Final 1 - Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD)

This topic submitted by Lindsay Fallert, Alyssa Moll, Shira Moskowitz, Katy Workman on 12/15/03 .

Natural Systems 1 Syllabus---Western Program---Miami University

Question:

Depending on the season, the amount of sunlight a person receives each day will vary. In the summer there is more daylight than in the winter. The amount of sunlight in the spring and fall is roughly equal, except the amount of daylight is either growing or shrinking respectively. Within each season there is an arrangement of weather patterns, such as overcast with clouds, sun with a few clouds, fog, rain, thunderstorms, blizzard, hail, snow, sun, and temperature. Each of the weather patterns is a factor in the amount of sunlight a person receives for that day. For some people, the amount of sunlight that they receive each day can significantly change their emotional responses throughout the day; the proper name for the concept of how weather and especially the amount of sunlight effects peopleÕs moods is Seasonal Affect Disorder, also known as SAD. Through this lab the truth about the affect of weather on peopleÕs moods and emotional states of mind will be explored and evaluated. For example, are people generally in a better mood when the sun is shining than when it is cloudy? If this is true, does it make sense to use the bright treatment lights, which imitate sunlight, to improve ones mood?

Hypothesis:

PeopleÕs moods are affected by seasons and the weather. The amount of sun that can be viewed each day is directly related to how people feel. Weather is also an important factor in peopleÕs moods. If the weather outside is clear, sunny and warm, than their moods will be happy, energetic and confident, while if the weather outside is stormy, cloudy, foggy, rainy, etc. than their moods would vary accordingly; upset, lethargic, reserved. Weather is not the only factor; the number of daylight hours, and therefore the amount of sunlight can also affect peopleÕs moods. Imitation sunlight produced by light-boxes can improve the mood of those affected by lack of sunlight. Through questionnaires and surveys, this lab intends to prove that if the weather is bright and sunny then the test subjects will be in an overall better mood.

Introduction:

ÒThroughout the centuries, poets have described a sense of sadness, loss and lethargy plus tiredness, a bit of weight gain, difficulty getting out of bed and bouts of "the blues" which can accompany the shortening days of fall and winterÓ (Watkins, 2001). Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a basically universal depression. Of course it ranges in degree from severe to barely noticeable; however no one is quite certain why the change in seasons and the amount of sun received by individuals plays such an important role in mood and depression. There appears to be Òmarked biological changesÓ that occur in many individuals between summer and winter months, although the causes of the changes are still under full investigation (European Psychiatry, 1996). This is a major reason that we decided to research the topic, because such a universal disorder will likely affects many of our everyday relationships. One interesting fact is that humans are not the only animals that suffer from such season affects, most animalsÕ do (National Mental Health Association, 2003). A less professional name for this disorder is Ôwinter bluesÕ or Ôwinter depression.Õ Although rare, summer depression has also been diagnosed (Primer, 2003). However, SAD is more involved than the basic winter blahs, and is a diagnosed case of depression that does require treatment and knowledge to overcome the emotional struggle (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2003).

Searching for treatment uncovered a vast expanse of remedies. Several of these were from widely accredited health agencies, yet there were also sites that offered more personal, alternative methods for coping with SAD (Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, 2001). The most common treatment was about light, especially sun light and the relationship between it and mankind (Beckett, 1998). Special sun-lights have been created to provide artificial lighting. These Ò10,000-lux lights contain white fluorescent light tubes covered with a plastic screen that blocks ultraviolet raysÓ (Cleveland Clinic, 2003). Most patients remain in the room with the lamp for around ninety minutes. Many other common depression disorders such as circadian cycles and disruptions from jet lag are being tested with these lights with positive results (Lundberg, 1998). In addition, Sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are showing positive results when exposed to light boxes (Journal of Affective Disorders, 2003). Another treatment that is in experimental stages is the Rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS)m. (European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2002)

The causes of SAD are widely debated; around one tenth of the population suffers from this disorder. Out of the diagnosed patients, three fourths of them are women (WSC Counseling Center, 2002). In fact, even between the women and the men diagnosed, the women usually have larger mood swings from the changes in weather (Archives of Women's Mental Health, 1999). Typically SAD does not show until mid to late twenties, and the risk decreases with age, however, many teens suffer from a milder response to the changes in seasons, offering a symptom or developing SAD later in life (Girl Power: Health, 2003). It is also proven that residents of Northern and Southern countries suffer a higher rate of SAD because of the greater variance of the sun light (Lam, Raymond, 2003). In fact, several sources point to a biochemical imbalance in the brain that causes a greater response to the effects of the sun and SAD (SADAssociation, 2001). One aspect of the human anatomy which is being studied for a direct correlation to SAD is abnormal thyroid processes (Journal of Affective Disorders, 1995). Many resources offer links to many other pages, these act like databases to use as a starting point, to browse certified links (US National Library of Medicine, 2003). Many resources give symptoms of SAD, and a few actually give tips on whether a diagnosis might be helpful, these ask detailed questions about mood cycles and offer one better insight into emotions and changes in mood (Center for Mental Health Services, 2001).

