Long winter’s night

I don’t know what has come over my daughter. Over the summer, she seemed very happy, going out with her friends to the park, riding her bike everywhere; she was so full of life I had trouble getting her to bed at night. Now, all she wants to do is sleep. She has no energy or interest in doing anything beyond a minimum amount of school work. When she stopped texting with her friends, I started to really worry. I know teenagers are moody, but I think something else is going on.

The teenage years are a perfect storm of hormones and independence. It’s true that many parents don’t recognize their once-perfect child in their now out-of-control teen, but I don’t think that is what’s going on with your daughter. With her change of behavior pivoting at the beginning of the school year, and with the attendant sleepiness, lack of interest, and isolation, I believe your daughter may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that occurs around the same time — and season — each year. Some people experience what is called summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, but the majority experience fall-onset. The fall season ushers in many things: chillier weather, changing leaves, a new school calendar, but it also means fewer daylight hours and less sunshine. Exposure to the sun helps the body produce a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Less sunlight often impacts serotonin levels, and fatigue and depression may ensue. Teens with a family history of depression may be more susceptible.

Some teens may experience the disorder with minor symptoms, such as increased irritability or just feeling a little out of sorts, but others experience more extreme symptoms, such as consistent fatigue, inability to concentrate, or problems with relationships. Regardless of the severity of symptoms, if it is negatively impacting your teen’s life, I recommend that you speak with her doctor.

Treatments vary, and different techniques may be tried until your daughter finds relief. However, it is recommended that all people with seasonal affective disorder try to get outside during the day as often as possible; try to eat a balanced, healthy diet; and get at least an hour of exercise a day.

A popular treatment is light therapy. Light therapy entails sitting a few feet away from a special bright light, which is about 20 times brighter than standard room lighting. Each sitting session slowly increases in time until the depressive symptoms begin to dissipate. For some, the change comes within a few days; for others, it might take longer, or sessions may need to be increased in frequency. For especially unyielding cases, light therapy may be fortified with anti-depressants. Once the mood is stabilized, the therapy continues until the season naturally brings more hours of sunlight.

One of the key characteristics of seasonal affective disorder is its appearance each fall — but that also means that with each spring, it dissipates. Talk to your daughter; let her know you are there for her. And have her evaluated for seasonal affective disorder. It may recur each year, but at least she will have the tools to treat it, and your love to support her as she does so.

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Challenge Camp

<p>Challenge Camp is an ACA accredited day camp focused on STEM and Arts enrichment for creative children ages 4-15 at a new location, Iona University. The Challenge Camp advantage is that parents and campers customize a program based on the child’s interests, and students follow their courses for an entire session.</p> <p>Challenge offers over 100 STEM and Arts project based electives to engage and inspire campers. Courses range from 3D Printing, App Development, Art, Chess, Coding, Cooking, Drones, Dungeons & Dragons, Escape Room, E-Sports, Filmmaking, Game Design, Lego, Magic, Makerspace, Minecraft, Photography, Podcasting, Robotics, Rocketry, Theater, VR and more! The Discover, Imagine & Create program is for students entering Kindergarten in fall. Active sports options including Basketball, Dance, Fencing, Ninja Warrior, Pickleball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee and an on-site Swim Program allow campers to challenge their minds and bodies. A Hot lunch and snack are included. Transportation and early drop-off/extended day options are available.</p> <p>The program is unique as there are multiple disciplinary options your child can experience throughout the day from STEM, Art, Theater, Music, Science, Technology, Sports and Swimming. To learn more about this innovative enrichment program visit: <a href="http://www.challengecamps.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.challengecamps.com&source=gmail&ust=1704993244563000&usg=AOvVaw3LRLLIWiKoUBlHE35POFyK">http://www.<wbr />challengecamps.com</a></p>

Quinipet Camp & Retreat Center

<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Established by the United Methodist Church in 1947, Quinipet is built upon the rocks of Faith, Courage, Love, Humility and Honesty; creating a foundation that welcomes campers from all walks of life, faiths, and backgrounds.</span></span></strong><br /><br style="color: #7b8c89; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff;" /><strong><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #3f3f3f;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">​</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #ffffff;">Whether you come for one week or all summer long, you will make new friends, learn and grow, laugh a LOT, and enjoy the beautiful natural environment of Shelter Island. </span><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quinipet has all the fun of a traditional Christian summer camp - surrounded by water!</span></span></strong></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></strong></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Week-Long Sessions begin the week of July 4, 2021:</span></span></strong></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <ul> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 18px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day Camp (ages 5-15) Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm</span></span></strong></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Community Sailing (ages 9-15) Monday-Friday, 9-12 or 1-4</strong></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Traditional Overnight Camp (ages 7-17) Sunday Afternoon - Saturday Morning</strong></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Sailing Overnight Camp (ages 9-17) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sunday Afternoon - Saturday Morning</span></strong></li> </ul> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Daily Day Camp transportation options from the north (Greenport) & south (North Haven/Sag Harbor) forks! </strong></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>In-person Open Houses this April and May!</strong></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>For Dates & Rates and Online Registration visit us at Quinipet.org</strong></div>

A-Game Sports

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