Don't let the winter blues get you SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder hits hardest in January, February due to shifts in biological clock

By: Michelle Suffin

Posted: 1/17/08

Students at OSU may find themselves feeling a little blue this winter. Recent studies have shown that the shorter and darker days of winter can greatly affect the moods of young men and women, and possibly lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder.

"I hate winter term," said Nicole Kadau, a sophomore majoring in business. "When it's dark and cold I don't feel motivated to go to class or do anything."

The cold weather can prevent many students from getting out and participating in activities that can prevent depression and SAD.

"I find that winter term is harder for students," said Georgine Thompson, a clinical social worker at the student counseling and psychological center.

"They don't get out and do fun activities with friends, and jogging outside may not sound like the best idea when it's pouring rain. The lack or decrease in exercise can greatly impact their mood."

Depression has become a major issue on many college campuses.

"The student health center has a greater number of men and women coming in with depression each year than with a common cold," Thompson said. "That's a pretty serious sign."

Depression is most common in men and women in their early 20s and affects one in every 10 people.

"We see an equal balance of men and women coming into the counseling center," Thompson said. "More men are coming forward and talking openly about their depression, and more students are made aware of depression's prominence. For example, look at all the pharmaceutical ads on television for prescriptions like Zoloft and Prozac."

Although some students suffer from year-round depression, one thing to consider is the possibility of SAD.

It is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes typically related to variations of light.

January and February are the most common times for students to experience SAD, when the changes in sunlight patterns shift their biological internal clocks.

"Your body can go into a sort of hibernation," said Phillip Histand, interim director of Student Health Services. "Your body rhythm can be thrown off when it gets dark outside."

The brain increases production of the hormone melatonin when there is a decrease in light.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this resets the brain's central clock and helps the light/dark cycle reset the sleep/wake cycle.

They symptoms of SAD correlate closely with those of clinical depression.

"We will typically see a decrease in overall cognitive ability," Thompson said, noting related symptoms of stress, fatigue, general sadness, lack of concentration and cravings for starchy foods. "But we will also see these go away in warmer months, which is usually a sign that the patient has SAD and not depression."

Although SAD can be an extremely debilitating mood disorder, treatments are available on and off campus.

Phototherapy, or therapy using an increase in light, can suppress the melatonin secretions in the brain. "We have special light boxes available in the Student Health Center," Histand said.

"It's basically a bright light that you sit by for a couple of hours each day. It has shown to be effective in the long run."

The light boxes are available for students to rent throughout the year, and special light bulbs can also be ordered online or sold in specialty stores for students to use in their desk lamps.

If light therapy does not work, students can see help from anti-depressants, which stabilize one's mood and aid the neurotransmitters in the brain.

There are many ways for students to improve their moods and beat seasonal depression without the use of phototherapy and medications.

"Exercise is extremely helpful," Histand said. "Getting out with your friends and family and getting into a good sleep pattern also help in the fight against winter blues."

Asking friends for extra motivation and support can be key winter term.

"It helps to have friends motivate you to go to Dixon or walk to class," Kadau said.

"Getting the motivation

to brave the cold and rain is the most difficult part," Histand said.

Students interested in seeking advice from counselors can visit the fifth floor of Snell Hall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call to make an appointment.

"[Counseling is] extremely confidential," Thompson said. "That is our primary concern. We keep those records separate from any other records, and there is always someone on call to talk to."

Because of the student health fee in place, the first five counseling sessions

are free, and cost $5 per session afterwards.

For more information on SAD and depression, visit www.nimh.com, or contact Student Health Services at

541-737-9355

Michelle Suffin, news writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231