Hindi maunawaan ni Yeng kung bakit sa tuwing sumasapit ang winter sa New York, bigla na lang siyang nadedepress. Three years na siyang based sa exciting na city na ito bilang copywriter at although nakakayanan naman niya ang lamig, at ang pagka-homesick, it seemed like everyday, ayaw na lang niyang bumangon despite her busy schedule.
Image from http://www.paulthecounsellor.com.au/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/
Iyon pala, Yeng has Seasonal Affective Disorder. Also called seasonal depression, SAD is a mood disorder that affects people living in colder and snowy climates kung saan less ang consistency of sunlight and brightness. Lalo na’t galing sa isang bright at maaraw na tropical country gaya ng Pilipinas si Yeng, mas lalong naka-apekto ito sa kanyang seasonal depression.
Naniniwala ang mga scientists na kapag ang isang tao ay may reduced exposure sa sunlight, nababawasan din ang pag-produce ng katawan ng serotonin. Ang serotonin ay isang chemical sa katawan na nakaka-influence sa ating mood at siyang nagpapasaya sa atin.
Kapag kulang ang katawan sa serotonin, maaaring madepress ang isang tao o magkaroon ng madalas na mood swings. Ngunit, bukod sa reduced sunlight, may iba pa ring factors na nakakapagpababa ng serotonin levels.
Seasonal Affective Disorder: signs and symptoms
Kabilang ang mga sumusunod na signs sa pagkakaroon ng seasonal depression:
- difficulty waking up in the morning
- nausea
- tendency to oversleep and over-eat, especially a craving for carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain
- lack of energy; inaantok during the daytime
- difficulty concentrating on or completing tasks
- withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities
Kung nangyayari ito sa tao sa tuwing sasapit lamang ang winter o holiday season, maaaring mayroon nga siyang SAD. Ngunit, kung all-year round ay ganito ang pakiramdam ng pasyente, baka ibang mood disorder na ito.
Overcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder
Sa matinding cases ng SAD, doctors may prescribe anti-depressant medications o di kaya’y light therapy. Sa light therapy, ine-expose ang pasyente sa bright lights for a certain period of time. This treatment will make up for the lack of bright light during the winter season.
Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_therapy
However, may mga practical namang paraan upang ma-overcome ang SAD.
Narito ang ilang mga tips:
1. Exercise.Subukang magkaroon ng outdoor physical activities for at least 30 minutes, tatlong beses kada linggo. Ang paglalakad pagkatapos ng lunchbreak ay nakakatulong magboost ng mood.
2. Diet.Eating a balanced diet na may fruits at gulay ay makakatulong sa inyong katawan. Maaari rin nitong malabanan ang cravings for more carbohydrates.
3. Socialize.Maski na nakakatamad at wala ka sa mood lumabas ng bahay, pilitin ang sarili na dumalo pa rin sa mga party at gatherings. Maski maliit na shopping date lang with friends or having coffee with officemates ay makakatulong na ma-maintain ang good mood.
Christmas blues
But, according to Clinical Psychologist Dr. Estrella Tiongson-Magno, hindi lang mga tao in countries that go through the winter season ang maaaring makaranas ng SAD.
Sabi niya, SAD affects people in all countries with Christmas celebrations. “Everyone is happy, feeling loved by family and friends. Kaya lang, some people feel unlovable because they don’t have anyone who loves them and they have no one to love as well. All hospitals are full during this season.”
Asked for advice para maiwasang mangyari ito sa sarili at sa mga mahal sa buhay, Dr. Tiongson-Magno simply states, “Do a good deed. At sana, often!” According to studies, doing good deeds helps lower stress levels and gives a person a natural feeling of happiness. Practicing charity not only at Christmas but all throughout the year should be a must in your lifestyle.
Image from http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426823&page=145
Mahirap makaranas ng depression, lalo’t ikaw ay nag-iisa at hindi mo alam na depressed ka na pala. Ngunit, kung aware ka sa changes sa iyong mood at katawan, at alam mong factor sa mga changes na ito ay ang iyong environment, ay mas madali mong maaagapan ito. With effort and patience, maaaring ma-overcome ang Seasonal Affective Disorder. Just stay positive always and have faith na after dark days, more bright ones are coming.
