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Light Wanes, Winter Blues Loom

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2007 4:24 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Utter darkness at 5pm might fan a night owl's flame, but for some 10% to 20% of Americans, autumn's lessening light can trigger a bad case of SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. The "winter blues," caused by leftover mammalian genes that want you to hibernate, can be treated with light therapy, reports USA Today.

"It's analogous to a permanent kind of jet lag," says one scientist. SAD is more common in northern states (no shock to New Englanders), and can be quite serious—severe sufferers can become suicidal. Doctors and scientists are exploring the use of several treatments, including antidepressants and hormone therapy. "Be preventative," says one psychiatrist. "See a doctor."

If winter makes you feel a little like this guy looks, a little light therapy might be in order.
If winter makes you feel a little like this guy looks, a little light therapy might be in order.   (Getty Images)
Winter can be blah.
Winter can be blah.   ((c) akk_rus)
Winter Blues Beckon As Daylight Hours Foreshorten
Winter Blues Beckon As Daylight Hours Foreshorten   (Getty Images)
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA -- Member of the Inner Circle, Bill Deeley, holds Punxsutawney Phil after seeing his shadow Saturday, February 2, 2002, signaling six more weeks of winter in North America.
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PENNSYLVANIA -- Member of the Inner Circle, Bill Deeley, holds Punxsutawney Phil after seeing his shadow Saturday, February 2, 2002, signaling six more weeks of winter in North America.   (KRT Photos)
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Start dealing with SAD early
Baltimore Sun

The Mayo Clinic's SAD page
Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic's recommendations for treating SAD
Mayo Clinic

 
antidepressant • Seasonal Affective Disorder • winter • hibernation • light therapy

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