MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The winter blues could be more than just a little cabin fever

"My step mom used to have it and we dealt with it growing up in our childhood," said Alejandro Gardiner, a marketing student at Lansing Community College.

Alejandro Gardiner's stepmom moved to Michigan from Guadalajara, Mexico and began experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.

"As she got diagnosed with it, she started having panic attacks and massive depression," said Alejandro.

Alejandro describes what it was like growing up and watching the depression slowly get worse

"Terrifying. There was an instance where she had a a pretty bad panic attack and felt like she was dying and it was pretty scary to see as a kid," said Alejandro.

Having Seasonal Affective Disorder means having Major Depressive Disorder, with a seasonal cycle.

"They have a space of time when they are experiencing the depression either during the winter or the summer," said therapist, Michael Whitehead.

Michael Whitehead said the theory behind the disorder occurs in the winter when there is less sunlight exposure that can alter sleep patterns or suppress melatonin and serotonin.

"We treat just like typical depression but we add on the extra treatments of like a light box or if it gets too severe we also add medication if they're not currently on it," said Whitehead.

Despite popular belief, Seasonal Affective Disorder can be just as severe as any depression and requires treatment.

"Eventually it came back, a lot of anxiety, a lot of panic," said Alejandro.

Michael said it is important to check yourself by monitoring mood changes or losing interest in some of your favorite things for longer than 2 months.