We’ve heard (lots) about the link between low sunlight and depression, (a recent study found that disruptions to the Circadian-Rhythms (bad sleeps) raises your risk for major depression AND bipolar).
Well, now you might be able to blame the clouds for some of your problems with another affective issue — obsessive compulsive disorder.
A new study from Binghamton University found that OCD prevalence was lower in sunnier spots than cloudy spots, and as in depression, the link seems to have something to do with a lack of morning light, the fact people with OCD are bad sleepers, and our Circadian clock.
This misalignment is more prevalent at higher latitudes — areas where there is reduced exposure to sunlight — which places people living in these locations at an increased risk for the development and worsening of OCD symptoms.
These areas subsequently exhibit higher lifetime prevalence rates of the disorder than areas at lower latitudes.
However, remember, we do know that there’s a structural component to OCD within our brains (abnormalities of cortico-striato-thalamic circuits, for one) that disposes us towards the disorder, and I’d wonder how this structural component is affected by lower sunlight.
Maybe it just makes things worse, and awakens the beast, and yes, OCD is a horrid beast.
So that’s OCD.
As for depression.
Here’s one reason it’s worse in the clouds.
“One Australian study that measured levels of brain chemicals flowing directly out of the brain found that people had higher serotonin levels on bright sunny days than on cloudy ones.”
The really interesting part?
In the study, it didn’t matter whether it was a warm, sunny day or a cold one. The key variable was sun; not warmth.
So what can you do, besides move?
Maybe a light therapy box, which you can pick up just about anywhere (here’s the Mayo Clinic on them). And here’s a nice resource reviewing the best boxes.
Or you could just listen to Van Halen, covering Happy Trails: “Who cares about the clouds when we’re together.”
(Van Halen often ended concerts with this cover of Dale Evans’ classic song).
Painting: John Constable.
