Now that students have turned back their clocks and the first snow flakes have fallen, the collective mood on campus seems to vary between holiday cheer and winter drear. Winter blues can sometimes be fixed with the sight of a snowman or the hum of a holiday tune, but for some students this seasonal dip in mood might be a sign of a serious disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as SAD, is a mood disorder characterized by annual feelings of depression in the winter months. It is most often found in people who are of college age. Because of this, it is important for students to know what signs to look for and what solutions are available.

Justin Henderson, a pre-doctoral intern at the Counseling Center, described symptoms of SAD as feeling lethargic with a loss of pleasure in things that would normally bring joy. Sufferers may also feel strong cravings and withdraw socially.

It is important for students to recognize the signs of this disorder because it can occur in people with no history of mood disorders, although it is more commonly found in people that are predisposed to depression.

“Wherever you find people in winter, you’ll find some degree of Seasonal Affective Disorder,” said Dr. David Lawrance, medical director of McKinley Health Center.

Students must recognize that they have the power to take control of their mood patterns and have the ability to appease depressive times.

“Someone who has Seasonal Affective Disorder might stop feeling depressed specifically through the course of the seasonal change, so by summer they’re fine,” Henderson said.

In order to diagnose the disorder, a pattern must occur in changes of mood.

“To secure the diagnosis there must be a sense that this happens like clockwork,” Henderson said.

There are various ways to treat the disorder for those who have been diagnosed and simple things for other students to do in order to avoid the slip into sour moods.

With the onset of winter, students should look to regulate and control their sleeping routines and nutritional intake, even if their moods seem normal.

It is also important to maintain social networks, like a support system of family and friends, to keep from the withdrawal that can strengthen depressive moods.

Henderson described light treatments for those who have been previously diagnosed with SAD. This tricks the brain and body into believing it is sunny outside and raises one’s mood. While tanning beds may increase Serotonin, they produce many harmful rays and would not be a recommended treatment.

Depression can take a dangerous toll on the body, especially when mixed with a stressful period of time. With finals week pending, it would be advisable for all students to focus their eating, exercise and sleeping habits during this time.

“These things may seem small, but actually they have a profound effect on our mood, particularly if they’re stressed,” Henderson said.

It is important for students to take good care of their bodies in the winter months and when they feel the most overwhelmed, as these are times when health routines may become skewed.

“I worry mostly about people who know that they have issues but don’t know that they can address them, but that’s what we’re here for,” Lawrance said.

Dr. Lawrance wants students to remember that disorders, such as SAD, are nothing to be ashamed of, as they are common and treatable. He stresses the importance of seeking help when a problem is recognized.

So take notice this winter. Look to keep moods positive and steady through finals, registration and holiday shopping.

“We prepare for the winter in a lot of ways – by getting boots and winter gloves,” Henderson said. “So why not mentally prepare ourselves in the same fashion by finding things that will keep us emotionally warm?”

Nutritional intake is important, even if their moods seem normal.

It is also important to maintain social networks, like a support system of family and friends, to keep from the withdrawal that can strengthen depressive moods.

Depression can take a dangerous toll on the body, especially when mixed with a stressful period of time. With finals week pending, it would be advisable for all students to focus their eating and exercise habits.