I have recently noticed a trend in work ethic and demeanor during the fall and spring semesters.
Since the names suggest that the former includes colder months, one would think that people who suffer from seasonal depression due to decreased sunlight would be more negatively affected during the fall. However, it can be just as, if not more, prevalent during the spring semesters.
Seasonal depression, formally seasonal affective disorder, is a type of depression that develops during periods of changing seasons, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Cleveland Clinic describes the symptoms of SAD as fatigue, trouble concentrating and irritability, which I know from experience and psychology courses is comparable to major depressive disorder symptoms.
The main difference between the two is the causes, and while even that can be the same when the cause is a chemical imbalance, one cause is much more likely for SAD. During colder months, it is usually less sunny, which leads to people getting less vitamin D.
While many mental health issues can greatly impact a college student or anyone’s life, SAD may impact certain things specific to students. If someone suffers from SAD, they may struggle more during spring semesters because there are fewer sunny months in Louisiana.
Statistics from worlddata.info say that January is the least sunny month in Louisiana. This could mean that many students with SAD struggle most at this point in the year, and others may struggle because of the lack of sun, too.
A 2021 study by the Hawai’i Journal of Health & Social Welfare researched whether students from places with less variability between seasons were any less likely to develop SAD and any more likely to develop SAD while attending college out-of-state.
Their research demonstrated that no matter how similar seasons are, every region of the United States has people who are just as likely to develop SAD.
If this makes the spring semester more difficult, there are ways to help alleviate symptoms besides seeking medical health professionals. The Cleveland Clinic suggests treatments specific to SAD, most notably, light therapy.
If going to the doctor isn’t an option or you want something immediate, in some cases, going outside in the sun or taking a vitamin D supplement may help, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Still, it’s always best to get a medical professional’s opinion when possible.
While SAD is not the most common, it is an overlooked mental illness that may make this semester, and specifically this month, really hard on some students around campus. Thankfully, there are things you can do to help yourself and or your loved ones.
Kate Beske is a 21-year-old journalism senior from Destrehan, La.
