WHAT IS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Also called as seasonal depression which is triggered by the change in season and it commonly begins in fall season. This usually gets worse in late fall or early winters and tends to get better in starting of sunnier days of spring. Less common but individuals get a form seasonal affective depression called summer depression.

It is a mood disorder that tends to happen at same time period every year. Feeling little down during colder times is normal which is called “Winter Blue”. But Seasonal affective depression is beyond winter blues as it is a form of Depression.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER?

Proper cause of seasonal affective disorder is not known but some factors that may trigger it are :

• Chemical Imbalance in Brain : Brain chemicals called Neurotransmitters helps to send communication signals between nerves. These chemicals also include serotonin which is known as happy hormone which is regulated by sunlight. Due to lack of sunlight in winters the serotonin levels fall further which leads to Seasonal Affective disorder.
• Change in body Biological clock: The biological clock helps to regulate sleep, mood and hormones in person. Due to reduction of daylight in winters there is shift in biological clock. Due to this person is out of steps with day to day schedule.
• Deranged Melatonin levels : Lack of sunlight in winters also effects the production of melatonin. Melatonin affects the mood and sleeping pattern of the person thus overproduction of melatonin leads to person feeling sleepy and sluggish in winters.
• Vitamin-D deficiency: Vitamin-D boost the production of serotonin . Sunlight helps in formation of vitamin-D in body and in winters due to shorter days leads to vitamin-D deficiency. Low level of Vitamin-D also effects serotonin level and your mood.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER ?

• History of another mood disorder like Bipolar disorder etc
• Family history of SAD or any kind of mental health conditions like Schizophrenia etc.
• Gender : Women are more at risk of developing Seasonal affective disorder than men.
• Geography : Individual living in areas far north or far south from equator with less daylight in winters

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER ?

It has similar symptoms like depression but the major difference is symptoms usually starts as winters approach and subsides with start of spring time.

• Anxiety and Stress
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Weight gain
• Craving for carbohydrate rich foods.
• Feeling agitated or irritated
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feeling of heaviness in arms and legs.
• Sleeping problems
• Feeling sad most of the day , almost every day.
• Trouble in concentration
• Loss of interest in hobbies and daily activities
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Crying without reason
• Social withdrawal

SELF-CARE TO PREVENT SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER :

• Exposure to Natural sunlight : Getting adequate sunlight helps to improve biological clock, serotonin production and Vitamin-c production thus improving symptom of seasonal affective disorders.
• Regular sleep cycle : Quality sleep also affect the mood of the person. So try to make sleep routine which helps to improve the symptoms and prevent them from worsening.
• Regular Exercise : Regular physical activities helps to regulate mental as well as physical health of the person.
• Socializing : Social interaction helps to divert the negative thoughts and is a significant factor in providing protection against depression.
• Healthy Diet and Vitamin Supplements : Eating diet rich in nutrients helps to maintain a balanced body-mind connection. Taking daily vitamin supplements also helps to maintain body and mind health to counter the symptoms of depression.

AYURVEDIC APPROACH :

Concept of Rtucharya in Ayurveda  has explained the variation of doshas in different  seasons and possible disease which might happen due to variation in doshas. Doshas undergoes stage of accumulation in one season, Stage of aggravation in next and Auto-pacification of dosha in next season.

As said before  Seasonal affective disorder  usually starts in late winter.  According to ayurveda fall happens to be junction of Sharad and Hemanta Ritu.

• Aggravated pittta in Sharad ritu subsides naturally in hemanta ritu along side there is accumulation of Kapha in Hemanta ritu.
• With the accumulation of Kapha it takes over the body and there is slowing down of mental and physical activities.
• It is a natural process and Kapha will come in normal stat in Spring season.
• If seasonal regime is not followed properly the symptoms of kapha increase will be severe leading to development of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDIC CENTER MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

1. Brodley Syrup:

This syrup maintains the overall activity of the brain. As the herbs used for the preparation of this syrup are Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), etc. These all acts as a mind relaxant. The use of this syrup provides good results to the dementia patient. This syrup has the best memory boosting power and helps in increasing the blood flow to the brain. It is used as an antioxidant that increases retention power

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

2. Mann Mitra tablet:

Mann Mitra tablet is herbal and purely ayurvedic medicine. It is used in Ayurvedic treatment for psychiatric conditions and help to balance all the three doshas of body i.e vata, pitta, kapha. CAC Mann Mitra tablet improves intelligence and speech problems. It is helpful for making the nervous system strong and nerves as well. It contains various herbs like Bala, Vacha, Shankhpushpi, Nagkeshar etc that help you fight insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It works as a antioxidant, anti depressant, immuno booster, anti epileptic and as neuro protective drug.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a day with normal water.

3. Rasayan Vati:

Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral Ayurvedic formulation which contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi, Abhrak Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, , Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Brahmi, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immune-modulator properties. These tablets provides good results in General debility, Psychological disorders, and improves immunity.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

4. Calm Sleep tablet:

Calm sleep tablet is an amazing combination of natural herbs like bhang, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi. It helps to relieve stressful conditions. They help to pacify the nervous system and also helps to calm minds and make your body relax and light. In Ayurveda when there is an imbalance of three energies i.e. vata, pitta and Kapha, it leads to disease. Vata has a sub dosha named prana doshas which regulates the sensory perception, brain, and mind. calm sleep tablets is effective in depression, anxiety, insomnia, amnesia, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and hypertension.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice a daily.

5. Brain relaxant churna:

This churna is a pure Ayurvedic preparation which contains Amla (Emlica officinalis), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Haldi (Curcuma longa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Suddha gandhak, Lauha bhasma, etc. It is mainly used for the treatment of psychiatric conditions, speech problems, to improve the intelligence and also beneficial in sleep disturbances, panic attacks, phobia, and relieves stress.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablespoonful twice daily.

6. Stress care tablet:

Stress care tablets are pure herbal formulation prepared from ingredients like Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentine), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostacys jatamansi).The herbs used for formulation of these tablets show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-depressant, & immune-modulator properties. These herbal tablets gives good result in Stress, Depression, Anxiety, All neurological disorders, Increases intelligence, and Improves memory.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.