By Gillian Crist and Kennedee Huey
Page Editor and Student Reporter
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression, is a mood disorder and subtype of major depressive disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) estimated that SAD affects millions of Americans, often starting in early adulthood.
“To be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, symptoms must be present for at least two years before diagnosis, Jerod Hinders, counseling center coordinator, said. “Seasonally related stressors, such as regular unemployment during the winter or financial struggles, are not the same as having a seasonal affective disorder.”
SAD is triggered by the transition from season to season, most commonly from summer/fall into winter, due to decreased sunlight.
“Some people report they find lamps made to mimic the sun helpful,” Alyssa Duncan, behavioral health counselor, said.
Symptoms include feeling sad or anxious, irritability, hypersomnia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in activities typically enjoyed, unplanned weight changes, social withdrawal/isolation and thoughts or attempts of suicide.
“Research shows that many individuals with winter-pattern Seasonal Affective Disorder are deficient in vitamin D,” Hinders said. “However, the results of treating SAD with vitamin D have been mixed.”
Hinders said that using psychotherapy or talk therapy can be beneficial as well.
“It focuses on helping individuals to identify unhelpful thoughts and how to change their behaviors and habits to ease depressive feelings,” Hinders said. “It can also help to exercise, spend time with friends and family, and avoid eating unhealthy foods.”
Beth Rodriguez, program coordinator for the behavioral science department, said that distractions can further compound the struggles of those managing SAD or stress in general. She said that while students turn to social media, video games, and music as coping mechanisms, these distractions may often hinder rather than help.
“A lot of people feel like it is coping, but it’s not coping with the stress,” Rodriguez said. “It’s actually just causing more stress because you’re avoiding whatever you’re trying to do, but they’re avoiding it because they do have anxiety about completing it or not being able to complete it.”
A study by psychological scientists at George Mason University found that interruptions don’t just take up time; they also diminish the quality of people’s work. Rodriguez encourages students to develop a personalized study plan and to adhere to it.
“I think they need to make their own plan for studying, a to-do list so they can follow through and check things off,” Rodriguez said. “Just completing some action by checking it off actually gives you a boost in your motivation. So, you know, having that ability to check it off is just one of those things, if we can have a step-by-step process so they know exactly what’s happening.”
NIH said the cumulative effect of stress, SAD symptoms and distractions can also impact sleep, which in turn affects cognitive functions such as memory and learning.
“The more you struggle, the harder it is to do everything,” Melissa Eder, adjunct instructor and librarian, said. “You can’t think as well; your sleep will be impacted. Sleep is important to how well your memory is functioning and learning.”
Amarillo College offers ten free counseling sessions to academic students. To schedule an appointment, contact the counseling center at (806) 371-5440. Students also have 24/7 access to TimelyCare, an online health service where they can connect with a mental health specialist in minutes.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the suicide prevention hotline at 988.
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