Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year. This type of depression is related to changes in seasons and begins and ends at about the same times every year. In short, it is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. SAD is sometimes known as winter depression because the signs and symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. The treatment for seasonal affective disorder may include psychotherapy, light therapy, and medications. SAD is a subtype of bipolar disorder. More than 15 to 22% of people around the world diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience seasonal patterns in their symptoms.
Seasonal affective disorder is a mental health condition that is triggered by the changing of the seasons. SAD usually starts during adulthood. The risk of SAD increases with age. It’s rare in people under age of 20. Women are affected more often than men. Thus, there is an increasing demand for safe & effective seasonal affective disorder treatment. Antidepressants are thought to be most effective if taken at the start of winter before symptoms appear, and continued until spring. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred type of antidepressant for treating SAD. Antidepressant and mood stabilizing drugs, combined with psychotherapy, have shown to work very well in the treatment of depression.
As per report published by Coherent Market Insights, Seasonal Affective Disorder Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 544.7 million in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2020-2027).
While the winter is often associated with seasonal affective disorder, a good bit of literature on SAD neglects to mention that a disorder can occur in any season, including spring and summer. SAD, more recently known as major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, mostly affects people in the winter months. However, some people can experience it in the spring and summer.In spring and summer, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder usually fade away. However, some people may experience milder symptoms at first, and they become worse as the season goes on. Seasonal affective disorder can also be hereditary. Some people are predisposed to the condition due to their genes, and thus, it is important to seek medical advice.
Many people experience symptoms of Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, at some point in their lives. It’s more common in women than men and can start in early adulthood. However, there are many things one can do to minimize the symptoms and live a happier, more balanced life. SAD usually develops in people who live at higher latitudes or farther from the equator. The less sunlight in these regions makes the biological clock shift, affecting sleep, mood, and hormone levels. Serotonin is a brain chemical that communicates with nerves and contributes to feelings of happiness. The lack of sunlight during winter months makes serotonin levels drop and symptoms become worse. Symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the cause.
Light therapy is one of the first line treatments for fall-onset SAD. Research on light therapy is limited, but it appears to be effective for most people in relieving symptoms of SAD. Light therapy has been shown to be effective in around 85 percent of SAD cases.
