Seasonal affective disorder to possibly develop in late fall
Kristi Kawanna, Daily Vidette Assignment Editor
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
For some people, the winter blues is more than the occasional gloomy day that just needs to be brushed off.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that begins in the late fall or winter and resolves in the spring or summer. The specific cause of seasonal affective disorder is unknown. However, research has provided some possibilities.
"SAD is thought to be connected to the supar chiasmic nuclei, which is located on/above the hypothalamus in the brain. It is also thought to be related to the circadian rhythm of our bodies," Valeri Famer-Dougan, associate psychology professor at ISU, said.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls mood, activity, sleep, temperature and sex drive.
The circadian rhythm is a physiological process that helps regulate your body's internal clock, letting you know when to sleep or wake.
The reduced level of sunlight in the fall and winter may disrupt the circadian rhythm in certain people, therefore causing depression. Also, because natural light stimulates the hypothalamus after it passes through the eye's retina, these functions shut down when less light is available.
Anyone can be affected by seasonal affective disorder.
"Society has all kinds of people. We need people who notice the change in sunlight right away and we also need people who don't notice the change at all," Farmer-Dougan said.
"We probably have a normal distribution of people in society with SAD. These people are considered outliers. There is nothing wrong with them but statistically they are not 'average'," Farmer-Dougan added.
The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include depression, hopelessness, decrease in ability to experience pleasure, anxiety, loss of energy, disrupted sleep, social withdrawal, appetite changes and difficulty processing and concentrating on information.
Those who feel affected by seasonal affective disorder should seek professional help.
"If a student feels like they are experiencing symptoms of SAD, they should contact Student Counseling Services. We work with many different types of treatment including behavior and cognition therapy and other forms of psychotherapy. Also, different anti-depressants can also be effective for some," David Rardin, associate director for Student Counseling Services, said.
For those who feel mildly affected by the lack of sunshine in winter, there are things to do that may help.
"Some data supports increased physical activity to help with mild depression. Also, try and find ways to be exposed to brighter light," Rardin said.
Opening blinds, adding skylights, trimming tree branches that block sunlight and getting outdoors on sunny days are a few ways to increase light exposure.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that begins in the late fall or winter and resolves in the spring or summer. The specific cause of seasonal affective disorder is unknown. However, research has provided some possibilities.
"SAD is thought to be connected to the supar chiasmic nuclei, which is located on/above the hypothalamus in the brain. It is also thought to be related to the circadian rhythm of our bodies," Valeri Famer-Dougan, associate psychology professor at ISU, said.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls mood, activity, sleep, temperature and sex drive.
The circadian rhythm is a physiological process that helps regulate your body's internal clock, letting you know when to sleep or wake.
The reduced level of sunlight in the fall and winter may disrupt the circadian rhythm in certain people, therefore causing depression. Also, because natural light stimulates the hypothalamus after it passes through the eye's retina, these functions shut down when less light is available.
Anyone can be affected by seasonal affective disorder.
"Society has all kinds of people. We need people who notice the change in sunlight right away and we also need people who don't notice the change at all," Farmer-Dougan said.
"We probably have a normal distribution of people in society with SAD. These people are considered outliers. There is nothing wrong with them but statistically they are not 'average'," Farmer-Dougan added.
The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include depression, hopelessness, decrease in ability to experience pleasure, anxiety, loss of energy, disrupted sleep, social withdrawal, appetite changes and difficulty processing and concentrating on information.
Those who feel affected by seasonal affective disorder should seek professional help.
"If a student feels like they are experiencing symptoms of SAD, they should contact Student Counseling Services. We work with many different types of treatment including behavior and cognition therapy and other forms of psychotherapy. Also, different anti-depressants can also be effective for some," David Rardin, associate director for Student Counseling Services, said.
For those who feel mildly affected by the lack of sunshine in winter, there are things to do that may help.
"Some data supports increased physical activity to help with mild depression. Also, try and find ways to be exposed to brighter light," Rardin said.
Opening blinds, adding skylights, trimming tree branches that block sunlight and getting outdoors on sunny days are a few ways to increase light exposure.
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