What is seasonal affective disorder and how can Neurofeedback benefit those who are experiencing it?
As the seasons begin to change, so can our moods.
Have you ever stopped and thought about how much different you feel during the colder months? This is much more common than people realize. While some people refer to this as seasonal depression, and others may call it "the winter blues," this phenomenon is known in the medical field as Seasonal Affective Disorder.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as SAD is a type of depression that ebbs and flows through the seasons (2022). According to the American Psychiatric Association. research has shown that there is a connection between SAD and a biochemical imbalance in the brain. This is caused by the shortened hours of daylight in the winter months (2020). There are many symptoms that may be included with SAD.
Symptoms of SAD include:
Feelings of sadness
withdrawing socially
anxiety
irritability
Fatigue
Feelings of hopelessness
loss of interest in things once enjoyed
Change of appetite, often overeating
Change in sleep, often too much sleep
Difficulties with concentration
Difficulties with decision-making
Decreased sex drive
And even suicidal ideation
When does Seasonal Affective Disorder Occur
Many of these symptoms may look like other mental health disorders. Unlike many mental health disorders, these symptoms come and go around the same time each year. Onset for these symptoms usually begins towards the end of fall and ends mid to end of spring. While in most cases many of these symptoms fade on their own, there are still many ways to keep symptoms at bay during the challenging winter months. One of which is Neurofeedback.
"Neurofeedback can help individuals
through the dreary Winter months."
What is Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, medication-free therapy that can create long-lasting positive change in individuals by addressing unbalanced patterns of electrical activity within the brain. The first step is a qEEG Brain Map which is where we collect brain wave activity and use a normalized database to create maps. We can see if someone has too much or too little of a certain type of brain wave activity and see how the areas of the brain are communicating with each other. We use this information to develop a training plan. During training sessions, the client’s brain is guided to reach a calm, healthy state. The brain can then stabilize and become well-regulated.
Neurofeedback & SAD
Here are Colorado Center for Neurofeedback we can help those who are struggling through the cold winter months through Neurofeedback. Neurofeedback has been proven to have a positive effect on those struggling with many of the same symptoms that are included in SAD. Depression, even seasonal, has been shown to present higher alpha activity in the left hemisphere of the brain (Fernández-Alvarez et al., 2021). This imbalance is something we address in Neurofeedback. Our team of board certified neurotherapists are dedicated to helping you feel the most like yourself this upcoming winter. Fight the Winter blues with Neurofeedback here at Colorado Center for Neurofeedback.
Contact us
Talk with one of our board certified neurotherapists here in the Denver Metro area and Evergreen. If you or someone you know is struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, schedule a free consultation to discuss a treatment plan that is right for you. Feel free to give us a call at 720-531-0265 for our Wheat Ridge office, or 303-670-3931 for our Evergreen office. Let's create a better winter together.
References
Fernández-Alvarez, J., Grassi, M., Colombo, D., Botella, C., Cipresso, P., Perna, G., & Riva, G. (2021). Efficacy of bio- and neurofeedback for depression: a meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 52(2), 201–216. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291721004396
NHS. (2022, May 20). Overview- Seasonal Addictive Disorder (SAD). NHS choices. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/#:~:text=Seasonal%20affective%20disorder%20(SAD)%20is,more%20severe%20during%20the%20winter.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Psychiatry.org - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). (2020, October). https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder#:~:text=About%205%20percent%20of%20adults,and%20less%20sunlight%20in%20winter.