Winter blues
How to cure winter depression when temperatures drop
By
CAROLINE DAVIS
For some college students, the winter season is a time for getting ahead
with studies, taking weekend skiing excursions,
or snuggling up
with a hot cup of cocoa.
|
| Dr. Kirk Luder,
University Counseling psychiatrist Photo by Caroline Davis |
But for other members of the Washington and Lee community, it’s a different story.
Frosty weather during winter term often heightens stress and overall unhappiness on college campuses. As temperatures plummet, a handful of the W&L student population may experience a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
University Counseling psychiatrist Dr. Kirk Luder, an expert on Seasonal Affective Disorder, says a student's decreased exposure to light during the winter is a major cause of the disorder.
Feeling like you might be suffering from SAD? For most people it's not that difficult to cure. One anonymous student spills on how she beat SAD with the help of her friends, a light therapy lamp, and the use of a personal journal.
SAD symptoms to
watch out for:
Weight gain
Change in appetite
Oversleeping
Avoidance of social situations
Decrease in energy levels
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability Source: eMedicineHealth
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd