Amy Keller, a high school senior living in northeast Ohio, thought she just had a bad case of the winter blues. As the air started getting frigid, and the trees shed almost all their leaves, her spirits began to drop with the first feathery snowflakes. She had become lethargic, and seemed to be preparing for winter hibernation as she began eating more and more.
“I thought it was normal to feel that way. Living in northeast Ohio in the winter just isn’t fun,” Amy said. “But then I moved to Arizona and realized what a huge difference getting more sun makes.”
Amy didn’t realize it at the time, but she may have been suffering from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is a disorder prevalent among people who live north of 40 degrees latitude in climates where the winter months mean a drastic decrease in the amount of daylight, and as is true with other affective disorders, the majority of the people who suffer from SAD are women.


Causes

SAD is thought to be caused when the body increases its production of Melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone. This increase in production happens when the amount of accessible daylight shortens, beginning late fall. As spring begins, the symptoms of
SAD disappear and the person may feel energetic or even euphoric. When fall returns the person suffering from SAD slips into depression again.


Symptoms

According to Nursing magazine, the symptoms of SAD are closely related to those of depression, and include inability to sleep, apathy, feelings of shame and worthlessness, and even thoughts of suicide. People suffering from SAD may also experience intense cravings for carbohydrates and sugar. This may lead to weight gain, only adding to feelings of depression. These symptoms must continue for two or more winters before a diagnosis can be made.


Treatment

The most prescribed method of treatment for SAD is light therapy. People suffering from this disorder are advised to sit near a light source for 30 minutes to 2 hours each day. This usually relieves symptoms within two weeks. Some light devices can be programmed to automatically turn on in the morning to create a predawn simulation. If light therapy does not work, drugs can be prescribed. However, these drugs tend to have negative side effects such as increase in suicidal thoughts.


What to do

If you have been experiencing symptoms of depression for more than a week and think that you may be suffering from SAD there are ways to get help on campus. Counseling and Psychological Services is located on the third floor of Hudson Health Center. It is equipped with professionals willing and able to help those suffering from SAD. Their office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and walk-in appointments are available between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

story by Brittany Timmons

picture by Alana Geoghegan

   
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