Handling the Holidays
Winter brings unwanted guest: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Hello winter, hello depression

As summer fades to fall, and fall fades to winter, the temperature isn’t the only thing that changes. Between four to six percent of people in the U.S. suffer from a change in mood, which includes symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite and a drop in energy levels, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This form of depression is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D.

The most common form of S.A.D., called winter-onset depression, begins in late fall or early winter and can last until the next summer. In addition to the four to six percent of those who suffer from S.A.D, another 10 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. may experience a mild form of winter-onset depression, according to FamilyDoctor.org.

Another rare type of S.A.D., summer-onset depression, begins in late spring or early summer, and can last until winter.

The exact cause of S.A.D. is unknown, but the disorder is related to light levels and brain chemistry. When the days become shorter in the case of winter-onset depression, some people cannot get the amount of light necessary to function normally.

Research also indicates that  S.A.D.  could be due to an imbalance of brain chemicals serotonin, melatonin and dopamine.

A popular treatment for S.A.D. is light therapy. This procedure involves being exposed to a special kind of light that mimics sunlight for a certain amount of time each day, usually 30 minutes. About 75 to 80 percent of those who suffer from S.A.D. benefit from light therapy.

Medication and psychotherapy have also been useful in helping counter the effects of S.A.D. Doctors may also recommend dieting and exercise to help with S.A.D.

The Mainstream is a student publication of Umpqua Community College.