Title Risk factors and treatment approaches to seasonal affective disorder: a review /
Translation of Title Sezoninės depresijos rizikos faktoriai ir gydymas. Apžvalga.
Authors Jurgaitytė, V ; Dijokas, Justas ; Rimkevičiūtė, Paulina ; Khawaja, N
DOI 10.29014/ns.2020.03
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Is Part of Neurologijos seminarai.. Vilnius : Rotas. 2020, t. 24, Nr. 1, p. 26-34.. ISSN 1392-3064. eISSN 2424-5917
Keywords [eng] seasonal affective disorder ; seasonal depression ; subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder ; bright light therapy ; cognitive behavioural therapy
Abstract [eng] Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression which emerges seasonally, in winter or summer. This condition affects 1-2% of the general population; however, in regions more than 30 degrees of the equator, a higher proportion (10-20%) of people suffer from SAD. There is a milder form of SAD, subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD), which is known as “winter blues”. Besides environmental risk factors, such as day length and sunlight exposure, genetics and neurochemical changes in the brain also play a role in SAD patients showing that this disorder is heterogeneous. Imbalances in the circadian rhythm and dysregulation of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) have been identified as risk factors for symptomatic SAD. SAD symptoms can be diminished by bright light therapy, regulating patients’ circadian rhythms, and cognitive-behavioural therapy, which more indirectly focuses on alleviating depressive symptoms by allowing patients to actively manage how they perceive stress and anxiety. The paper compares effectiveness and safety of treatment methods against SAD.
Published Vilnius : Rotas
Type Journal article
Language English
Publication date 2020
CC license CC license description