FEELING "SAD"?

Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder

by Michael Dura

Michael Dura

For most of us, the winter months bring joy. The idea of [Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa] coming, snow angels and snowmen, the new year. Most of us associate these with happy emotions. Winter keeps us on our toes awaiting each new day’s coming and going.

However, for some of us, those dark days of winter do not bring joy. You are not the only person dealing with these emotions. Seasonal Affective Disorder (or more appropriately the fitting acronym SAD) is a disorder noted by the National Mental Health Association that affects not only you, but plenty of others around you.

What are the symptoms? Seasonal Affective Disorder can cause (but is not limited to):

1. Regularly occurring symptoms of depression (excessive or little eating, sleeping, weight gain or weight loss) during the fall or winter months.
2. Pangs of consciousness where dwelling on the past or fear of future events can make you feel insignificant.
3. Lack of motivation.
4. Distaste for things that would normally make you happy.

What causes these symptoms?

The answer is scientific but quite simple to understand. For all mammals, the winter months bring changes in our animal brains and our habits (reproductive cycles, hibernation). Humans are no different.

Our brains naturally emit Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone that has been linked to depression and SAD. Melatonin is produced when we are in the dark. So, naturally, as the days become shorter in late December, January and February, the amount of Melatonin in our systems grows. The theory is that Melatonin becomes a burden on our minds and makes us depressed.

What can you do about it?

Light boxes can help SAD sufferers cope with the lack of light in winter

Although the winter months do not provide us an abundance of sunlight, especially in mid-Michigan, take advantage of any sun you can get. Walking to class on sunny or semi-sunny days can help a lot in regards to sun exposure (as well as fight that awful freshman 15!).

However, a string of days without any sun can bring you down. So put a picture of a sunny beach as screensaver on your computer. Or keep a picture of you and your friends in Cancun on Spring Break in close view. Even things as simple as playing upbeat music can make some of us feel better.

Some people benefit from using lightboxes, particularly those that have "natural light" bulbs that approximate sunshine. You should also seek help at the Counseling Center on campus. Olin Medical Center can sometimes prescribe medication.

For now, get up! Don’t let Seasonal Affective Disorder ruin your winter. Wake up every day and try to keep some pep in your step. Go outside and soak up whatever sun there is. Do something. Do anything!

Sufferers need to recognize what is happening and not allow it affect their relationships with their friends, family, loved ones, and especially their class work. SAD may not be completely curable, but the good news is that spring is merely a few months away!