Days get darker, more depressed
Phoebe O'Dell
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
Students have not only had to adjust to academic changes, but seasonal changes as well.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, affects people around campus more than we think.
"SAD is associated with shorter days and longer nights. This is a depression caused or exacerbated by the change of seasons," Dr. Portier stated.
Around this time of year students, faculty, and staff experience the effects of this depression. "Up to 25% of people at any given time may be affected by SAD-- it will not always be the same 25%," Portier continued. [This number is estimation.]
Students have noticed a change in mood and activity due to the change in light, or lack of, in recent weeks. According to freshman Kyle Wakayama, "It does suck a lot. It's kind of depressing when it's cold and dark out."
There is a way to alleviate the pain this seasonal disorder has caused. Wellness sent out a campus-wide e-mail that informed students of an available SAD lamp.
A SAD lamp is a, "full spectrum light therapy for a half hour a day. A direct look can affect the retina and can help release endorphins, serotonin, and epinephrine in the brain and give us the safe and warm and happy feeling of being in the sunshine," Portier stated.
Weather changes do affect how our bodies act during the day sense they prefer the sunlight summer months give off. "I actually think it has affected my school work," Wakayama stated.
Utilizing the SAD lamp may help those students who are feeling the effects of this seasonal depression. If you are interested contact the Wellness Center on how to obtain some time in the sun.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, affects people around campus more than we think.
"SAD is associated with shorter days and longer nights. This is a depression caused or exacerbated by the change of seasons," Dr. Portier stated.
Around this time of year students, faculty, and staff experience the effects of this depression. "Up to 25% of people at any given time may be affected by SAD-- it will not always be the same 25%," Portier continued. [This number is estimation.]
Students have noticed a change in mood and activity due to the change in light, or lack of, in recent weeks. According to freshman Kyle Wakayama, "It does suck a lot. It's kind of depressing when it's cold and dark out."
There is a way to alleviate the pain this seasonal disorder has caused. Wellness sent out a campus-wide e-mail that informed students of an available SAD lamp.
A SAD lamp is a, "full spectrum light therapy for a half hour a day. A direct look can affect the retina and can help release endorphins, serotonin, and epinephrine in the brain and give us the safe and warm and happy feeling of being in the sunshine," Portier stated.
Weather changes do affect how our bodies act during the day sense they prefer the sunlight summer months give off. "I actually think it has affected my school work," Wakayama stated.
Utilizing the SAD lamp may help those students who are feeling the effects of this seasonal depression. If you are interested contact the Wellness Center on how to obtain some time in the sun.
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samueljaxon
Online Dissertation
posted 2/03/10 @ 8:59 AM EST
Thanks for great news!
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