Almost nobody appreciates autumn turning ever so quickly into winter. You can no longer wear your treasured Birkenstocks or Rainbow sandals. Sickness is in the air, which is considerably colder than it was a few weeks ago. Additionally, school has been in session long enough for it to lose the luster it had in the beginning of the month. There’s no wonder why every one of us has had a case of the “winter blues”. However, the change of seasons can have a stronger impact than you would think.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD (rather appropriately named) is a type of depression that occurs mostly during the change from summer into fall and winter. It is most likely triggered by a lack of sunlight influencing the brain’s production of certain neurotransmitters and chemicals like serotonin and melatonin. These substances impact mood and sleep patterns, and when the wrong amount of them is produced it can negatively alter your attitude and energy levels. The misproduction of these chemicals is what leads to the many of the symptoms of this illness. There is a wide range of SAD indicators, including losing interest in activities, low energy, craving carbohydrates, difficulty concentrating, and feeling hopeless, along with a long list of others.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, there are a few treatments options that your doctor can choose from. Light therapy (also known as phototherapy) is one of the methods for treating SAD. It consists of working or sitting near a “light box” that mimics sunlight. The bright light helps normalize the brain’s production of melatonin and serotonin. Light boxes are one of the most popular and effective treatments for treating SAD. People with more severe symptoms may benefit from taking antidepressant medications along with using a light box. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is another method used to deal with this illness. It allows the patient to get rid of negative thoughts that are making the symptoms worse and learn how to manage stress. Some preventative measures you can take include making your home environment brighter by opening blinds and windows, getting outside and into the sunlight in the morning, and exercising to relieve stress.
Although only a small percentage of people have severe winter depression, around 10-20% of people in the US have mild SAD. This is amplified in areas farther from the equator – people in Maine are much more likely to have it than people in Texas. It is also four times more likely to affect women than men, and younger people are more likely to be affected than older people. This clearly puts a lot of Marbleheaders at risk. It is important to contact your doctor if you think you might have SAD in order to effectively treat your symptoms and get back to enjoying life, even if it’s a little too cold outside for comfort.