Many tune into the winter blues

Canadians face mental health battles due to winter season

By Jessica St-James

stja0023@algonquincollege.com

December and January are very important months on the academic calendar. With final exams and the beginning of a new semester, stress for students is at an all-time high. However, what might seem like a mild case of the “winter blues” could be a more serious condition known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

The Canadian Mental Health Association describes SAD as a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, usually beginning in the fall and ending in the spring.  Although there is no confirmed cause, it is usually linked to the lack of sun exposure we have during the winter. Decreased levels of vitamin D can have a very negative effect on our bodies, the health association says.  Although SAD can affect children and teenagers, it primarily occurs after the age of twenty. It is more common for people who live in northern countries like Canada.

For students, SAD is particularly dangerous because the symptoms interfere with everyday activities. Long hours spent indoors studying is one reason students are at high risk for this form of depression. People who experience SAD tend to be withdrawn and lack the drive and energy to complete routine tasks, including work and assignments.

Sam LeClaire, a first year general arts student, says there is a definite link between the winter season and academic performance. “More people are tired when it’s cold out,” said LeClaire. “They don’t want to go to class when it’s cold outside.”

Jenn Collette, a personal support worker student, has discussed SAD in her classes at Algonquin. She says there is definitely a link between the seasons and academic performance. “Everyone wants to hibernate,” Collette said.  “We spend more time indoors so we don’t get the vitamin D we need.”

So how can you tell if you suffer from this type of depression? Angie MacDonald, a health promotions nurse at Algonquin, says the three main symptoms are changes in sleeping patterns, appetite and activity levels. “What I suggest is for people to look at the stressful factors surrounding them,” MacDonald said. She says finances and assignments are leading causes of stress that can contribute to SAD in students. Stress during the winter months will only enhance the symptoms.

If you think you suffer from this condition, the first step to treatment is to see a health care professional says Krisstina Davis, a health promotions nurse at the college. Like depression, SAD must be diagnosed by a doctor.   

There are many different treatment options available after being diagnosed with SAD, Davis and MacDonald say. A doctor could prescribe medication or you could take a more natural approach. This could involve counselling, turning on more lights in your home or taking a vitamin D supplement. “Many pharmacies sell portable lights,” Davis says. This form of treatment is becoming a more common way of treating SAD. The lights are portable and small enough to carry with you. The concentrated light is an ideal method of treatment when sunlight is not readily available.