Feeling Low It Could Be Seasonal Affective Disorder

Feeling Low It Could Be Seasonal Affective Disorder Image Credit to normanrosenthal.com The start of spring semester can be daunting for a lot of reasons.   You have to start planning for your summer, applying for internships, and if you’re graduating, you have to start searching for jobs.   You have to get used to a new schedule and transition from the holidays back into the daily grind.   But there’s another reason that the beginning of spring semester can feel especially daunting: the weather.   If you attend college in New England, or anywhere in the world where winter is no joke and sunlight is scarce, the term spring semester is a bit of a misnomer.   Actual spring weather doesn’t come around until at least mid-March, which means you’re kicking off your term in cold, often snowy weather with very little sunlight.   This may seem like a trivial detailâ€"but it’s actually not.   Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression and it’s very real.   So if you’re having a hard time dragging yourself out of a funk in mid-January and wondering why it se emed so much easier in September, consider the possibility that something bigger than you could be the cause. Season Affective Disorder has a list of symptoms similar to those you probably already associate with depression, including but not limited to: anxiety, loss of energy, social withdrawal, oversleeping, appetite changes (especially increased carb-cravings), and difficulty concentrating.   The Mayo Clinic notes that cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder tend to become more common the farther one moves from the equator.    This is thought to be due to the decreased amounts of sunlight during winter in these locations.   Seasonal Affective Disorder is very treatable, but you do have to get yourself to a health center if you suspect you might be suffering from the disorder.   Be prepared for your appointment; this webpage has a great list.   Once they see you, a doctor can diagnose you and suggest appropriate treatment options.   These typically include light therapy and/or oral medication, but there are lifestyle changes and alternative medicine options you can try if you are concerned a bout taking pills.   Regardless, do keep in mind that the proper diagnosis and care can only come from an appointment with a medical professional. If your symptoms aren’t terribly severe and you feel you’re missing some of the key aspects of actual depression but still feel sluggish and not yourself, it’s also possible that you might have a Vitamin D deficiency.   According to the Daily Mail UK, nine out of ten people in Britain have a Vitamin D deficiency.   It’s not at all unusual to see such a deficiency, especially in climates that don’t see a lot of sunshine.   Harvard Health published a pretty comprehensive article on the topic.   It contains a particularly helpful discussion on how Vitamin D deficiency is an issue in regions that lie above or below the equator by thirty-seven degrees or more.   This puts New England squarely in the area where Vitamin D deficiencies are commonplace.  If you think you aren’t getting enough Vitamin D, make an appointment with your school’s health center and share your concerns with a professional.   Correcting a Vitamin D deficiency usually just involves taking a Vitamin D su pplement.   These are pretty readily available; CVS carries them.   Your doctor should be able to suggest the correct amount to take and even perhaps which brand is best. Regardless, don’t worry.   If you suspect you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder or a Vitamin D deficiency, there is no reason to panic.   Both conditions are very treatable and there are lots of helpful books on the subjects.   A great one to have if you do find you have Seasonal Affective Disorder is Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal.   He has a very helpful website as well.   Arm yourself with knowledge, but don’t overreact, and bear in mind: Spring is on its way.