steps in overcoming SAD.
We are committed to providing necessary tools to manage SAD and other mental health conditions. By empowering individuals to reach their full potential, we create a healthier community.
Below are some of our highlighted treatment options at Mind Body Optimization:
For a full list of treatment options available, reach out to our team of wellness experts.
For whole-body seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatments, we offer these options:
Seasonal affective disorder can be a challenge to your mental health. If you or a loved one is experiencing seasonal affective disorder symptoms, contact us today.
