By Devon Douglas
The Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
After several years of battling depression, Towson University sophomore Sophia Lopez wants to share her experience with seasonal affective disorder to warn others of its possible severity this upcoming fall and winter.
Anyone can develop seasonal affective disorder, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Like many, Lopez was diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. It’s been a few years since and it’s been “an ongoing trap” for her. She first knew something was wrong when she annually felt depressed during the same time of the year. This year specifically, she wants others to know of its risk.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Amelia Hall of the Waldorf Pinnacle Center, the condition is a recurrent major depressive disorder that mostly occurs during the fall and early winter seasons as the body responds negatively to the environment. It has existed for 150 years but was recently recognized in the 1980s.
“A lot of people don’t think it’s a real disorder,” Hall said. “However, 10 million people suffer from it.”
Symptoms are similar to depression. Low energy, weight gain, and hypersomnia are among the most common. Many also experience social withdraw, lack of focus, and anxiety.
During the summer, Lopez’s favorite time of the year, she’s untroubled. She spends time with friends at amusement parks, swims at the beaches in Puerto Rico, and exercises constantly. However, at the beginning of fall, her mood completely changes. She’s depressed, gains weight, and feels like sleeping all day.
“When you think of fall and winter you think of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Lopez said. “But nobody talks about the serious depression that happens around these times.”
Cases could heavily increase this year due to the pandemic and racial tensions that have highlighted 2020.
“With the stress of the virus, racial tensions and the presidential election, we’re going to be dealing with its trauma for a long time,” Hall said. “Depression could develop.”
Lopez wants everyone to become educated on seasonal affective disorder this year.
“Because of the virus and multiple conflicts, there could be even more depression,” Lopez said. “Everyone should understand SAD thoroughly, so they won’t be affected.”
There are many possible causes to this disorder. Hall said research has shown that darkness increases production of melatonin, which manages sleep. Because winter days are shorter, melatonin increases, and this makes people sleepier and moodier.
“There’s something about the minimization of sunlight,” Hall said. “Most people need sunshine to feel happy.”
As a 19-year-old woman, Lopez has a much higher chance of developing the disorder.
“Women are four times more likely to develop the disorder than men,” Hall said. “People between the ages of 18 and 30 are also at a high risk.
Lopez being a full-time college student could further explain the disorder’s development.
“College is overly stressful,” Hall said. “That kind of stress can play a role.”
Personal problems, major events, and loss could also add to its development.
“I have a coworker who lost their father during the fall,” Hall said. “Now every fall she shuts down, but she is fine the rest of the year.”
The disorder can become critical once it affects people’s daily functions.
“If you can’t cook for your kids or go to the grocery store without having issues then it’s critical,” Hall said. “I’ve had patients that eventually needed a higher level of medical attention because they’ve had issues or became suicidal.”
It can also be hereditary. Lopez’s mother was diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder seven years ago.
“My mother acts the same way I do during the colder seasons,” Lopez said. “I think because of our condition, we both limited ourselves from making strong relationships with others.”
Sophia Lopez’s mother, Laura Lopez, said that their shared condition could be a result of her divorce. She and her ex-husband separated years ago but it’s still a tough subject.
“I’ve been dealing with a lot in the past years,” Laura Lopez said. “Being a single mother and the stress of work becomes overwhelming.”
Sophia Lopez and her mother plan to improve their conditions through meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy to rid their negative thoughts and to participate in pleasurable activities.
According to Hall, those who experience critical symptoms may need medication such as antidepressants and hospitalization. The best treatment for non-critical cases is self-care. Meditation, physical exercise and therapy could improve conditions.
“People need to understand their environments and what really stresses them out,” Hall said. “Separate yourself from stress and get access to what you can do to better yourselves.”
Sophia Lopez hopes her experience can help bring awareness to seasonal affective disorder during this difficult time.
“I want everyone to be happy,” Sophia Lopez said. “Life can be stressful, but we get to choose our next steps. We have more control than we think.”