Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression. Symptoms and treatments of seasonal (recurrent) depression.
Seasonal depression - the option of repeated (recurrent) depression. To include seasonal depression that developed during the autumn-winter season with some regularity - every year for at least 3 years.

Seasonal depression can manifest the same symptoms as depression, are not associated with specific seasons: low mood with a sense of longing or anxiety, a decline of interest in the environment, apathy, a sense of grim, hopelessness. Often these symptoms more pronounced in the first half of the day, while in the evening condition was improving.

More specific to seasonal depression are other symptoms. Patients suffering from seasonal depression, along with low mood, feelings of anxiety and a decrease in activity, experiencing sleepiness during the day and increasing appetite. During the Depression, they consume more foods rich in carbohydrates, added weight. Typically, decreasing the overall tone, there is a weakness, a variety of unpleasant sensations in the body.

Asthenic symptoms of seasonal depression following: feeling weak, weak, broken, general physical ailments. There are a variety of pain and unpleasant sensations in the body, reduces mental performance, deteriorating memory and attention. Characteristically, the severity of these symptoms almost do not depend on external pressure and are often more pronounced in the morning hours after awakening.

In the development of seasonal depression primary metabolic role of serotonin - biologically active substance to regulate mood. Experimental studies have shown that winter in the brain serotonin content is lower than in summer. An important regulator of the exchange of serotonin is melatonin - the active ingredient, the formulation of which depends on the amount of light.

The classic method for the treatment of seasonal depression is light. In addition, we prove the high efficacy of antidepressants with a specific effect on the exchange of serotonin in the brain. Prolonged use of these products allows us not only to cure the depression had already developed, but also to prevent their development in the future. As with other depressions, an important element of effective treatment is psychotherapy.