Seasonal affective disorder: Fighting the winter blues

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Seasonal affective disorder can affect many people during the long winter months, but RAF Lakenheath's Health and Wellness Center offers a solution.

More than half a million people in the U.K. suffer from SAD or what many have come to call the "winter blues."

One reason for this is the change in quantity and quality of light people are exposed to on a daily basis. At RAF Lakenheath, people can receive less than seven hours of daylight due to weather. The lack of daylight affects some people more than others.

"Most of us feel better when the sun is shining. We feel more cheerful and energetic on nice days," said Maj. Cathy Snowball, 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron HAWC commander. "On grey, gloomy days, we are more inclined to stay indoors or even in bed, to do less work, to socialize less and to eat more."

Some of the symptoms of SAD are sleep problems, lethargy, overeating, depression, social problems, anxiety, loss of libido and mood changes.

One of the most effective treatments for SAD is light therapy.

"We offer servicemembers and their families a free way to treat SAD by offering light therapy rooms on a first come, first serve basis," said Staff Sgt. Natalie Gatewood, 48th AMDS Health and Wellness Center nutritionist.

According to www.sada.org.uk, light therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. Light therapy is the exposure to very bright light for one to two hours per day. The light should be at least 10 times the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting.

Many people may suffer from SAD, but thanks to the HAWC, the base population has an effective method of treating it.

For more information, call the HAWC at 226-2710.