Recognizing Seasonal Depression
Getting sufficient sunlight in the winter time can aid in the fight against SAD.
Winter is coming. Enjoy the cooler weather as much as you can, because soon the chill frost of winter will be upon us. One of the most common mental illnesses is seasonal depression (SAD) which is during the fall to winter season change. It is hard for anyone to talk about mental illnesses, because it makes people feel uncomfortable. We need to realize it is better to talk about them than to continue to ignore them.
In college, I feel like people are more understanding and willing to talk to about it,
— Haley Johnson
SAD can be caused by the lack of sunlight in the winter or fall. Your serotonin levels (a chemical that controls your moods) drop due to less sunlight, the change of season can also affect your melatonin levels, (a hormone made by the pineal gland which connects to the brain) which is a contributor to your sleep patterns.
If you can not get to Mexico this winter to get your sun in, try just opening up your blinds or taking a walk outside. Get as much sunlight you can get from the winter sky. Exercise can also prove helpful because physical activity aids in relieving stress and anxiety.
“In college, I feel like people are more understanding and willing to talk to about mental illness. Whereas in high school, kids won’t do that, which makes people with depression feel more embarrassed and like an outsider,” University of Wisconsin graduate Haley Johnson said.
Symptoms and signs for SAD to look out for are over sleeping, low energy, weight gain or loss, irritability, problems getting along with people and feeling sad. There may be other causes for these symptoms however if you start to notice these abnormalities talk to the individual first before going to a parent or authority figure.
Here at OHS, we have a mental awareness club run by senior Ella Gagne. It can be hard to talk to a parent or teacher but this club allows you to talk to people your own age. They may not be a therapist but they still can give you advice and lead you down the right path, plus you will meet plenty of people who are going through the same thing.
There are no real preventions for SAD besides getting enough sunlight each day, but you can get SAD treated. Try recognizing your symptoms before they get bad is one of the best things to do. Surround yourself with positive people who trigger happy thoughts.
Hello, I'm Annika Johnson and I am a Reporter and part of the Visual staff. This will be my first year in Newspaper but I have been a journalist for...
