January can be the start of seasonal affective disorder symptoms for many. The winter months are often the start of seasonal depression. The holidays are over, credit card payments are high after a season of shopping, New Year’s resolutions are difficult to keep up with and the frigid January weather is reaching its peak which includes shorter days.
Clinical research shows Depression seems to spike at the beginning of the year. Over 10 million Americans struggle with seasonal depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which can affect multiple family members. The seasonal affective disorder occurs in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year. symptoms of SAD (seasonal affective disorder symptoms) include fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal. Treatment includes light therapy (natural light), talk therapy, and Antidepressant medicines.
Why Does Seasonal Affective Disorder Occur?
Most people with seasonal depression and SAD experience symptoms during the winter months, when the weather is cold including less daylight and shorter days. While anyone can suffer from SAD the exact causes of SAD are largely unknown. The risk of SAD increases in colder climates, and women are at higher risk including young people – studies show that women are four times as likely to experience the condition than men. It can also affect people differently. For instance, some individuals may have severe cases, while others (about 10 to 20%) have mild cases.
Whether someone is facing overwhelming symptoms or has mild SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or seasonal depression, it’s important not to ignore the issue. When left untreated, SAD may worsen and begin to interfere with other aspects of life. Those struggling with depression often lose interest in their favorite activities, stop maintaining social relationships, and neglect to fulfill their daily obligations.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatments
If you’ve experienced and ignored seasonal affective depression or seasonal depression in the past, 2022 is the year to change that. As we enter the new year, it’s essential to find new ways to improve our health and well-being (especially our mental wellness). It’s no secret that the mind is connected to the body – prioritizing mental health is the key to achieving goals, forming valuable connections, and enjoying a year that’s both happy and healthy.
One of the most effective ways to treat mental health conditions like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and seasonal depression is through medication. The most commonly prescribed drugs for SAD cases are antidepressants, which help improve mood and behavior by altering neurotransmitters in the brain. However, with so many antidepressants out there, it’s not easy for healthcare providers to determine which one is best for you. Many patients wind up with incorrect dosages or drugs that interact negatively with their system, which is a health risk in itself.
Ultimately, getting assistance for SAD and seasonal depression is a difficult process. Many patients refuse to seek treatment in hopes that the condition will resolve on its own, while those that do get help often receive medication that causes more harm than good.
How Can ClarityX Help?
ClarityX believes it’s time to take the guesswork out of medication and help ensure people receive the best drugs and dosages on the first try. ClarityX offers tests that can predict your medication response. Pharmacogenetic testing, a type of DNA testing, examines your genes for variations that may affect how you metabolize (or break down) certain prescription drugs. Not only does this help you choose between different antidepressants, but it also gives your doctor insight into the optimal dosages based on your unique DNA.
ClarityX's Mindwell Test
The Mindwell Test helps patients avoid the pain of trial and error, and frequent switching of medications and also saves precious time and money as well. And because genes do not change over time, an individual’s Mindwell test results will remain valid for life, and the treatment plan they get from their tests will serve them for years. Patients can order ClarityX Antidepressant medication testing including, Anxiety, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, and PTSD medications.
About ClarityX
At ClarityX, you’ll get a clinical grade Pharmacogenetic test that can be taken from the comfort of your home. Make this year the best one yet by making better, smarter choices about your healthcare.
ClarityX believes in taking the guesswork out of your healthcare. We believe that one size does not fit all when it comes to your medication or treatments. Individualized personal medicine is the future of healthcare. ClarityX genetic testing empowers both patients and physicians. We deliver on that promise every day by helping people with convenient, easily accessible in-home testing options.
