SAD sufferers sing holiday blues

Seasonal Affective Disorder associated with less daylight in winter

By Lynda Helm
The Collegian

While the holidays often bring togetherness and happiness for many others may be SAD around this time of year.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of mood disorder most people call depression, said Christine Edmondson, associate professor in psychology and licensed psychologist.

While general depression occurs throughout the year, SAD usually lasts for a limited time frame every year, Gena Gechter, coordinator of psychological services, said.

There is usually an onset of symptoms and eventually an offset.

SAD is often associated with the fall and winter months when the sun is out for a shorter time each day.

However, the disorder can occur any time of the year, Edmondson said. Many people have episodes in the summer months.

Sometimes a negative event in a person’s life can affect him or her at the same time every year after. For example if a loved one passed away in a tragic car accident in February, the survivors may feel depressed every February.

For those whose SAD symptoms are triggered by a lack of daylight light therapy may be recommended. For this therapy a patient is placed in front of an extra bright light.

According to a fact sheet provided by the National Mental Health Association SAD is also tied to the release of melatonin in the body. This sleep-related hormone is produced and released in the body when the person is in the dark.

Melatonin is produced more in the winter when days are shorter.

The light used in light therapy is meant to help lower the amount of melatonin released, which should hopefully lessens the depression.

The special lights can be purchased for home use.

However, light therapy is still controversial, Edmondson said.

In some cases it can be harmful, especially for those who suffer from bipolar disorder. This disorder consists of both depression and mania.

Depression can make a person feel an overwhelming sadness, irritability and anxiety, while mania may make a person feel so happy and carefree that it can interfere with proper judgment.

Light therapy can increase manic symptoms, Edmondson said. Because of this, Edmondson recommends talking with a doctor before deciding to try light therapy.

When poor weather reduces activity people can also experience depression, Edmondson said. For example a person could feel better by traveling to a warmer and sunnier climate.

However, the happiness is most likely a result of the change of atmosphere and extra outside activity.

The holidays are often filled with stress, especially for college students.

This time of year is linked with family stresses, finals and homesickness. SAD is often combined with these stresses which can make this time of year difficult for students, Gechter said.

Counseling is available free of charge to students on campus in the health center.

Walk-in services are available. The walk-in hours are 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

After completing the paperwork a student can choose between a group therapy session or an individual session with a counselor.

An important thing to remember, Edmondson said, is that everyone reacts to negative situations.

However, a person with depression may experience the reaction for a longer period of time.

A counselor can help a student determine whether the symptoms they feel are stress-related or depression, Edmondson said.

It can sometimes take up to 10 sessions for some students while others may only take a few.

After determining the cause of SAD, the student and counselor work together to develop a treatment process.

The treatment could be more sessions or in some cases counseling combined with medication.

Medication is available but it is not needed in most cases, Gechter said.

The best way to help prevent the onset of any depression is to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, sleep eight hours a night and drink plenty of water, Edmondson said.

Some cases are biological and can occur for some patients no matter what they do.

However, maintaining good health can help in the healing process. It helps straighten out the stress biology in the body, which can help a person deal with stress more efficiently.

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