Light is an important factor for all life on the planet, including both plants and animals. Obviously sunlight is being proven to affect emotions, and it also is being shown to have a huge influence on sleep cycles and circadian rhythms (Outside In, 2003). Typically, the side effects for light therapy are ignored and treated like miniscule problems because they are so rare, yet they exist and include jitteriness, a feeling of eyestrain and a headache (Watkins, 2001). Although this disorder is annual, the people affected do not always allow their depression to take over, in fact, several have become doctors who specialize in SAD, and who would be better for the job? Several of these doctors have posted interviews to offer information, hope, and answers to commonly asked questions for others dealing with SAD (Oh, Clare, 2000; Lam, R.W. 2003).

Methods:

During ÔOur DayÕ one interview worksheet (sample below) will be passed out to each member of the Natural Systems class of first year college students. Surveys (sample below) about the moods of the test subjects (class members) will be distributed intermittently throughout the week at two oÕclock each day. The sample groups will be Chris MyersÕ Natural Systems class (Tuesday and Thursday) and Yvonne KellerÕs Creativity and Culture class (Wednesday and Friday). The weather conditions in Oxford, Ohio will be recorded for the tested days based on the data collected from WeatherBug online. WeatherBug offers the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and amount of rain for that day. Once the data is collected, a correlation between mood and weather may be determined.

Survey
Date:
Age:
Gender:
Please rate which one best exemplifies your mood today:
1) Energetic Lethargic
1 2 3 4 5
2) Sad Happy
1 2 3 4 5
3) Upset Content
1 2 3 4 5
4) Confident Shy
1 2 3 4 5
5) Calm Stressed
1 2 3 4 5

Interview
Date:
Age:
Gender:
1) What is your favorite season? Why?
Do you prefer:
2) To do your work outside or inside?
3) If you exercise, do you normally do it outside or inside?
4) Rain or no rain? Why?
5) Sun or no sun? Why?
6) Snow or no snow? Why?
7) Clouds or no clouds? Why?
8) Does the temperature affect your daily routine/plans?
9) Does the amount of precipitation affect your daily routine/plans?
10) Do you tend to spend more time indoors in the Summer or Winter? Why?
11) Do you notice a change in your mood from season to season? When? Why?

Our Day:

Begin by discussing the basics of Seasonal Affective Disorder, and asking the class if they are aware of anyone diagnosed or if they themselves are. Attempt to get a discussion going. Ask if anyone in the class notices a change in their own, or others, general mood and outlook from season to season? Pass out the crossword puzzle. Emphasis will be placed on interesting facts e.g. animals suffering from SAD (pets?) and the little known existence of summer depression. Share personal anecdotes about SAD and its affects. Show a sun lamp to offer a visual representation of treatment, and have lamp on during class; while we are not expecting any emotional change it will be interesting to record if there is. Read a list of questions to stimulate discussion and provoke inquiry into the subject matter. Jolly Ranchers will be given to anyone who answers a question, and any person who finishes the crossword puzzle correctly. Towards the end of the class period, short segments of three movies (The Lion King, Thirteenth Warrior, Chicago) depicting SAD (or weather impact on life and literature in general) will be shown to keep attention, and to provide a change in pace. At the end we will have a question and answer section in which we will offer additional information to any interested people.

Observations:

During ÔOur DayÕ the window shades were closed to allow the subjects to see the videos, and the outcry by the students was shocking. It was a beautiful, sunny day outside which they did not want to miss. Their response fit with the theory that more sunlight means better moods. It became increasingly obvious that recent external forces were also playing a huge role in the moods of the subjects. As an example, in the surveys filled out directly after the CC lecture where the final paper was cancelled, the students were in much better moods, and even wrote on the sheets that the cancellation was the reason they were so happy and content. The light box used during ÔOur DayÕ did not seem to improve anyoneÕs mood. In fact, with how bright the light was and it glaring into the subjectsÕ eyes, it almost had the opposite effect of annoying the subjects.

