With cold, rainy days replacing the warmth and sunshine of spring and summer, many students and faculty members may be feeling drained and unmotivated. During the winter, many people worldwide feel the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Commonly known as the “winter blues,” SAD affects an estimated 500,000 people during December, January and February, according to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association.
SAD can affect people of all ages, although medical studies have shown that the condition is especially prevalent among women and young people. It is estimated that 80 percent of those affected are women.
The National Mental Health Association reported that many doctors and mental health professionals believe SAD is the result of less sunlight in the winter months. The reduction in the amount of light could result in the human body being out of sync with its normal schedule.
Although doctors have observed SAD in various parts of the world, Dr. Louis Cenac of Baton Rouge’s Druscilla Clinic said the ailment seems to be especially prevalent in the northern latitudes and in cities in such places as Washington and Alaska.
Symptoms of SAD include slight depression during the winter months, craving of foods high in starch and sugar, followed by full remission in the spring and summer months.
The SAD Association also names appetite changes, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, irritability and loss of pleasure in typically joyful activities as other symptoms.
Although SAD sometimes can prevent people from carrying out normal daily functions, in most cases it causes only mild discomfort, but not severe symptoms.
Because substantial research indicates that SAD occurs during times of the year when sunlight can be at a minimum, doctors have routinely recommended light therapy as a possible remedy.
The National Mental Health Association suggests spending more time in the sunlight when possible, and have lights on more often in the home and workplace.
Cenac suggested those who feel they are suffering from SAD should make a habit of having more light in their homes and try to set a timer for a bright light to awaken them to help their bodies get into a rhythm.