Seasonal Affected Disorder

This winter Newtown has seen frigid temperatures and a large amount of snowfall. This has resulted in an increase of darker days causing depressing moods and low energy levels in people. 

During the winter months, people experience a chemical change in their brain from the shorter days and lack of sunlight. The human body also makes more melatonin during these darker days because hormones are triggered because light is scarce. Most people experience this from the beginning of fall through the winter months, however there is also a spring through sumer version of this disorder. 

“During the winter months, we’re robbed of exposure to sunlight. In order to have vitamin D metabolized, you need sunlight. So people have low vitamin D levels, which is linked to depression,” said Robert Ostroff, MD, co-medical director of Interventional Psychiatry Service at Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and clinical professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine.

Symptoms people might experience could be, low energy, persistent sadness, loss of interests, increased appetite, oversleeping, and reduced work productivity. These symptoms could become more severe and some professionals have mentioned it might be positive to seek mental health help. Women are also shown to experience this disorder the most out of the 11 million people said to be affected in the United States.

“It’s relatively common, depending on the severity of the individuals who may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder,” Dr. Ambrose said. “One of the reasons why they believe that it’s likely related to the reduced sunlight exposure during the winter months is because the prevalence of reported seasonal affective disorder tends to vary based on geographical location,” Adrian Jaques H. Ambrose, MD, MPH, a pediatric neurointerventional psychiatrist in New York said. 

The disorder is treatable and there are ways to treat it without using medication. Things like, going outside and taking a walk, opening the blinds when you're in indoor environments, exercising and doing any physical activity, taking vitamin D supplements or food, and keeping a constant sleep schedule. Simply asking for help from a medical provider isn't a bad idea either. 

“I think the winter can be tough and limit people from their everyday lives. Possibly being more active and getting outside could be helpful,” NHS sophomore Kaylin Pimentel said. 

A fun way to receive light could be to invest in a sun lamp.  Using it for 30-45 minutes a day could be a beneficial idea to receive vitamin D. It is considered a form of light therapy and it mimics natural light. It’s also a cheap way to receive help with no prescription needed. 

“A sun lamp seems like a fun option to receive some light everyday during the winter. As long as it helps and improves symptoms for people then I think it would be beneficial," NHS sophomore Charlotte Grasso said.