Feeling Down? It Might Not Be the Winter Blahs
Everyone experiences sadness and down times periodically, especially when they're cooped up inside a school building all day during one of Michigan's long and exceedingly gray winters.
It's normal for school employees - new employees and veterans - to experience the winter blahs and the post-holiday blues after returning from the Christmas break. The end of the semester is near and it's many weeks before spring break.
For most people, the sadness is temporary, and exercise, favorite hobbies or a change of pace helps them feel better.
But if you've found that you feel down and depressed every winter season and the feeling is hard to shake, you may be one of the 10 percent of Michigan residents who suffer from a very real physical condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Seventy-five percent of the adults who suffer from SAD are women. The condition also strikes children and adolescents.
SAD is a clinical depression that may be related to fewer hours of sunlight. Less exposure to sunlight can affect hormone levels, resulting in increased levels of melatonin and diminished serotonin.
Symptoms of SAD include crying spells, irritability, diminished concentration, fatigue, weight gain, cravings for sweet or starchy foods, headaches and problems with sleep. Although each person experiences different symptoms, the timing of the symptoms is constant from year-to-year, usually beginning in late fall and resolving during springtime.
Most sufferers of seasonal affective disorder do not get diagnosed because of a lack of awareness and appreciation for its seriousness.
Fortunately, SAD is very treatable. Treatment options range from light therapy with a special fluorescent light, to counseling, to anti-depressant medication. The special type of light is considered durable medical equipment and may be covered by your insurance plan. MESSA (Michigan Education Special Services Association) members can call the MESSA Benefits office at 1.800.292.4910 to verify their coverage.
If you think you may suffer from seasonal affective disorder, your doctor can diagnose it and get you the help you need.
But if you're confident it's just the winter blahs, take some time for yourself to do something you enjoy - and rest assured spring is only a few months away!
This article was authored by Steve TePastte, M.D., MESSA Medical Director.
For additional information about depression, anxiety and seasonal affective
disorder, visit MESSA's online partner, Mayo Clinic, at www.messa.org.
Click on the link to Mayo Clinic.
Updated: February 18, 2009 7:34 PM
