With shorter days here again, some people start to notice feeling a little down, and some people feel a more severe form of low mood. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression. It is more common in the northern United States and occurs most commonly in fall or winter. It typically starts in adulthood. Reduced sunlight can lead to chemical changes in the brain that affect mood and behavior.
Typical symptoms may include feeling down, loss of interests, changes in appetite, low energy and increase need for sleep, difficulty with focus, and trouble thinking clearly.
The good news is that there are things you can do to help and treatments that work! If you think you are depressed, please make an appointment to talk with one of our providers or with University Counseling Service. Regular exercise, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting adequate sleep, eating healthy well-balanced meals, and surrounding yourself with friends can help. In addition, light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication may be used to treat SAD.
You can check out phototherapy lights at Student Health or CRWC.
For more information visit the links below.
John Hopkins Medicine - Seasonal Affective Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health - Seasonal Affective Disorder Fact Sheet