Your hands are freezing, your car won’t start and you haven’t seen the sun in weeks. Frigid winter weather can certainly be a bummer.
But for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, those chilly, cloudy winters are more than just
Photo courtesy of Mary Fristad
an annoyance.
For the afflicted, cold, cloudy weather can cause symptoms of depression, which can affect not only personal happiness, but relationships with loved ones and work productivity.
The symptoms of SAD are slightly different from those of other types of depression.
“It’s a ‘hibernating’ depression: increased sleep, increased appetite – especially carbohydrate craving – and decreased energy or fatigue,” says Dr. Mary Fristad, professor of psychiatry at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “If you could be a bear and climb into a cave for the winter, you’d be fine, but our schedules don’t permit that.”
Coping mechanisms do exist for those with SAD.
“Get outside for a brisk walk or other physical activity in the winter, especially on blue-sky days. Stay physically active, even if it’s indoors,” Fristad says.
Fristad also recommends using a light box, which mimics sunlight and can help individuals feel a little closer to those sunny summer days.
In a nutshell, staying active and taking advantage of what little sunlight is available – or just making your own – seems to be the best way to combat SAD.
Athnie McMillan-Comeaux is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
