Dear Angel,

My roommate is almost always grumpy or stressing out over the smallest things. She wasn’t like this when we started school last fall. We had a lot of fun hiking in the bluffs, going out, and hanging out with friends. Now she won’t do much of anything. She’s always complaining that she doesn’t feel well and is tired.

I told her she should go get checked out, that maybe she has a bad flu or something. I don’t want to catch it if she does. She got really mad at me and told me I should quit bugging her. She says she doesn’t have much resistance and this happens every winter. She says her mom has the same thing and once the weather warms up she’ll be fine.

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I have a lot of classes this semester and don’t want to get sick, what can I do to protect myself?

-Sick and Tired of Sick and Tired


Dear Sick and Tired,

While it is possible that your roommate is less resistant to the “bugs of winter,” the symptoms you mentioned may well be related to a chemical imbalance rather than a virus or bacteria. I suggest this because of the comment she made regarding feeling better as the weather warms up and the fact that her mom has the same problem. There are some people who experience a seasonal depression referred to as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). While the exact cause of this is not fully understood, it is suspected that a decrease in sunlight impacts certain chemicals (melatonin and serotonin) that impact sleep and wake cycles. Often, this condition can be found in members of the same family. Unlike an occasional “down day” that anyone can experience, the symptoms usually appear in the later fall and go away as spring and longer daylight returns.

In spite of the fact that the symptoms may well go away on their own, it is important to understand that this should not be ignored since these symptoms can be serious. Additionally, there are multiple approaches to treatment, including light therapy, medication and counseling which can ease the symptoms and allow your roommate to enjoy every day, not just the spring and summer.

My suggestion for you is to take care of yourself – get adequate rest, exercise, eat healthy and wash your hands frequently. You might also consider meeting with someone in counseling (you can make an appointment by calling ext. 1773) if you are feeling the pressure of your roommate’s mood or are concerned about her emotional state.

Sincerely,
Angel

Questions can be directed to Angel via email at aweisbro@smumn.edu
***This is not a substitution for medical evaluation and care