Results:
Figure 1.1

Figure 1.1 displays the interview results for the question of Òwhat is your favorite season?Ó Spring is the most popular amongst the class, while winter is the least favorite.

Figure 1.2

Figure 1.2 compares the survey questions with the general weather data, which means whether there were clouds or no clouds (sun only). They are not statistically significant.

In Figure 1.3, question five versus weather is statistically significant. The next tables represent temperature versus the questions. None of these are statistically significant.
Figure 1.3

Conclusion:

The results gleaned from this experiment were unable to reject the null hypothesis. None of the p-scores comparing each question on the survey to both temperature and general weather conditions showed the results to be anything more than pure chance except for question five versus the weather, which shows that being either calm or stressed depends on there being clouds or sun. However, it would have been interesting to see if keeping the results in numerical format instead of changing them to low (one and two), medium (three), and high (four and five) would have altered the results significantly. It would also be worthwhile to see the comparison between the different sexes even if they proved fruitless in the search for noteworthy results.

Interestingly the interviews proved otherwise, that mood does seem to change in correlation to weather. Across the board, the least favorite season was winter, and the favorite weather conditions included sunny and warm. Everyone stated that they tended to stay indoors during the winter more often due to the weather (or their car not working as well).

While the results showed no direct correlation between weather and mood, the interviews proved that one does exist. Five out of the twelve students in Chris MyersÕ Natural Systems class stated in the interview that they observed a notable alteration in their own mood due to the changing seasons. One other student mentioned that while she does not recognize these changes in herself; they are obvious in the people around her.

Because our collective research was based on daily moods, there may have been a skewed perspective because SAD relates to mood changes going from season to season. Since this experiment took place during one semester and therefore was only able to test two seasons (autumn and winter) a complete correlation between weather and mood was unable to be determined. In addition, there may have been a distortion because a test-person simply had a bad day, or may have other problems not related to weather, which would make them feel a certain way. One specific example of this would be a womanÕs menstruation cycle, and the effect that has on hormones and mood. Around half of each class was female and therefore could have been affected during the experiment. There are so many uncertainties that just had to be converted into black and white, with as little room to vary as possible.

In the future, the data should be collected at least once a week and over an extended period of time such as an entire year. It would prove beneficial to have a wider variety of test subjects, since the majority of the ones participating in this study were white, affluent teenagers from the Midwest. This would enable the researchers to formulate a better idea of how many people are affected emotionally by the weather and the change in seasons. Most everyone is affected in some way by the weather and changing seasons, but as to how many people would be officially diagnosed with Seasonal Affect Disorder, the answers lie in studies yet to come.

Bibliography:
1. Beckett, Elizabeth Holly Bernitt, and Vishwa Chandra. ÒS.A.D.Ó 1998 ThinkQuest
Internet Challenge. 1998. 10/8/03.
2. Center for Mental Health Services. ÒSeasonal Depression.Ó 12/01. 10/8/03.
3. Cleveland Clinic. ÒUnderstanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Light Therapy.Ó
Department of Patient Education and Health Information. 2003. 10/8/03.
4. Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó 2001.
10/8/03.
5. Girl Power: Health. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó PREVLINE. 10/8/03.
6. Lam, Raymond W. M.D. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó Internet Mental Health.
January 1994. 10/8/03.
7. Lam, R.W. Dr. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder Information Page.Ó UBC Mood
Disorders Centre. 1/03. 10/8/03.
8. Lundberg, George D. MD. ÒDawn's Early Light to Twilight's Last Gleaming.Ó
Journal of the American Medical Association. 11/11/98. 10/8/03.
9. Mayo Clinic Staff. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó 2/5/03. 10/8/03.
10. National Mental Health Association. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó 2003. 10/8/03.
11. Oh, Clare. ÒHealth Salad: Seasonal Depression.Ó The Washington Post. 2000.
10/8/03.
12. Outside In. ÒSAD Information Sheet.Ó 1/31/03. 10/8/03.
13. Primer. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó Mental Health and Addictions. 5/03.
10/8/03.
14. SADAssociation. ÒWhat is SAD?Ó 2001. 10/8/03.
15. US National Library of Medicine. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó 8/4/03. 10/8/03.
16. Watkins, Carol E. MD. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder: Winter Depression.Ó Northern
County Psychiatric Associates. 5/2701. 10/8/03.
17. WSC Counseling Center. ÒSeasonal Affective Disorder.Ó 9/3/02. 10/8/03.