Shorter days, longer nights, frosty air that often bites – does winter leave you feeling under the weather? It could be SAD that’s getting to you.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that onsets during seasonal changes. Although SAD can occur in the summer months, it’s significantly more common in winter. It’s most common in people over 20, especially women, and people with other mental health disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
SAD is thought to be linked to chemical changes in the brain as the seasons change, in part, due to shifts in sunlight exposure, time spent outside, changes in vitamin D levels, altered levels of melatonin, which regulates sleep patterns, and a reduction in serotonin, which is used by the brain to help regulate emotion.
The National Institute of Mental Health states due to the more pronounced change in weather conditions and shorter daylight hours during winter months, winter onset SAD is more common in the northern half of the U.S. and, according to Midwest Integrative Marriage & Family, is thought to affect nearly 10 million Americans.
Midwest Integrative Marriage & Family also states symptoms of SAD can include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, changes in appetite and developing a craving for sweet or starchy foods, weight gain, a drop in energy level, decreased physical activity, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, avoidance of social situations and thoughts of suicide.
The National Institute of Mental Health advises if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of SAD, there are many treatments available, including light therapy, psychotherapy, antidepressant medication and vitamin D supplements.
Light therapy is easily accessible, both by spending time in sunlight and by using special light therapy lamps, which are available through retailers like Walmart or Amazon, with lamps typically priced around $20-$40.
Another recommended option would be to speak with your psychiatrist or general practitioner about your concerns and symptoms to explore using vitamin D supplements and antidepressants to assist in your treatment of SAD.
Finally, psychotherapy can make a significant difference in how SAD affects you and your quality of life. Psychotherapy can help you come up with a plan for addressing symptoms, building your support system, and providing a safe outlet to talk through your experiences.
Kirkwood’s on-site counseling services, which can be found on the third floor of Iowa Hall, are available at no cost to all students, with confidential sessions scheduled both in-person and via Zoom and walk-in appointments with an on-call clinician available Monday through Friday.
Appointments can be scheduled by stopping by 3034 Iowa Hall, calling 319-398-5540, or emailing the scheduling team at deanofstudents@kirkwood.edu.
SAD is a medical condition that can have significant impacts on your quality of life and should be taken seriously. You don’t have to struggle alone.
If you find yourself having thoughts of self harm, suicide, or in need of immediate support, consider contacting the nationwide National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at 988.
Other resources include 988lifeline.org for live chat online, the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 anywhere in the US, Your Life Iowa at https://yourlifeiowa.org/ for live chat, by calling 855-581-8111 to speak with someone, or texting 855-895-8398, or calling 911.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
