Living in DeKalb, most of us are used to seasonal changes and may even crave the first snowfall.

But there’s something about the decrease in temperature and sunlight that makes us crave starchy foods and want to roll up tighter under the covers when the alarm goes off.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is when this unexplainable sluggishness and depression lasts through the entire winter season, only letting sufferers return to their normal energy levels and mood when the spring season brings longer days and warmer weather.

The symptoms of SAD are similar to many depression-related disorders. People suffering from SAD in the winter months experience tiredness, fatigue, depression, crying spells, irritability, trouble concentrating, body aches, loss of sex drive, poor sleep, decreased activity level and overeating, especially of carbohydrates, with associated weight gain.

Kay Aldrich, a sophomore pre-physical therapy major agrees that season affects mood.

“I sleep a lot more often. I get more irritable, more easy to snap at people,” Aldrich said of her experiences with season changes.

Unfortunately, this is just one more stress on top of general college life. Many students try to combat fatigue with caffeine. Poor diets and increased caffeine levels to stay awake during finals week can all add up to really high irritability levels and mood swings.

Treatments for SAD are linked to the cause of the disorder. It appears that it is caused by the decrease in bright light during the winter months. To combat this, phototherapy, or light treatment, can be used, such as sitting under bright florescent bulbs or spending time in a light booth.

Aldrich says that she tries to combat the change in mood by letting as much sunlight into her basement room as possible. “The natural light makes me feel happier,” she said.

Often, a change in temperature and environment will help reboot the brain’s chemicals, which is why beach vacations are so popular during the holidays.
If you find yourself experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, pay attention to your body and try some of these methods

When simple methods don’t relieve the symptoms, the sufferer might need professional help.
NIU provides free counseling in many different settings and types to students through Health Services.
For more information, visit http://www.uhs.niu.edu/uhs/psych.asp.

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