Determining The Proper Diagnosis to Find Relief: The Difference in Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder vs Clinical Depression

 

As the winter months approach, many people will begin experiencing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD—also known as major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern—has many of the same symptoms of clinical depression, but there are significant differences. Similarly, while many of the treatments for seasonal affective disorder are the same as those used to treat clinical depression, other therapies are used only for SAD. Learning more about the whole range of treatments for seasonal affective disorder, including ketamine for depression, can help alleviate the depression that comes when the days begin to shorten and the skies darken.

Seasonal Affective Disorder vs. Clinical Depression

Seasonal affective disorder causes many of the same symptoms as clinical depression. People who suffer from either condition are likely to experience a depressed mood, excessive sleepiness, loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed, and hopelessness. For a diagnosis of depression with a seasonal pattern, however, a person must have experienced symptoms during a specific time of year for at least two years in a row. In addition, the depressive episodes they experience during that time of year must be significantly worse than any depressive episodes they experience outside of that season. For someone suffering from clinical depression, their depressive episodes are not tied to any specific time of year.

Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder and Clinical Depression

Generally speaking, seasonal affective disorder treatments and clinical depression treatments take the same approach. Talking with a therapist or using antidepressant medications are common (and often effective) treatments for both conditions.

That said, if you’ve been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, there are specific things you can do to help alleviate your symptoms that would not be used by someone suffering from clinical depression. The most notable of these treatments is called light therapy. In this treatment, the patient sits with a lamp known as a light box, which simulates missing sunlight. It’s believed that light therapy reduces your melatonin production and boosts your serotonin production. Even if you don’t try light therapy, getting as much natural sunlight as possible can help combat the symptoms of SAD.

Ketamine and Depression

If you’ve tried other treatments for seasonal affective disorder and haven’t noticed any improvement, then ketamine therapy might be a great option. Useful for people suffering from both SAD and clinical depression, ketamine infusions are a safe and effective option in combating depression, especially for people who’ve proved resistant to other treatments. One of the greatest benefits of ketamine for SAD is how rapidly the infusions begin to work. With antidepressants, the symptoms of SAD may already be waning by the time the medications take effect. Ketamine can alleviate symptoms within 1-2 infusions, with the results lasting for up to months at a time.

Contact Tahoe Ketamine

To find out more about ketamine therapy, contact Tahoe Ketamine. We’ve helped countless patients fight back against both seasonal affective disorder and clinical depression. Fill out the form below and get started today!

Contact us for more information about our IV Therapies at 530-208-9355 or by filling out the contact form below.

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