Reducing spring fever

What is wrong with you?

You're moody. You can't concentrate. You want to just pick up and leave -- go fishing, take a long walk, take a nap under a tree.

Actually, you don't know what you want to do. You just know you don't want to be where you are now.

It's spring fever.

Spring fever isn't just an old wives' tale or an excuse to call in sick and take the day off. Spring fever has a medical basis, occurring when the body's hormones respond to increased light. Some medical experts say a change in air pressure aggravates it. It is a physical response to physical stimuli.

Barb McKeon, a counselor with Southeast Missouri Hospital, says more suicides are attempted in spring than in any other season, including the stressful Christmas holidays. She calls it "cabin fever," and agrees that a shift in light and air pressure might have something to do with it. People have been cooped up inside during dark winter days, and all that pent-up energy is building up to a spring storm.

"I see more bickering, biting on each other, not as many smiles on faces," McKeon said. "People are going home so tired and their work load is not that much heavier than the rest of the year."

According to About.com, changes in climate can bring changes of air pressure that make a person feel out of sorts for no good reason.

It is during spring when children often have a growth spurt, a disorganizing process for the child that creates feelings of anger, tears for no reason, and a generally funky mood.

When most people think of spring, they think of flowers, a renewal of trees, warm breezes, kittens and puppies -- a certain gentleness. But there's nothing gentle about spring, which may be why the season brings about so many changes in mood and emotion.

Severe weather most often happens in spring, when warm air invades from lower latitudes while cold air is still coming in from polar regions. Flooding is more common in spring. Spring also brings with it raging tornados, hail and thunderstorms.

It seems also that spring can't make up its mind. Temperatures can soar into summer heights, but some of the worst blizzards have occurred in spring, according to Wikipedia.com. Hurricane season begins in the spring.

According to Angela Smyth, author of the book "SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder," between 70 and 90 percent of people with SAD experience a surge of mental and physical energy in the spring. Confidence returns, along with a loss of appetite, sleep loss and increase in sexual appetite. Spring fever, according to Smyth, can turn into a hypomania characterized by increased energy, enthusiasm and confidence, which can lead to impatience, irritability and irrational behavior.

In past generations, rural women dosed their families with sassafras tea or sulfur and molasses for spring fever, and encouraged the children to go outside and play. A good dose of sunshine was good for spring fever.

McKeon agrees. Although most people don't go outside as much as they once did, some have found that the light from a tanning booth is good for what ails them.

"I think there is some truth to it," she said. "It releases endorphins."

Sassafras, sulfur and molasses may be a little extreme today and tanning booths should be used with caution, but McKeon said there are things modern people can do to combat spring fever until their bodies adjust and life becomes normal again. The best thing, she said, is exercise.

"People may not have the energy to do it, but when they make themselves do it they feel it was a big help for them," she said. "They push themselves to get out and go to the mall and walk out there."

Get out of the rut, she says, do something different.

"Buy McDonald's and have a picnic on the living room floor," she said. "Take a trip to St. Louis for the day. I think sometimes when we make a little extra effort it really does help. Do things with your family and friends. Have a potluck dinner."

Laughter also is good medicine. McKeon says she looks for jokes to share with her colleagues and patients.

"Laughter is a picker-upper," she said. "It's something that really does help."

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160