The winter blues– many students find themselves locked up in the house or library studying for finals when the winter blues hit, but it is more than just an overwhelming feeling of sadness.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is a mood disorder that affects an individual during the same time each year. People with seasonal depression usually feel depressed during the shorter days of winter, which can affect their everyday lives.
It is essential for students to be aware of their mental health and support each other because SAD is most common in young adults. So if someone shows signs of the winter blues, reach out and get them the help they need.
According to chaptershealth.org, SAD is estimated to occur in 10 million Americans. Between 60% and 90% of people who have SAD are women. Seasonal depression most commonly hits people in their 20s.
Although less frequent, seasonal depression can also occur in the spring and summer. In either season, according to an article on themayoclinic.org, symptoms start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.
About 6% of people suffer from a severe version of SAD, which stops individuals from going out and seeing other people, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Symptoms of SAD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, include: feeling depressed most of the day, low energy, problems with sleep, changes in appetite or weight and feeling sluggish or agitated. Specific symptoms of the winter pattern similarly include: low energy, overeating, weight gain and social withdrawal.
If someone finds themselves suffering from seasonal affective disorder, know it is common and that person is not alone. Fortunately, there are treatments available.
Light therapy, using an ultraviolet-filtered lamp, is the most common treatment for seasonal depression, according to mayoclinic.org.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the idea behind light therapy is to replace the diminished sunshine of the fall and winter months using daily exposure to bright, artificial light.
In addition, Citrus offers many counseling workshops with professional therapists who are trained to help students get through seasons of depression.
Cognitive behavior therapy can also help people with the symptoms of seasonal depression.
A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that those who went through a six-week course of CBT were less likely to relapse the next two winters as opposed to people using light therapy.
According to mayoclinic.org, the specific cause of seasonal affective disorder remains unknown. Factors that may come into play include the body’s biological clock or circadian rhythm.
A drop in serotonin levels might also play a role as a neurotransmitter which regulates mood and appetite as well as an increase in melatonin.
According to WebMD, some researchers link seasonal depression to melatonin, which causes drowsiness.
Seasonal depression is most common in young adults, making college students the most vulnerable, especially women.
Whatever the cause may be, it’s good to understand the signs to know how to take care of oneself and others. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
