Shining Light on those Wintertime Blues at Naval Hospital Bremerton

Photo By Douglas Stutz | A shining light...Naval Hospital Bremerton can help beneficiaries recognize and cope with SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder - a mood disorder triggered by a change in seasonal weather patterns such as shorter days, gray skies, and rain. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Symptoms can include a persistent low mood, loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities., and bring irritable. NHB recommends to keep the light shining on those Wintertime Blues by being active, getting outside, and eating healthy (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs Officer).  

BREMERTON , WA, UNITED STATES

01.06.2020

Story by Douglas Stutz    

Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton

The winter weather forecast will be snow and sleet for some, yet sorrow and sadness for others.

Got them wintertime blues? You’re not alone.

Despite what seems like continual overcast skies, incessant rainfall and nonexistent sun, Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) attests there are ways to recognize and cope with the dark days of winter and not be too SAD.

“Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD – is a mood disorder triggered by a change in seasonal weather patterns such as shorter days, gray skies, and rain,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nathan R. Hydes, NHB Board Certified Clinical Psychologist.

December 22 was the Winter Solstice, and the shortest day for 2019. Also the longest night. SAD is associated with the Winter Solstice, because the condition does tend to manifest itself during late fall and early winter when less natural sunlight is available.

“SAD affects millions of Americans every year and is believed to be more common in parts of the country where the sunshine is less prevalent, such as here. SAD symptoms can include a down mood, loss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable, change in appetite and in sleep patterns and fatigue and loss of energy. In some cases, thoughts of suicide,” explained Hydes, who is also embedded as the assigned psychologist of Marine Corps Security Force Battalion and Submarine Group Nine Sailors working out of Branch Health Clinic Bangor.

While there are no compiled statistics on actually how many service members deal with SAD, Hydes notes that mental health complaints in the military are similar to mental health numbers seen in the civilian sector.

“About seven percent of people experience a depressive episode every year, with women 1.5 to three times more likely to experience a depressive episode. Applying that number to our region, there are several hundred service members assigned in the area who will likely experience a depressive episode in 2020,” stated Hydes.

There is a difference to someone feeling glum due to their team losing a big game and being affected by SAD.

“Big difference. Having ups and downs in mood is perfectly normal, especially after experiencing a loss like Navy losing to Army. This is very different from what we see in SAD.

Situational stressors can result in down moods, but these moods are typically shorter and much less severe than what we see in SAD,” said Hydes.

“A dip in mood is common with rainy days and winter months and is not usually a concern,” continued Hydes. “However, when changes in thought and/or behavior occurs, they should seek help. We should look for signs of SAD in our friends and shipmates. Awareness is very important.”

Some of the warning signs include low energy, fatigue, tiredness, low mood, decrease in activity, and difficulty concentrating. Other possible indicators of the onset of the winter blues are feeling apathy, being sad nearly every day, pessimistic attitude, excessive sleep and/or poor sleep, irritability, changes in appetite, and change in weight.

There are risk factors to consider.

“Risk factors for depression include a history of mental health issues; a family history of depression; a sudden loss such as a divorce or breakup; drug and alcohol abuse; increased stress; and social isolation,” Hydes said.

According to Hydes, SAD or not, symptoms of depression should be addressed when they result in behavior or a change in thinking, specifically if centered on thoughts of self-harm.

“When it comes to behavior, we look for any changes. This can include things such as a normally social person choosing to isolate him/herself, or a person who usually sleeps seven or eight hours a night is now staying in bed 12 hours a day, or a person with normal eating habits is now not eating. We also assess changes in thought patterns. This can include a person with a healthy self-esteem who now suddenly believes he/she is worthless or unloved. The appearance of suicidal thought(s) is of course the most serious symptom and is a clear indicator that immediate intervention is needed,” stressed Hydes.

Beneficiaries can contact their Family Medicine provider, Mental Health, Military Onesource, and Pastoral Care departments for consult assistance.

Alcohol is also a contributing factor in how some attempt to handle being SAD…or not.

“Alcohol affects people’s depression in different ways, but its’ impact is never good. The best case scenario is that alcohol masks some underlying problem and prevents a person from getting necessary help. Worst case scenario is that the alcohol significantly increases the chance that a person will engage in self-injurious or suicidal behavior,” Hydes said.

All is not doom and gloom, says Hydes. There are ample opportunities available for everyone to shine their own light and beat the wintertime blues.

“Stay physically active and exercise. Get outside even if the weather is crummy. Enjoy the Pacific Northwest. You can’t wait for a sunny day,” recommends Hydes.

For Lt. Justin Hoblet, NHB Physical Therapist, SAD became a reality after spending the last 16 years living in either Florida, Texas or California before being assigned to his new command.

“I was definitely impacted by the inability to get out in nature as much as I was able in the more sunshine friendly climates. When I moved here the lack of sunshine was a shock to my system,” Hoblet related.

Both Hoblet and Hydes suggest that another option for someone impacted by lack of natural sunlight and feeling SAD is to invest in light therapy with a light box.

“A light box is an over-the-counter product that generates a soft light. You sit in front of the light for about 30 minutes a day and this can help alleviate the symptoms of SAD,” Hydes said.

“I did some searching and discovered SAD and that light therapy - with a brightness level of 10,000 lux - has been shown to be an effective non pharmacological means to combat SAD. Light therapy has been well studied and has shown to be effective when used early in the morning as it helps maintain a healthy circadian rhythm which is often delayed in those with SAD. If one isn't sleeping well then your body isn't healing itself and one tends to be in a less than optimal mood,” added Hoblet.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Symptoms can include:
A persistent low mood.
A loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities.
Irritability.
Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness.
Feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day.
Sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning.
Shining Light on those Wintertime Blues
Keep active.
Get outside.
Keep warm.
Eat healthily.
See the light. .
Take up a new hobby.
See friends and family.
Talk it through.

• Date Taken: 01.06.2020
• Date Posted: 01.07.2020 10:47
• Story ID: 358335
• Location: BREMERTON , WA, US