Are you having trouble rolling out of bed in the morning? Are you experiencing bouts of low energy and fatigue? While most high schoolers are sleep deprived, there could be something more to your drowsiness. According to Web MD, these symptoms, along with sudden mood changes and loss of interest in everyday activities, could be signs of SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

    Also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, summer blues, or seasonal depression, SAD is a type of depression which fluctuates based on the amount of sunlight a person is exposed to during the day.

    While experts are not completely sure of the causes, many believe that a lack of light results in the disruption of a person’s sleep-wake cycle, and that it may affect a person’s level of serotonin, a brain chemical which alters mood. For this reason, a person with SAD may experience increased symptoms during the winter, when the days get shorter. Junior Maeve Burke believes that she might experience Seasonal Affective Disorder during winter months. “I start feeling very sad after my birthday, which is in December, and it lasts until about May,” Burke said.

    If you believe you are affected by SAD, you might be wondering about the next step in diagnosis. Ms. Heffernan, an SHS health teacher, says that she hears from a lot of students who are concerned about possible SAD symptoms. “It’s common enough that a lot of people bring it up to me” she said. Regarding self diagnosis, Ms. Heffernan said, “If you’re feeling down during the winter months, there are strategies that can be taught to help you through it.” She recommended talking to your family or your doctor, also citing Ms. Lopes, SHS adjustment counselor, as an appropriate consultant.

    When it comes to the treatments that are available for Seasonal Affective Disorder, light therapy is a common solution to the lack of sunlight a person is exposed to during certain parts  of the year. A variety of devices can be used which emit bright light, with a recommended exposure time of about a half hour.

    Senior Fiona Martin, whose family  recently acquired a new sauna equipped with specially-colored lamps, has experience with light therapy. According to Martin, it can help to balance the body physically and emotionally. “Light therapy helps to reset your inner biological clock and helps to regulate sleep and mood,” she said.

    Less conventional treatments include dawn simulation, in which another light-emitting device is used to simulate a sunrise while a person wakes up, getting brighter with time. For those that are seriously affected by SAD, different methods of treatment like antidepressants and counseling are often considered more effective.

    While SAD can seriously influence a person’s life, it’s evident that there are numerous ways to combat the gloominess of winter months. If you’re just craving an escape from winter, though, the South Shore YMCA is always a good place to be, with bright lighting and numerous indoor pools, saunas, and hot tubs.