Seattle SAD Seasonal Depression Treatment

Aubra Taylor
MA, LMHC
206.414.1717

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To be diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder a person must first meet the DSM-IV criteria for a Major Depressive Episode. This means that during that same two-week period the person should exhibit at least five of the symptoms listed below nearly every day. One of the symptoms should be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure and the symptoms should represent a change from previous functioning. Furthermore, symptoms should not be considered if they are clearly due to a medical condition, mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations. The symptoms are:

- Depressed mood (or alternatively can be irritable mood)

- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all,

activities

- Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain, or

decrease/increase in appetite

- Insomnia or hypersomnia

- Psychomotor agitation or retardation

- Fatigue

Most commonly, these symptoms begin in the fall, are most challenging in winter, and reduce with the onset of Spring. During other month’s of the year, a person's mood may be normal, or at least will not meet criteria for depression. Moodiness and fatigue are the most common symptoms of this disorder, and can be often treated with counseling, medications, and phototherapy (light therapy).

If you feel that you or someone you care about may be suffering from this condition, feel free to let me know if I may be of assistance.

To setup an appointment, Click Here to Book Online, Click Here for my contact form, call 206.414.1717, or email info@StartingTherapy.com.

To learn more about other depression disorders, please Click Here.

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Downtown Seattle

Seattle Seasonal Depression Treatment

Aubra Taylor, MA, LMHC

-Collaborative, Compassionate, and Focused
-Located in Downtown Seattle
-$80/50-Minute Session
-Click here to view my availability

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD):

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that is associated with changes in the season and weather. In terms of diagnosis, "seasonal pattern" is a specifier used to provide additional diagnostic information to identify a regular pattern of the depressive episodes associated with seasons. For example, a person could receive the following diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode, Moderate, with Seasonal Pattern).

Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be associated with a disturbance in the circadian rhythm of the body, and that the amount of light entering the eyes influences this thythm. When light is scarce, the pineal gland promotes melatonin, which promotes drowsiness. When light is abundant, the production of melatonin is reduced or ceased.

During the shortest days of Winter, many people will spend the majority of daylight hours in an office which may or may not have access to light. This is theorized to exacerbate the normal responses to decreased sunlight in the Winter. In addition, a reduction in sunlight exposure can result in reduced levels of serotonin, an integral neurotransmitter. Low levels of serotonin is often associated with anxiety and/or depression symptoms.

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