Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Seasonally Affective Disorder

As it turns out, many of us might have SAD or seasonally affective disorder ever since the sun started going down at 4PM. According to a New York Times article today, SAD is described as...

...an affliction that leaves many wanting to climb into bed, put their heads under the covers and not come out until spring. Indeed, some experts refer to SAD as a form of hibernation.

The problem typically starts gradually as the days become shorter in late summer or fall and peaks in midwinter in regions where there may be just 9 or 10 hours of daylight, if that.

For the estimated 14 million severely affected American adults, SAD can send them into a tailspin that makes it difficult if not impossible to fulfill daily responsibilities and derive any joy from life. An additional 33 million people are less severely affected but may experience declines in energy, cheerfulness, creativity or productivity in the dark days of winter.
So, ya, you sure you don't have SAD? Some how I don't see Parton Health Center helping you out on this one.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

actually...

If you feel the need for some extra light -
come to the Counseling Service and use

SUNNY

our High Intensity Lamp which
may be helpful for low mood and
Seasonal Affective Disorder

(from http://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/services/cchr/)

Unknown said...

Additionally, there is a SAD light in the CTLR lounge area.

Ryan Kellett said...

Dang, who knew? If only students knew of the resources at their disposal!

Unknown said...

leave it to the texans to know where to find sun! :)

Anonymous said...

Last year they sent out an all campus email warning everyone and inviting them to go to either the counseling cener or CTLR. You can actually call and make an appointment. I wonder why the same email hasn't been sent this year.

Ryan Kellett said...

perhaps it's because the weather's been so cheery and it didn't snow until Dec. 4th?

on the books...