Seasonal Depression

[KittyMom]

Seasonal Depression....

Anyone else suffering?
Know how to work through it?
Know anything about it?


I'm so sad and it hits me with one fatal swoop this time of year, every year.
I just dont know what to do about it or when it will ever go away.
Any help would be very appreciated.

[Jennifer M.]

Here is a link with some information that might help. I've always heard that light therapy helps since a lot of times changing back the clocks and having it get darker sooner causes SAD. Hope this helps...

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[whitequeen96]

Bleh! Yes, KittyMom, I have it too. In fact, I'm going through a bad bout of it myself right now. I'm on anti-depressant meds, but they don't seem to be helping too much. It almost seems ridiculous that I get it, as I live in sunny Southern California, but we've had some gray days lately, and changing the clocks is always bad. Plus, I've had a lot of stress lately, which never helps.

I used to use special full-spectrum lights, but I broke them and couldn't find replacements. I find that the best way for me to fight it is to get outside for some sunlight, fresh air and a little exercise. It also helps if I get good quality sleep, and have a small project (very small - 15 minutes is about right) that I can finish and cross off my list.

Good luck, and hang in there! And just remember, when things look especially blue, your brain is "temporarily out of order" and is not to be trusted.

[LISA1013]

I get the 'blahs' during winter alot, it usually doesnt last very long tho. I always make sure that when I feel that way, I get out and do something. We are in Michigan, with LOTS of nasty cold weather and many dark dreary days. For me, just getting out of the house helps my 'blahs' go away.

Hope you are able to get rid of your season depression <hugs>

[katlnhats]

Take care. The light therapy is supposed to be the best treatment, but sometimes antidepressants are needed, for a little while in the winters. It's hard, you look outside, there's no leaves on the trees, it's dark earlier, lots of grey and ugly days, it's no wonder there's more depression then.

Gentle Hugs,

Kat

[YorkieLover]

This does affect me in the winter. I've found that pushing myself to do chores, especially exercise, helps. Last winter I did tanning beds for a while, and the heat and light seemed to help some. I haven't tried the full-spectrum lights, although I should.

I hope you can find something that works and soon.

[KittyMom]

Thanks everyone,
Its nice to know I'm not alone. I've been feeling a litte better the past few days. Just trying to stay busy. I started therapy last month but so far it hasent had much of an effect. I've been on medication since i was 13. Guess its about time to ask the doc for a slight adjustment. I think exercise is a good idea though. After the past holiday i've been feeling a bit pigish, guilty and slugish. Some exercise would do me some good and keep my mind off all the bad things.

Thanks Again Everyone!

[hmsram]

I get it to...especially bad since last year when mom passed... She loved the holiday times of winter and now shes gone it all just plain out right sucks I hate the jingle bells blah blah blah I did agree to let the tree go up today instead of waiting till the week before chrismas like last year lol....I went shopping to the other day and told my sis...fine I agreed to try this year and not be so depressed but all the stores playing the christmas music made me feel like they was force feeding me a big helping of something I was not ready for...I know that may not make since but when I said it the other day it was in another way which made much more sense but I cant say that here LOL

Now my dh (not dear this time) is grouchy the dogs are fussy and the kids are just trying to lay low with sir grouchy around here... I need to get out of my funk though cause I feel my self getting sick like I just wanna curl up in bed and have the flu or something just so I dont have to deal with no one....A plus side is I have DOD to come to....

I have been on anti-depressants for a good while now and they really seem to work as long as I dont miss a single dose...I will be glad when spring is here....

WEll I hope you all get to feeling alot better soon...and lets keep each other posted on our days...Maybe we can pull through this crappy winter together
(((((hugs)))))

[tlspiegel]

Moving out here did help a lot because of all the sunshine. However - today is a very cool partly sunny day and we are in state weather warnings of a severe cold front coming in for 3 - 4 days with nightime lows of freezing. My body aches, I'm trying to stay warm w/o turning on the furnace, the dogs are lazy and curled up in sleepballs, and I feel seasonally affected.

When I lived in the Midwest and out East, I fought SAD unsuccesfully every fall through early spring. The sun helps a lot to brighten moods and feelings.

With that said (or sad) this time of year with the holidays is notorious for bringing out all sorts of feelings about family and friends, in addition to the pressures of gift-buying and not offending, etc.

Hang in there and try to think good healthy positive thoughts, be grateful for what you do have, give to those less fortunate, and remember... this too shall pass!

[momof3girls]

Thankfully I've never had this. I think living in the south where it is warmer in the winter helps out a lot. We can still go outside all winter long and not freeze to death. Take care and I hope it doesn't get too bad for ya.

[YorkieLover]

Oh, and CHOCOLATE can't hurt ......... therefore, it must help!!!

[june72]

Prayers for you!

[verwon]

Just created this new forum, so I am moving some appropriate posts over here so it isn't completely empty, hope you don't mind and I hope you are feeling better. Andy goes through this around Christmas time every year because he lost his mother very young, and my dad lost his mother on Christmas Eve and his step-mother on Christmas day, so he is always down this time of year as well.

[katlnhats]

Hi,
This is a very hard time of year for many people. God Bless and like Toby said and coincidentally, my Aunt says (and she's never wrong!).. This too shall pass. Look towards spring.

Hugs,
Kat

[pigcavalier]

smile is good for your body and mental heath.