Christina Mehr

Seasonal Depression in Humboldt County

By Christina Mehr

Your mood darkens, you can’t get out of bed and hopelessness surrounds you as you lose touch with your friends and loved ones. This is what depression can feel like for some. the sun. Dr. Scott Carroll at Ayna Neuroscience Institute said that

The degree we feel these symptoms diff ers from person to person, but this issue aff ects us all. also believes that places farther north with persistent cloud cover, like in Humboldt County, are linked to lower energy levels as well as sad and irritable emotions during the winter.

Seasonal aff ective disorder, also known as SAD, aff ects many students, especially at the collegiate level. Seasonal or

“winter” depres- “sion occurs in the wintertime due to the lack of sunlight and vitamins the body receives. Why do our bodies go into hibernation mode when we are not exposed to sunlight as often? Is there a link between seasonal depression, the drop in temperature and increased cloud coverage, and if so, why does it hit students so hard? Think of your body as a plant. Plants can’t fl ourish to their full beauty and potential without a little help from “Students diagnosed with depression are more at risk to fall victim to the chemical eff ects of the weather changing,” said Carroll. It can aff ect motivation, study habits and productivity, all things that are critical to the success of a college student. Carroll

Diving deeper into the stories of some current students from around California, allows for an inside look at how seasonal depression aff ects them and their workfl ow. As the days get shorter and the Em Woods, a student here at nights get longer, our bodies Cal Poly Humboldt struggles with depression and bipolar receive fewer stimulants from disorder, and the cold weather can increase certain emotions. the sunlight, in turn making us suff er from symptoms of Colder weather makes me more sad. I have less motivation moodiness, irritability, sleeping to do simple tasks including homework or things that would too much, and low energy.” benefi t me,” Woods said. Originally, they came to Northern California for the beautiful scenery, but explained that since coming here from the central valley, they have felt more depressed to a certain extent.

Perhaps the simplest treatment is to increase “ your sunlight exposure by opening your curtains fi rst thing in the morning.”

They knew the weather here in Humboldt was going to be mostly rainy, but didn’t fully understand the eff ects it would have on their mood until they got to Humboldt and experienced it for themself.

Cal State Channel Island student Kevin Costello, stated that the weather made him feel “Very unmotivated and like I have no drive,” and said that it made him “stumble into laziness and feeling stuck within myself.” To Costello, when the fall season begins, he feels a sense of depression which can last about one to two months.

Others like Arvin Nooshi, a Cal State Northridge student, shared his lack of energy and motivation and depression when the seasons change. “Starting as it gets colder, maybe late October to the start of November, I think there is a decrease in the amount of energy I have,” Nooshi said. “It attributes to what I’m willing to do or not. It aff ects my mood because of the lack of energy.” Aisha Candrian Morten is a marriage and family therapist as well as a staff psychotherapist at Cal Poly Humboldt Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Morten explains what seasonal depression symptoms can look like in students.

“It’s all the depressive symptoms right, usually when I see people with seasonal depression, with SAD, is on the days where the sun’s not out, they can barely motivate themselves to do anything,” Morten said. “It’s harder for them to get out of the down in the dumps kind of feeling where they feel sadder or more negative about things.”

Morten said that students tend to dive into more negative thinking with the changes in the weather, but that the emotional changes are natural. She instead suggests that the darker times may be meant for more inward time, for quiet refl ection and healing.

What students can do to help navigate through dark thoughts and emotions

As the weather changes, so do our chemicals. The lack of sunlight we’re receiving is shown to reduce productivity in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. In turn, the production of melatonin and essential vitamins may be aff ected. Students aff ected by seasonal depression often end up sleeping in and not getting enough Vitamin D. According to Madeleine O’Keefe at Boston University, seasonal aff ective disorder occurs in .5% to 3% of individuals in the general population and aff ects 10% to 20% of people with major depressive disorder.

“We can treat any sort of depression, whether it’s seasonal depression or not, with things like working on some of our thoughts and behaviors, like how we are treating ourselves and how we are talking to ourselves makes a really big diff erence,” Morton said. Morten believes that community involvement in clubs and student activities makes a diff erence in treating the symptoms caused by seasonal depression, as well as activities like getting adequate exercise, eating well and changing the way we think about ourselves. Morten encouraged getting cognitive therapy and taking advantage of support groups through CAPS services, and in more severe cases, prescriptions for antidepressants or other medications to treat the chemical imbalance.

When it comes to treating ourselves, the most helpful thing we can do is increase our sunlight exposure.

“Perhaps the simplest treatment is to increase your sunlight exposure by opening your curtains fi rst thing in the morning,” said Carroll.

Morten believes that community in- Things like how you’re nourishing your Things like how you’re nourishing your body are important in treating seasonal depression. Diff erent vitamins and minerals help in making sure you’re getting things like Vitamin D, which comes from the sun. “Everyone should take Vitamin D in Humboldt County, especially in the winter, and there’s a lot of scientifi c evidence around that,” said Morten. Other treatments for seasonal aff ective disorder and its symptoms include light therapy. It can work to treat seasonal aff ective disorder by causing a chemical change in the brain to improve your mood. Spectrum light mimics outdoor light, something that suff erers struggle to get in the winter.

“Specifi cally for seasonal aff ective disorder, something that I really recommend is getting one of those full spectrum lights,” Morten said. “Put it on your kitchen counter where you eat breakfast every morning because the morning is a really good time to get the light in

your eyes.” “ It is important for students to remember they are not alone and that there are resources available. For students that are struggling, get involved within community spaces on campus like student-run clubs, activities, support groups, classmates, and/or advisors. Virginia Stockton, a sophomore here at Cal Poly Humboldt said she copes with her seasonal depression by inviting her friends over for quality time. “When I start to get into the habit of isolating myself and sleeping in, I know it’s the weather aff ecting me, so I usually try and get myself out of that mindset by surrounding myself with my friends.” It is essential to create a support group of people to help you cope with the winter blues. If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are multiple resources such as individual therapy and group sessions available through CAPS services to help you manage.

It is important for students to remember they are not alone and that there are resources available. For students that are struggling, get involved within community spaces on campus like student-run clubs, activities, support groups, classmates, and/or advisors. Everyone should take Virginia Stockton, a sophomore here at Cal Poly Humboldt said she Vitamin D in Humboldt copes with her seasonal depression by inviting her friends over for County, especially in the quality time. winter, and there’s a lot “When I start to get into the habit of isolating myself and sleeping in, of scientifi c evidence I know it’s the weather aff ecting me, so I usually try and get myself around that.” out of that mindset by surrounding myself with my friends.” It is essential to create a support group of people to help you cope with the winter blues. If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are multiple resources such as individual therapy and group sessions available through CAPS services to help you manage.mindset by surrounding myself with my friends.”

CAPS (707) 826-3236 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP