The months leading up to winter can be stressful for many, especially as work and school projects begin to pile up. But for some, the winter can hit a little bit harder.
A study by the American Psychiatric Association revealed that about 5% of the adult population in the U.S. experiences Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or about 10 million U.S. adults.
For IU junior Ellie Griffin, winter has always been a stressful time. She began noticing in middle school that her mood would drastically change as the days grew shorter and the sun didn’t shine. After some doctor visits in middle school, she was eventually diagnosed with SAD.
But when Griffin graduated high school in 2020 and left home to study tourism, hospitality and event management, she noticed the biggest change in her moods. She was a freshman on a campus with 50,000 other strangers. Many would consider it a clean slate, but Griffin was fearful.
As the winter months crept up, she saw herself over-sleeping, running late, or skipping classes in general. This is when Griffin said her symptoms hit her the worst.
IU junior Ellie Griffin talks about her journey with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how she continues to live with depressive emotions throughout the winter months. Griffin has struggled with SAD since she was in middle school.
Many medical professionals suggest that treatments for SAD can change from person-to-person, but there are two dominant treatments: medication and light therapy.
Common medications to treat SAD are certain forms of antidepressants, and are used for many other disorders as well. The less well-known option requires a special lamp that can provide an exposure of around 10,000 lux of light, mimicking sunlight.
To help combat symptoms of SAD, medical professionals suggest turning these lamps on for at least 20 minutes each day. Mayo Clinic has a set of guidelines for the most effective way to combat feelings of depression with light therapy. These guidelines emphasize at least 20 minutes of light therapy a day, as well as doing the light therapy within the first hour of waking up. They suggest keeping the lamp at least 16 to 24 inches away from the face and not looking directly into the light, for safety reasons.
Someone who has experienced both sides of SAD is Indianapolis nurse, Carly Hill. Hill grew up experiencing depression related to seasonal changes, but did not let that stop her from pursuing a career in the medical field.
Hill said she is more reliant on medications to combat SAD, but suggests that light therapy is also an incredibly effective treatment. Hill is very open about her use of medication to treat SAD, and said that she uses her story to break the stigma that medication equals imperfection.
Hill emphasized that although medications and light therapy are two efficient ways to treat SAD, cases look different for each person. She said that spending time outside, getting a full 8 hours of sleep and engaging in a hobby you enjoy are ways to boost serotonin and combat the symptoms of SAD. For Hill, enjoying time outside with her children is something she said she looks forward to everyday.
Carly Hill, a nurse at Hendricks Regional Center near Indianapolis, explains her knowledge in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), its symptoms and some potential treatments. While Hill works closely with SAD, she also experiences it personally.
When things seemed the darkest during freshman year, Griffin decided it was time to fight back. She began reaching out and making friends in order to stay busy, something she said helps her forget about the somberness, even for a few hours.
In conjunction with staying busy with friends, Griffin started getting a sufficient amount of sleep, staying off social media and making time for hobbies she enjoys. She also bought two light therapy lamps, and continues to use those daily to combat her symptoms.
Griffin said that some days it is hard to find the good, but she is thankful for the friends she made throughout the years, as they help her much more than they know.
The IU School of Medicine has implemented many different ways to help students on campus who may be dealing with SAD. Medical professionals can help treat students with light therapy, talk therapy, and medications.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing harmful symptoms of SAD and may need help, you can call the IU School of Medicine’s 24-hour crisis hotline at 317-278-HELP.
