Is seasonal affective disorder real? Yes, of course.  

It affects 11 million people (about twice the population of Arizona) in the US each year. While doctors don’t know what exactly causes this condition, some factors can be the reasons for this condition like brain chemical imbalance, melatonin boost, vitamin D deficiency, etc. Mostly it’s triggered in the fall of winter or the end of spring or early summer.  

This condition is very treatable according to the symptoms you are experiencing. Mostly light therapy, antidepressants, or talk therapy is used to treat this condition.  

Log on to www.doralhw.org. to book an appointment. 

Treatment of seasonal affective disorder is done according to the symptoms you are experiencing, and how severe they are. Treatment can differ in the case of other types of depression or bipolar depression.   

Usually, treatment is given by medication, therapies, supplements, and home remedies or a combination of two or more.  

• Medications such as bupropion, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), etc. are used to treat depression or to change mood. These antidepressants are used when the symptoms occur with or without therapies. But these medications have some side effects too. So, before taking them consult with your doctor.  
• Therapies like Light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are used to treat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Light therapy can restore circadian rhythms, increase serotonin levels, and fulfill vitamin D deficiency. Many people who experience early symptoms can easily recover with light therapy while others need medications with this therapy to heal. In this therapy, a UV light lamp is used to light up the room where you are sitting. You need to sit 2 feet in front of the lamp for 10 to 15 minutes each day and other sometimes the session duration increases to 30 to 45 minutes each day. It works like a personal sun to help fulfill body requirements.  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy. This therapy is used to teach patients how they can cope with tricky situations. It changes their negative thoughts with positive thoughts about that season. Patients need to attend 2 sessions groups for 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) to replace negative thoughts about that season. While light therapy is more useful in treatments. CBT works effectively long on patients, especially people who experience winter pattern SAD.  
• Vitamin D supplements can be used to fulfill the requirements of vitamin D. But only use them when your requirement of vitamin D is not fulfilled with food items.  
• Home remedies like getting sunlight indoors or outdoors by opening windows, and doors or by walking outside in the winter season. Exercise regularly and sleep on time and avoid the blue screen of the TV, phone, or laptop to fall and sleep easily and get up at the scheduled time to avoid oversleeping and napping.  

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of disorder that happens only in a particular season. While it is not a serious condition, it makes you feel negative, depressed, and irritated, and sometimes gives you suicidal vibes. While the cause is still unknown you should note your symptoms and visit the doctor to confirm to start the treatment of Seasonal affective disorder. It depends on your symptoms and how long it will take to cure you.  

Doral Health and Wellness has the best Doctors and Psychiatrists that specialize in Behavioral health make accurate diagnoses, and craft tailored treatment programs. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.  

In order to schedule a consultation with the best Mental health Clinic in East New York, please call 1-347-384-5690 or visit www.doralhw.org.