Psychology Club learns about SAD

-- Brian H. Bollingberg

On a sunny. March day, the Psychology Club enjoyed lunch at Boca Chica Restaurante Mexicano, and listened to an informative talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by guest speaker Caryl E. Boehnert, Ph.D.

SAD was known simply as “winter depression” before it was taken seriously by the medical community. SAD is brought about by the decrease of intensity of light that we experience in winter. This lack of light affects serotonin levels in the brain, just like major depression does. Symptoms of SAD include weight gain, low energy levels, sleepiness, irritability, and a depressed mood during winter months.

Dr. Boehnert explained that the first statewide SAD program was started in Alaska, where the problem is so serious that workers there sometimes gain 50 pounds in a winter and fall asleep on the job while operating machinery. The oil companies have mandatory education to inform their workers about SAD and every judge’s office in Alaska has a light box.

Dr. Boehnert has worked with the FBI and emergency workers because SAD can slow reaction times. Because of this, the FBI has purchased light boxes for its offices.

What can you do to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder from affecting your winter experience? Dr. Boehnert recommends taking a vacation in December to a sunny climate. That treatment should treat mild cases until spring. For those of us who can’t get away during the gloomy winter months, she recommends taking at least a thirty-minute walk at noon and requesting an office with a window. You can also add a special light, made for replacing sunlight, to your office.

For more serious cases of SAD, Dr. Boehnert notes that a physician may need to prescribe an antidepressant, and that a light box used in the morning may be helpful.

For more information about SAD, visit http://www.LightTherapyProducts.com

If you are a psychology major or have an interest in psychology, please visit http://www.metrostate.edu/cps/psych/club.html for up-to-date information on topics and events. For specific information regarding the club please contact Club President John Souza via email at psychology-club@lists.metrostate.edu or call him at 612- 250-5413. Thank you for your interest in the club!

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