Seasonal Affective Disorder affects many

With the colors of fall fading, the end of the semester may leave students feeling blue.

The arrival of fall and winter brings colder weather, shorter days and, for many people, a considerable downturn in mood.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), feeling less energetic is a common complaint from people in the winter months. Most are able to overcome these “winter blues” and successfully go about their normal daily routines. For those whose symptoms incapacitate their ability to maintain the rush of the semester finale, however, the result may be more severe and require medical attention.

Bev Espe, assistant director of Health Services, said although Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects most people to some degree, there are ways to lessen the symptoms brought on by the winter season.

“The shortened daylight hours upset our bodies’ natural clock or Circadian Rhythm, which influences excessive sleepiness and hunger,” Espe said. “This decreases the level of serotonin in our brains and effects mood as a result. The idea is to increase the serotonin levels, by brightening up your environment.”

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved especially in the regulation of mood, and, therefore, certain mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, according to the APA Web site.