If you have heard of the term “winter blues,” you probably associate it with someone who loses energy and has lower mood levels in the winter. Winter blues is a known phenomenon that affects most people who live in northern parts of the world; however, seasonal affective disorder can be much more serious than that. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that is associated with the lack of daylight in the fall and winter months. Along with living in a northern part of the world, the added stress of school can be devastating for students.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 15 per cent of Canadians will experience a mild form of seasonal affective disorder in their lifetime, and a further two to three per cent will undergo a much more severe form of seasonal depression. It is also said that women are four times more likely than men to be diagnosed with SAD. Students are at a high risk for seasonal affective disorder, and students in Guelph are not exempt from this risk since we endure severe winters, a significant loss of light, and typically spend a lot of time indoors.
Seasonal affective disorder usually begins to appear in people aged 20 and over, which is why students can be at a higher risk to experience SAD during their university careers. Symptoms include feeling tired all the time, weight gain, irritability, and poor moods. These indicators can be felt all at once or one at a time, and the presence one could be a sign of mild SAD, whereas experiencing several symptoms could be indicative of a more severe condition.
People who are only slightly affected by SAD are able to live their lives without too many major disruptions, whereas those with more severe cases often need to seek help. Treatments for seasonal affective disorder include light therapy, medication, counselling and self-help. Light therapy is one of the most effective treatments for people who are faced with severe cases of SAD. Light therapy requires the patient to spend about half an hour a day sitting in front of a special kind of light, usually called a day-light. Mild day-lights are available at stores such as Best Buy, but more intense ones are usually provided by a doctor.
Self-help is the best preventative measure to address seasonal affective disorder before it becomes overwhelming. Increasing your intake of vitamin D, which our bodies usually absorb from the sun, can help mitigate the effects of a lack of sunlight. Exercising regularly, having a healthy diet, staying connected with family and friends, and practicing stress management can have a significant beneficial impact.
Students face additional school stressors that can make battling seasonal affective disorder even more challenging. However, students at Guelph have access to counselling services through Student Accessibility Services to help combat SAD. Drop-in times are offered, as well as the option to book appointments. The Wellness Centre is another great resource for anyone with SAD on campus, as they always have someone who is available to talk.
If you believe that you may be affected by seasonal affective disorder, contact your doctor before self-diagnosing. A doctor can help you gain access to more counselling options, light therapy as well as medication if it is needed. The Health Services clinic on campus offers walk-in hours as well as appointments from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.