Dealing with the Winter Blues

Photo Credit: Phil Nelson, used under Creative Commons License

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December 7, 2011 • Leah Romm, Staff Reporter  
Filed under Features, Top Stories

It’s that time of year again: winter is rolling around, and some people suddenly feel sleepier, heavier, and…sadder? Yes, sadder. Sometimes known as the “winter blues,” seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.) is beginning to take its toll.

According to Web M.D., S.A.D. is a mood disorder in which a person has normal mental health during most of the year but experiences symptoms of depression during a specific season. For some, these symptoms flare up with the cold winter days; for others, summer’s sunny months bring gloom instead of joy.

ScienceDaily, an internet science news website, states that the S.A.D. affects about six percent of the Americans. S.A.D. is provoked by a change in people’s circadian rhythms; that is, a person’s sleep cycle can be disrupted as the seasons change. This disturbance occurs because of a change in the amount of light a person is exposed to. In the winter, there is less sunlight, which keeps our bodies from stopping the production of melatonin, our bodies’ natural sleeping pill. People feel sleepier for longer durations, which can lead to feelings of sadness.

“A client I had reported that she felt unmotivated and lethargic. It’s like waking up and thinking, ‘I just can’t and don’t want to get out of bed,’” says Beth Christensen, one of Foothill’s support counselors.

Luckily, there are ways to deal with seasonal affective disorder. Mental Health America, a non-profit organization, states that light therapy is a common treatment in which people suffering from S.A.D. are exposed to sunlight or extremely bright lights that mimic sunlight. This helps regulate melatonin which, in turn, helps people feel more awake. Other patients have to resort to antidepressants or therapy.

“What people need to understand,” says A.P. Psychology teacher, David Middleton, “is that depression is common. There shouldn’t be a stigma associated with it, whether it’s short-term like with S.A.D. or full-blown depression. Don’t internalize it, and, instead, seek help for those who need it.”

If you or someone you know is feeling unusually down this winter, don’t hesitate to get help! Perhaps it’s S.A.D. or just the cold, gloomy weather getting to you. Whatever the case, put on some fuzzy socks, cuddle with your cat, drink some hot cocoa, and feel better!

Tags: Beth Christensen, David Middleton, depression, mental health, mood disorder, S.A.D., seasonal affective disorder, winter blues

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