Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) poses a significant challenge to mental health, affecting mood and overall well-being, especially during months with reduced daylight hours. Recognized as a subtype of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, SAD typically presents with major depressive episodes in the fall or winter and alleviates by spring or summer. This condition transcends transient sadness, profoundly influencing mood, cognitive function, and physical health. Symptoms such as hypersomnia, overeating, and a pronounced carbohydrate craving are frequently observed in individuals with SAD, underscoring the disorder’s complex nature. Notably, SAD’s prevalence increases with distance from the equator, suggesting a link to environmental light exposure.Efficient screening processes are crucial for identifying those at heightened risk, paving the way for comprehensive evaluation and intervention. Despite advancements in understanding SAD, questions remain, particularly regarding its hormonal and neurotransmitter effects. Given SAD’s unique trajectory and significant impact on affected individuals, the importance of early recognition and personalized care strategies cannot be overstated.This course provides healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of SAD, its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and evidence-based management strategies. It will review the epidemiology of SAD, exploring its prevalence, risk factors, and potential underlying mechanisms. The clinical presentation of SAD, including common symptoms and diagnostic criteria, evidence-based screening tools, and assessment methods to facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning, are discussed. Participants gain insights into the efficacy, safety, and practical considerations associated with each treatment option, enabling them to develop individualized management plans tailored to the needs of their patients.
- Provider:StatPearls, LLC
- Activity Link: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/126883
- Start Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-09-01 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.5 hours
Nursing: 1.5 hours
Pharmacy: 1.5 hours - MOC Credit Details: ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Accredited CME (ABS)
ABPATH - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning (ABPATH)
ABIM - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Medical Knowledge (ABIM)
ABS - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Self-Assessment (ABS)
ABP - 1.5 Point; Credit Type(s): Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (ABP) - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all
- Specialty: Adolescent Medicine, All Practice Areas (e.g. ethics), General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine