The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, March 01, 2000, Page A9, Image 9
_EtCetera_
Seasonal Affective Disorder prevalent in college
by Ricky DeLeon
Staff Writer
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of
depression that occurs during the winter months and
fades as the winter does. Symptoms of this disor
der include a loss of energy, decreased activity, sad
ness, and excessive eating and sleeping.
Many people, college students included, may ex
perience these symptoms during the winter
months as a result of increased stress during the hol
idays. Sources of stress might be returning to pre
college lifestyles, returning to a troubling family at
mosphere, or leaving friends for a period.
But, it is important not to confuse SAD with the
“holiday blues.” Everyone will experience periods
of sadness from time to time, but SAD is a severe
disorder that should be diagnosed and treated as soon
as possible.
Since being uncovered in 1984, a controversy
‘Seasonal Affective Disorder is,
in fact, a disorder, and it must
be treated quickly, just like other
disorders.’
Dr. Roger Bowersock
Director of the Counseling and Human
Development Center
remains whether it is a disorder. The Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edi
tion) (DSM-IV) classifies SAD as a specifier for bipo
lar depression,
Dr. Roger Bowersock, Director and Chief Psy
chologist for the Counseling and Human Develop
ment Center, feels differently.
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is, in fact, a disor
der, and it must be treated quickly, just like other
disorders,” Bowersock said.
Treatment of SAD in
cludes psychopharmaceu
tical drugs such as Prozac, but there are other means,
as well.
“The theory is that SAD is based on Circadian
Biological Rhythms,” Bowersock said. “A delay in
the sleep/wake cycle will cause a lapse in your bio
rhythms.”
Light reception is an important factor for keep
ing biorhythms normal.
“Phototherapy focuses on light intensity cen
tered on a full spectrum,” Bowersock said . “The
melatonin in the skin reacts to the light therapy
and corrects the cycles.”
Of all case studies, 83 percent were female pa
tients, with an exceptionally high number of chil
dren also recorded. SAD appears to increase with
latitude in the United States. There is a significant
ly higher percentage of Americans diagnosed in North
ern states such as New York and Massachusetts as
opposed to the South Carolina or even Florida, which
has the lowest percent of SAD patients.
Dr. Bowersock added, “It makes sense, then, to
go South for the winter.”
!. ATTENTION
UNDERGRADUATE
AND GRADUATE
STUDENTS
WORLDWIDE
:
ENTER.COM
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PURSUE JOB
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CampusCareerCenter.com
The world's largest campus job fair
Carolina Student Judicial Council
is accepting applications for new members.
Applications are available in the
Student Government Office,
Office of Student Judicial Programs,
and the University Housing Office.
=—Applications are due March 3
to the Student Government Office.
CSJC consists of graduate and undergraduate students whose purpose
is to uphold the ideals of the Carolina Creed by hearing and deciding
outcomes for students alleged with violations of the Student
Code of Conduct.
Gambling
from page A8
“There’s no way of enforcing it,”
said Scott, D-Va. “AH you’ve passed
essentially is a resolution saying you
don’t like the idea.”
He said the only way to stop In
ternet gambling is to target the play
ers, which the bill avoids.
The U.S. Department of Justice
also has objected to Kyi’s bill on
grounds that portions would be in
consistent with federal gambling laws.
The greatest objection, however,
comes from the players.
Michele Jansen, a 33-year*old reg
istered nurse who gambles online every
week, said the government shouldn’t
legislate what people do on their home
computers.
Anyway, she added, no amount of
legislation will stop cybergambling.
“The casinos will find a way
around it,” she said, “because you’re
talking big money.”
March 31,2000 (Friday) Intramural Fields D &
E (where the sand volleyball courts are located)
Bands Playing: Simple as That, Stones Throw,
King Konga, Gran Torino (Headliner)
T-shirt sales and Volleyball sign-ups start March
2, 2000 on Greene Street. Sales begin March
2, 2000 and continue every Tues-Thurs till
March 30. Cost is $7 (earlybird special), $10
(day of event)
Teams that sign up for volleyball will be
competing for sponsored freestuff.
f >Get turned on.
event hotline: 777-7131
Your Student ID now
buys more at...
Clothing
for all
Occasions.
Affordable ^
your dorm
or apartment.
Household
items and
much more.
Bring your valid student ID
to Goodwill and receive
10% off your ENTIRE purchase!
7523 Garners Ferry
(Wal-Mart
Shopping Center)
783-2696
555 St. Andrews Rd.
(west of 1-26 by
Food Lion )
216-9000
754 W. Main St.
Lexington
(K-mart Shopping Center)
356-8680