Audrey Wu ‘28
EE Staff Writer
As the school year progresses further along, teachers and students alike are noticing a common trend: chronic fatigue, higher skip rates, and declining school performance. Students display low energy, difficulty completing school work, and trouble concentrating. Many chalk it up to typical teenage behavior, but the issue runs deeper. Professionals from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have observed Seasonal Affective Disorder as a cause of the declining mental trend.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is a type of depression that aligns with seasonal patterns, especially the fall to winter transition. Millions of Americans report experiencing SAD, occurring more often in women than men. It tends to be more prevalent among individuals with preexisting mental disorders or illnesses, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
SAD tends to be the most prevalent during the transition of fall into winter, as the days shorten and hours of sunlight decrease. The National Institute of Mental Health has observed reduced levels of serotonin production during the winter months. Serotonin is a brain chemical that is necessary for regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. Reduced sunlight exposure from shorter amounts of daylight has been found to affect the molecules that help maintain ideal serotonin levels.
Furthermore, shorter amounts of daylight reduces vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is an important contributor in regulating serotonin levels as well as supporting immune health. In addition to disrupted serotonin levels, melatonin is altered as well. Melatonin is produced in synchronization with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, leading to sleepiness and drowsiness. As clocks go back an hour, the small change can have large effects on the body’s circadian rhythm. People diagnosed with SAD produce irregular, increased levels of melatonin leading to exhaustion and fatigue.
Overall, the fall to winter shift disrupts the body and its functions. For many, the adjustment is difficult and leaves lasting effects which lead to the sleep, mood, and behavioral changes.
Experts from the National Institute of Mental Health have found several methods for alleviating the symptoms associated with SAD. Despite it varying among health care providers, more natural remedies are recommended for teenagers instead of prescribed medications. It’s recommended to get as much natural sunlight as possible, either through going outside or opening blinds. These natural sunlight treatments help to increase vitamin D production, helping to balance out the disrupted levels. Additionally, it’s recommended to follow the optimal sleeping hours for teenagers which is 8 to 10 hours. It’s also recommended to stay off of technology an hour before bedtime as blue light from cellphones are found to disrupt sleep. By doing so, it allows the body to reestablish necessary sleeping patterns.
Students face a lot of stigma around their fatigue and exhaustion and can be unfairly labeled as lazy or negligent. In reality, students balance many things between school work, sports, activities, and jobs. Not only that but, their bodies and minds are still developing and adapting to the biological challenges that occur with the changing of the seasons, such as SAD. It’s crucial for all educators, parents, and students themselves to have more empathy and understanding. Students need to have more compassion for themselves as well. Pushing one to their limits can only amplify the stress one faces. By better understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder, students can be better supported through the darkest months of the year, both literally and emotionally.
For more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, please refer to the National Institute of Mental Health or the Mayo Clinic Website.
Feature Photo Courtesy: iStock/Five Buck Photos