wednesday, february 11, 2004
news
the university daily kansan
5A
Winter can trigger disorder; new drug may be solution
By Matt Rodriguez
mrodriguez@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Months of cold weather and cloud cover may have some students feeling run-down and apathetic. And while they may not be suffering from a cold or the flu, they might have SAD — seasonal affective disorder.
SAD is a type of depression that starts during the winter because of the lack of intensity and duration of sunlight.
It begins during daylight saving time when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, said Michael Jacobs, psychologist at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Although research shows that this disorder occurs more in the Northern United States, the disorder does occur in this area, said Frank DeSalvo, director for Counseling and Psychological Services.
DeSalvo and Raymond Higgins, director of the University's psychological clinic in Fraser Hall. said they have seen some cases of seasonal depression on campus.
Paul Saab, Newton senior, said he knew people who claimed that they suffered from seasonal depression but was still skeptical about SAD.
"I think everybody gets down during the colder months unless you're a winter person, but it's just the bad weather that's making them feel depressed," Saab said.
Jacobs said one reason that sunlight alters our mood was that it affected the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Exposure to sunlight can increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, Jacobs said.
The symptoms of SAD and a lack of serotonin are fatigue, an increase in carbohydrate cravings
"I think everybody gets down during the colder months unless you're a winter person, but it's just the bad weather that's making them feel depressed."
Paul Saab Newton senior
Jacobs said research showed that SAD occurred more in women, and that it was most dominant from ages 20 to 30.
and a general lack of interest in activities that a person would normally enjoy.
Psychologists have used various techniques, such as light therapy, to help their patients.
The Bert Nash Mental Health Center, 200 Maine St., had a program that used light therapy, but the program was stopped this year because of the increasing availability of light therapy equipment to the public, said Debrah Steinburg, medical director for the Center.
"Since the cost of light boxes went down, patients are buying them and using them at home instead of coming to a clinic and sitting in front of a light," Steinburg said.
Serotonin-inhibiting medicines such as Zoloft and Paxill are prescribed for several types of depression, Steinburg said.
But for a person suffering from a clear case of SAD, light therapy should be the first option because it is the safest.
Others psychologists are using natural forms of therapy to help those suffering from SAD.
Researchers at the University of California-Berkeley found that the dietary supplement SAM-e
Eat a well-balanced diet. Take vitamins and make sure to get enough fresh fruit and vegetables.
Tips to defeat SAD
Exercise. Physical exercise may release hormones and neurochemicals that restore your body's balance.
Yoga is helpful for relieving feelings of anxiety due to its breathing and meditative practices.
Talk to your doctor.
Socialize.
Source: Richard Brown M.D., and associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University
could be effective for treating many types of depression, including SAD, but with fewer side effects than some anti-depressants.
SAM-e is a synthetic form of chemical compound that our body produces naturally.
Like other supplements. SAME is not regulated by the U.S. government, but in Europe the supplement is regulated as a drug and prescribed to Europeans suffering from SAD and other types of depression.
Jacobs said SAM-e had helped his patients improve their emotional stability, which ultimately improved their health.
"If a person is not emotionally well it's impossible for them to be physically well," Jacobs said.
- Edited by Paul Kramer
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