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Research sheds revealing light on a depressing disorder many people endure Web posted December 17, 1996
By Tom Corwin
``My production level went from someone who is very productive to someone who was rarely productive,'' said Mr. Milliron, an Augusta researcher and substance-abuse counselor.
Originally, he was treated for depression, but eventually he realized that the short days and lack of daylight were part of his funk.
Commonly called ``the winter blues,'' seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a very real problem for about 10 million people a year. The difficulty for those who treat it, including Jeffrey L. Rausch of Medical College of Georgia, is determining who is suffering from the disorder, who is simply depressed, and who may be coming down with the ``holiday blues'' common during this season.
People with SAD have lost the natural rhythm that signals the body to fall asleep and awake at the proper times, Dr. Rausch said. The body's light-sensing pineal gland responds to lessening light by secreting the hormone melatonin, which helps bring the body to rest. Daylight signals the gland to shut off melatonin and allow the body to come awake.
But maintaining that cycle becomes more difficult for some people as the days grow shorter and light grows more scarce. Dr. Rausch likens it to the way the shorter days create hormonal changes in hibernating animals, causing them to sleep more, eat less, and slowing their metabolisms.
``We know that people don't hibernate, but what we think is that there are mirrors,'' or similar responses in humans, he said. Those with the disorder may experience similar sleep and eating changes. They also may have trouble concentrating, may become depressed and may even consider suicide.
Researchers still don't know why some people are affected more than others, but they have found an effective natural treatment - returning daylight, particularly morning light, to the person's life.
Dr. Rausch was part of research in California in the early '80s that hit on the link between morning light and SAD. When researchers look for causes and treatment, they look to the light, he said.
``What are the working conditions of the person? Do they have light in their office? How are they exposed to light at home? Do they sleep on the northeast side of the house with the curtains closed and not receive light until 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning?'' Dr. Rausch said. ``The first thing you would do is make changes in the home environment so that the person is exposed to natural sunlight and at the natural time of dawn.''
Sometimes banks of lights are used to administer at least 45 minutes of simulated daylight - about 1,200 lux, or the equivalent of being outside on a cloudy, gray day, he said. Timing is the key, he said.
``There seems to be a `critical period' when the retina, the eye, must receive the light in order for the treatment to work,'' he said. The ``critical period'' is thought to be between 3:30 and 8 a.m. but in any case should be earlier than the person is currently getting it.
Light therapy is what helped Mr. Milliron overcome his seasonal depression and in fact led to his work with other researchers on why the disorder is so prevalent among soldiers in Alaska. By measuring the amount of melatonin in the blood, the researchers found that it was high at 8 a.m., when it should be low, and low at night, when it should be high. They also found that the soldiers suffered higher rates of depression and alcohol abuse. Now working in substance abuse in Augusta, Mr. Milliron believes that some alcoholics may actually be trying to overcome the effects of their seasonal depression.
Drinking rates tend to increase around this time of year, and it can't be attributed entirely to the holidays, Mr. Milliron said.
Unlike the seasonal depression, the ``holiday blues'' are more like ordinary depression stemming from the stress of what is supposed to be the most joyful time of the year.
``For many people it can involve overcommitment, some type of sense of guilt, a sense that everything must be absolutely perfect,'' Dr. Rausch said. ``It could be linked to concerns of inadequacy or inferiority if you're not able to have a perfect Christmas.''
Treatment there could be addressing the stress and family issues causing the depression, Dr. Rausch said.
You can avoid pushing yourself into the ``holiday blues'' by being more realistic about your commitments this season, planning ahead and learning to say ``yes'' to enjoying yourself, Dr. Rausch said.
As we approach the winter solstice on Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year, the dwindling daylight may be giving you ``the winter blues.'' Signs to watch out for include:
While it may sound like a fad disease, seasonal affective disorder is a serious problem. If you believe you have it, consult a doctor. Taking walks on winter mornings and getting outside more are always helpful, as is regular exercise, suggests Light Up Your Blues, a book on the disorder. But effective light therapy should be done by a trained professional, the book said.
Or it may be the holidays that are bugging you. Here are some tips from Dr. Jeffrey Rausch on beating the holiday blues:
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