Spring Break
Don't let the winter blues get you SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder hits hardest in January, February due to shifts in biological clock
Michelle Suffin
Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: News
The brain increases production of the hormone melatonin when there is a decrease in light.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this resets the brain's central clock and helps the light/dark cycle reset the sleep/wake cycle.
They symptoms of SAD correlate closely with those of clinical depression.
"We will typically see a decrease in overall cognitive ability," Thompson said, noting related symptoms of stress, fatigue, general sadness, lack of concentration and cravings for starchy foods. "But we will also see these go away in warmer months, which is usually a sign that the patient has SAD and not depression."
Although SAD can be an extremely debilitating mood disorder, treatments are available on and off campus.
Phototherapy, or therapy using an increase in light, can suppress the melatonin secretions in the brain. "We have special light boxes available in the Student Health Center," Histand said.
"It's basically a bright light that you sit by for a couple of hours each day. It has shown to be effective in the long run."
The light boxes are available for students to rent throughout the year, and special light bulbs can also be ordered online or sold in specialty stores for students to use in their desk lamps.
If light therapy does not work, students can see help from anti-depressants, which stabilize one's mood and aid the neurotransmitters in the brain.
There are many ways for students to improve their moods and beat seasonal depression without the use of phototherapy and medications.
"Exercise is extremely helpful," Histand said. "Getting out with your friends and family and getting into a good sleep pattern also help in the fight against winter blues."
Asking friends for extra motivation and support can be key winter term.
"It helps to have friends motivate you to go to Dixon or walk to class," Kadau said.
"Getting the motivation
to brave the cold and rain is the most difficult part," Histand said.
Students interested in seeking advice from counselors can visit the fifth floor of Snell Hall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call to make an appointment.
"[Counseling is] extremely confidential," Thompson said. "That is our primary concern. We keep those records separate from any other records, and there is always someone on call to talk to."
Because of the student health fee in place, the first five counseling sessions
are free, and cost $5 per session afterwards.
For more information on SAD and depression, visit www.nimh.com, or contact Student Health Services at
541-737-9355
Michelle Suffin, news writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this resets the brain's central clock and helps the light/dark cycle reset the sleep/wake cycle.
They symptoms of SAD correlate closely with those of clinical depression.
"We will typically see a decrease in overall cognitive ability," Thompson said, noting related symptoms of stress, fatigue, general sadness, lack of concentration and cravings for starchy foods. "But we will also see these go away in warmer months, which is usually a sign that the patient has SAD and not depression."
Although SAD can be an extremely debilitating mood disorder, treatments are available on and off campus.
Phototherapy, or therapy using an increase in light, can suppress the melatonin secretions in the brain. "We have special light boxes available in the Student Health Center," Histand said.
"It's basically a bright light that you sit by for a couple of hours each day. It has shown to be effective in the long run."
The light boxes are available for students to rent throughout the year, and special light bulbs can also be ordered online or sold in specialty stores for students to use in their desk lamps.
If light therapy does not work, students can see help from anti-depressants, which stabilize one's mood and aid the neurotransmitters in the brain.
There are many ways for students to improve their moods and beat seasonal depression without the use of phototherapy and medications.
"Exercise is extremely helpful," Histand said. "Getting out with your friends and family and getting into a good sleep pattern also help in the fight against winter blues."
Asking friends for extra motivation and support can be key winter term.
"It helps to have friends motivate you to go to Dixon or walk to class," Kadau said.
"Getting the motivation
to brave the cold and rain is the most difficult part," Histand said.
Students interested in seeking advice from counselors can visit the fifth floor of Snell Hall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call to make an appointment.
"[Counseling is] extremely confidential," Thompson said. "That is our primary concern. We keep those records separate from any other records, and there is always someone on call to talk to."
Because of the student health fee in place, the first five counseling sessions
are free, and cost $5 per session afterwards.
For more information on SAD and depression, visit www.nimh.com, or contact Student Health Services at
541-737-9355
Michelle Suffin, news writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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