Outside conditions really can trigger depression

Frozen rain falling against a gray, cloudy backdrop sets a mysterious, wintry mood for some people. For others, it's downright depressing. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs in winter, can start as early as October and subside in April or May, said Dr. William Roddy, a psychiatrist in Florence.

The disorder affects about 6 percent of Americans, according to the American Psychological Association. Roddy and counselors in the Shoals said they see an increase in SAD diagnoses this time of year. "They say they can't wait for spring," Roddy said about his SAD patients.

There is modest research on SAD, and decreased amount of daylight because of shorter days and a family history are suspected to raise the chance of developing the disorder.

Medical theories behind SAD range from lack of sun leading to vitamin D deficiency and, in turn, causing fatigue, on short days, to the body producing less serotonin, a chemical the brain makes to send signals. "We think it is somehow tied in with limited sunlight," said Lynn Embry, a licensed professional counselor in Muscle Shoals.

SAD symptoms include fatigue, decreased interest in sex, increased appetite and feelings of hopelessness - all symptoms of clinical depression - which make the disorder hard to diagnose.

"Most people don't recognize (depression is) because of (SAD); they think they're depressed because of something in their life," said Rosemary Snodgrass, a licensed professional counselor in Florence.

The prescription for SAD?

Getting happy by getting physical.

"If someone is experiencing those feelings, they need to not give in to them - get out and do things," Snodgrass said. ... "Unfortunately, when you're depressed, what you want to do is turn out the lights, go to bed and pull the covers over your head, which is the worst thing you can do."

She recommends that people go outside, even if it's cloudy or rainy, to get energizing vitamin D from rays.

If social activities and exercise don't curb SAD, light therapy and antidepressants often do. During light therapy, a person sits near a lamp or light box emitting blue or white fluorescent light for about 30 minutes daily.

Most retailers don't require a prescription for light boxes and lamps, and SAD patients can buy them on the Internet. Roddy said side effects are uncommon.

Embry uses blue light therapy to treat her patients, who usually get light through their peripheral vision while they are reading.

If light therapy doesn't work, patients may need antidepressants, Roddy said. He warned that ignoring symptoms can lead to clinical depression or worse.

"It's important not to underestimate SAD, because it can become a serious depression if not treated," Roddy said. "Some people will become suicidal," Embry said.

Since SAD tends to be cyclical, it can be prevented the next winter.

Fickle weather is cyclical before spring, too. "This is what happens this time of year," said John Christy, state climatologist.

Temperatures reached daily record highs of 74 degrees on Feb. 5, and 71 degrees on

Feb. 6. between days of freezing temperatures, Christy said.

Pre-spring Alabama weather with its dropping temperatures and lack of sun followed by fleeting sunny days won't reverse SAD, Roddy said, but they provide temporary relief.

"Keep your coat handy," Christy said, because until May, North Alabama residents can expect flip-flopping weather: from freezing rain to robin's egg blue skies. "There's little day-to-day variation come late May," Christy said.

"Spring's eventually going to come," Embry said.

Not soon enough for SAD patients.

Jennifer Crossley can be reached at 740-5743 or jennifer.crossley@timesdaily.com.