Does The Weather Really Affect Your Mood?
Does the weather affect your mood?
Not only does this question affect everyone’s mood, but it also affects our health. When the weather changes abruptly, your body has a much harder time adjusting, so it is going to put extra work on your immune system. If you are experiencing extreme seasonal changes in your state of mind, consult your psychiatrist in Rhode Island and Massachusetts at Revive Therapeutic Services.
"Yes, weather can affect mood."
The short answer is yes, weather can affect mood. How much it affects you depends on how sensitive you are to the temperature and how much control you have over your environment. Temperature is one of the most obvious factors in determining how a person’s mood will shift. A change in temperature can cause people to feel more energetic or lethargic, depending on the extremity of the change. For example, if it’s hot outside (90 degrees Fahrenheit), you may be more likely than usual to want to sleep all day long instead of going for a run or taking out the trash as usual. On the other hand, if it’s chilly outside (60 degrees Fahrenheit), you might be tempted by an afternoon trip to your favorite café with friends instead of opting for another day spent indoors with Netflix.
"Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year, most commonly in winter."
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year, most commonly in winter. The individual’s symptoms may be serious enough to cause significant problems in social or occupational functioning, or require hospitalization or medication. SAD also tends to have a seasonal onset and chronic course with episodes that last from several weeks up to months.
The causes of SAD are unknown, but it is thought to be due to abnormal light exposure that disrupts circadian rhythms—the biological processes that occur within our bodies on a regular cycle.
"Seasonal affective disorder typically begins in the late fall and early winter months when the days grow much shorter, and continues into the winter months."
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. The symptoms of SAD are similar to those experienced by people with clinical depression, but they’re triggered by changes in the seasons instead of an event or short-term problem.
"It can be difficult to diagnose seasonal affective disorder because it mimics symptoms of clinical depression or bipolar disorder."
It can be difficult to diagnose seasonal affective disorder because it mimics symptoms of clinical depression or bipolar disorder.
People with these conditions often experience dramatic mood swings, and the severity of their symptoms varies depending on the time of year. SAD sufferers, however, typically tend to experience more severe changes in mood during winter months than at other times of the year.
"When diagnosing SAD, your physician will likely conduct a physical exam and may order lab tests to rule out other medical conditions."
When diagnosing SAD, your physician will likely conduct a physical exam, and may order lab tests to rule out other medical conditions. Your doctor may also take into account the weather when considering your symptoms. For example, if you have been feeling more tired and irritable during a time of year in which you usually feel energized, this could be an indicator that SAD is present in addition to other underlying factors like chronic fatigue syndrome or seasonal allergies.
If you suspect that you might have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible so that your doctor can determine an appropriate treatment plan for reducing its symptoms.
"Treatment for seasonal affective disorder is similar to treatment for other depressive disorders."
When you experience SAD, your doctor may recommend light therapy. Light therapy involves exposing your eyes to bright light for a certain amount of time each day. Exposure to this type of light helps make your body feel less depressed and is often used as a stand-alone treatment or as an adjunct to antidepressant medication.
Antidepressants are another option for treating seasonal affective disorder. These drugs help change the levels of chemicals in the brain that control moods and feelings so that you feel more cheerful and relaxed. A variety of antidepressants are available, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor) and bupropion (Wellbutrin). Your doctor can help choose which is right for you based on your symptoms, medical history, and other factors.
"If you are experiencing extreme season changes in your state of mind, consult your doctor."
If you are experiencing extreme season changes in your state of mind, consult your psychiatrists in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, talk to psychiatrists in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If you have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), talk to psychiatrists in Rhode Island and Massachusetts about treatment options.