With warm winds of change and longer hours of sunlight gracing Grounds, many students can expect a reprieve from wintry gloom and irritability. For individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder, however, the arrival of spring is more welcome than to others.
“[SAD-afflicted people experience] depressed mood and symptoms of depression, usually associated with seasonal change in the fall or winter, which then remit in the spring,” said Lenny Carter, a counselor at the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, in an email.
Though the exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, Carter said, there are several credible theories to describe the phenomenon.
“[These theories include] disrupted circadian rhythms due to reduced sunlight, reduced serotonin levels associated with depression, reduced levels of melatonin which may disrupt the sleep cycle by causing insomnia, and low levels of vitamin D, which can be associated with depression,” Carter said.
Perhaps because of the excessive hours spent in libraries and classrooms, young adults and college-aged individuals are particularly susceptible to SAD. But Carter suggested there might be other, more relevant factors increasing students’ risk of incidence.
“There could be a large number of variables at work,” Carter said. “Lifestyle choices may contribute directly to circadian rhythm disruptions, and incidences of depression and sleep disorders in general tends to be higher among younger persons.”
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with SAD, though Carter said it is unclear why.
To get through the gloomy winter months, studies recommend spending at least 20 minutes daily in the sunlight and 30 minutes of vigorous, endorphin-releasing exercise each day.
Moreover, with the much-awaited beginning of spring, students with SAD should notice marked relief from their symptoms. “Many students experience a seasonal pattern to their depressions and report significant relief in the spring,” said Carter. “Skin exposure to sunlight creates vitamin D absorption.“
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