Central Michigan Life

Life Illustration by Jeffrey Irwin Seasonal Affective Disorder and the winter blues can impact CMU students’ concenration and energy levels. " SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_41f9d5ef8db7c-61-1.jpg" target=new> Life Illustration by Jeffrey Irwin Seasonal Affective Disorder and the winter blues can impact CMU students’ concenration and energy levels. [Click to enlarge]

Researchers estimate Seasonal Affective Disorder causes winter depression in 10 million Americans and 25 million suffer from a milder form known as winter blues.

Light deprivation is one of four factors in developing SAD. As the days get shorter, people find their attitudes changing, said Colleen Milligan, counselor in the Counseling Center in Foust Hall.

“Like house plants whose branches may die off when they get less hours of light, sometimes humans too crave more sleep because they don’t get as much sunlight or outdoor exercise,” Milligan said. “People become discouraged with their own performance at times when energy is low.”

Alpena senior Kelli Kearly said she finds restricted activity during winter difficult.

“I’m more of a summer kind of girl and I’m involved in more outdoor activities in the summer so in the winter I feel kind of cooped up,” Kearly said. “I work out a lot and try to stay active as much as possible.”

Weather in Michigan leaves something to be desired, said Yale freshman Meagan Austin.

“Originally, I’m from Tennessee and it’s really warm there,” Austin said. “Up here it’s just cold and dreary.”

Gary Silker, Counseling Center faculty member, said there is a difference between SAD and winter blues.

“For people with winter blues it’s not as easy to concentrate and their energy level is not as high,” he said. “SAD is a lot more intense response to lack of sunlight.”

Milligan said many students notice an attitude change during winter.

“I hear a lot of students notice the difference in their moods and energy in the winter,” Milligan said. “They often feel better as the days get longer.”

Students’ behavior helps in fighting winter depression, Milligan said.

“Those who get plenty of exercise and dress warmly and get out in spite of low temperatures seem to suffer less,” Milligan said.

Milligan also said diets need to change with the weather.

“Warm hearty home cooked soups and stews tend to give the energy necessary to keep the digestive fire warm and provide a person with energy,” Milligan said.

Silker said exercise is basic for fighting winter blues.

“The simplest treatment is to get more exercise,” Silker said. “Exercise is a natural anti-depressant and it also lets people see they’re fighting back.”

If exercise alone is ineffective, people should seek counseling and may be put on medication, Silker said.

Metal boxes delivering a spectrum of light, known as light boxes, are used to treat SAD. Sufferers also can have skylights installed in their homes.

Researchers found SAD to be four times more common in women. People between the ages of 20 and 40 were found most susceptible to SAD.

Article Tools