Giant white snowflakes float from the overcast sky onto the grounds of campus as Ohio University students cry with laughter after sledding down Jeff Hill on blue dining hall trays.
All the while, Zane Lalli, a freshman studying photography, struggles with his lack of motivation to be active and head outdoors to enjoy the winter wonderland.
Lalli has Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression common among young adults that is brought about by a change in seasons, especially winter. SAD usually affects people beginning in the late fall and throughout the winter months, typically November through April.
Upwards of 25 million Americans suffer from SAD, according to 4therapy.com.
I became more reserved
less social said Lalli, whose symptoms began four years ago.
This change in behavior affected his relationships with his peers and family members. The only person Lalli shared his feelings with was his family doctor, who suggested a psychologist.
After two years, Lalli hit a breaking point and decided to take his doctor's advice by seeing a psychologist. The psychologist diagnosed him with SAD because of his change of thinking pattern, darker thoughts and increased isolation - all of which recurred in the fall and lasted until March.
Though he's been diagnosed with other psychological disorders, Lalli said he still senses a change in his mood and behavior during the winter months.
Although many people experience these mood changes, for a psychologist to diagnose a patient with SAD, he or she must exhibit persistent symptoms every day for three to four months, said Dr. Fred Weiner, psychologist and clinic coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services at Hudson Health Center.
Symptoms of SAD resemble those of chronic depression and include a depressed mood, loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, oversleeping and lack of concentration.
Weiner said the majority of those diagnosed with SAD do not exhibit severe symptoms, which would include suicidal thoughts, indecision, the inability to get out of bed and lack of social interaction.
Because no medical or blood tests exist to test for SAD, Weiner diagnoses his patients based on an analysis of their moods during certain times of the year and the way they affect their lifestyles. Weiner also asks patients if there is a seasonal change in the way they think and feel.
For students who have recurring mood changes - especially during winter months - Weiner recommends exercising on a regular basis, taking daily walks and socializing with others. In severe cases, Weiner suggests light therapy and antidepressants in addition to the self-care methods.
Experts recommend light-therapy devices because bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain's secretion of melatonin
according to Mental Health America. Melatonin is a sleep-related hormone produced by the brain. The brain increases production of melatonin when a person is in the dark, which causes experts to link the shorter days of winter with SAD.
Lalli said the hardest part was motivating himself to talk to a psychologist.
Take advantage of the health centers because I know that to get help is actually the hardest part
Lalli said. I think that's what helps the most
to not let it get to you
not let it take over you
to be able to still go out and enjoy life and not be cooped up inside.
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