2008 Woodie Awards
Fishing for an answer
Feeling sleepy and blah lately?
Sherry Carstens & Cary Knier
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
Dear nurse and counselor:
Lately I've been feeling lousy. I am so tired and am falling asleep in my classes, even though I am getting more sleep at night. I have no energy and have not been going out with friends. I am feeling "blah," and just want to stay inside and eat junk food. Could I be depressed, or am I just getting sick?
--Sleepy and blue
Dear sleepy and blue: If you noticed these symptoms more recently, it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is what some people call "winter blues." SAD is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter between September and April, particularly during December, January, and February. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. Most sufferers show signs of a weakened immune system during the winter and are more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.
Here are a few things you can try:
*Get as much sunlight as possible during the winter months. Consider taking walks outside during midday.
*Consider light therapy. Light therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. Light treatment should be used daily in winter (and dull periods in summer) starting in early autumn, when the first symptoms appear. It consists of sitting two to three feet away from a specially designed light box, usually on a table, allowing the light to shine directly through the eyes. You can carry out normal activity such as reading, working, eating, and knitting while stationary in front of the box. A light box is available through Health/Counseling Services.
*Some people take antidepressants to alleviate symptoms of SAD.
*Counseling, or any complementary therapy which helps the person to relax, accept their symptoms, and cope with their limitations, is extremely useful.
*Eat healthy meals (including fresh vegetables, fruits, and water)
*Get exercise (especially outdoors)
*Balance the amount of sleep/exercise you get
Lately I've been feeling lousy. I am so tired and am falling asleep in my classes, even though I am getting more sleep at night. I have no energy and have not been going out with friends. I am feeling "blah," and just want to stay inside and eat junk food. Could I be depressed, or am I just getting sick?
--Sleepy and blue
Dear sleepy and blue: If you noticed these symptoms more recently, it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is what some people call "winter blues." SAD is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter between September and April, particularly during December, January, and February. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. Most sufferers show signs of a weakened immune system during the winter and are more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.
Here are a few things you can try:
*Get as much sunlight as possible during the winter months. Consider taking walks outside during midday.
*Consider light therapy. Light therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. Light treatment should be used daily in winter (and dull periods in summer) starting in early autumn, when the first symptoms appear. It consists of sitting two to three feet away from a specially designed light box, usually on a table, allowing the light to shine directly through the eyes. You can carry out normal activity such as reading, working, eating, and knitting while stationary in front of the box. A light box is available through Health/Counseling Services.
*Some people take antidepressants to alleviate symptoms of SAD.
*Counseling, or any complementary therapy which helps the person to relax, accept their symptoms, and cope with their limitations, is extremely useful.
*Eat healthy meals (including fresh vegetables, fruits, and water)
*Get exercise (especially outdoors)
*Balance the amount of sleep/exercise you get
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