Hi,

I have BP but I don't know what SAD is, sorry. Perhaps you can explain that to me. Right now, I am in a depression phase of and at a new doctor who is treating me slowly with meds, one by one to see what works and I think it is a good idea, My last doctor just handed out meds like sweets and all of them were totally addictive.

Anyway, totally of the subject. I don't have many friends because I don't ever make any effort to keep up the relationship. So my only friends are my immediate family too and maybe two friends. The only ones that know about my BP are my two friends, my Husband and my Mum.

Now my husband works night shifts at a bar and comes home at 12am and I work normal hours and I come home at 5pm. I come home to an empty house, except from my dog who is like my child. But I get sooooo depressed being alone. It is busy season at work for my husband so he has to work 9 night shifts in a row and I get to see him about 1 hour in the morning before I go to work.

He is my rock and in this depression, I often curl up on him and just cry. Now I don't have him and I don't have many friends that I can see every night whilst he is working. My Mum lives overseas and we WhatsApp call each other.

So I understand what you are going through. I am depressed and people are a good distraction and support and I feel very needy right now. It is unhealthy how clingy I feel I am to my husband.

But I don't think that needing people around you whilst you are going through something hard or during bad times is a bad thing or makes makes you clingy or needy. Those that understand will not feel that way about us, All we actually want is a distraction from our feelings and support. Don't interact with those that think you are clingy as they don't understand. But it is alright to tell those that do understand your illness that you need their support all the time and you need them to be around for you.

I did that to my Mum. I never called her because I was worried she didn't understand my illness but then I called her and explained everything and what it was about and I said she has to accept it because I have to accept that I have it. I told her to read up about it. But I also told her that right now, I need support and that if I call her, she can't be too busy to speak to me.

I have tried to make plans with the friends I have that understand because I also don't want to be alone. If they truly understand then they won't see you as clingy and should be willing to support you in this time.

Jeez I am just rambling on, but I hope you understand what I'm saying. I know how you feel.

SAD is Seasonal Affective Disorder, some people experience increased Depression when there is less Sunshine and lack of Vitamin D during the shorter days of Fall & Winter. They do make Depression/Mood lights to help with this, a Pdoc can tell you where you can get one.

Big hug Lazarus...… I use a SAD light and I think it does help..... This time of year effects me as well and my pdoc believes in the science behind SAD lamps.....xo

Thanks, guys! I actually have a SAD lamp and use it year round. It isn’t helpful this year, though. I went to my doctor yesterday and he said we may be on the wrong track with me taking Risperidone, so he instead prescribed me a new drug called Invega. Basically what Invega is is Risperidone already broken down into its constituent parts so it can bipass a lot of side effects and work better. Plus, it’s got a long half-life and only needs to be taken once a day. So, guess all I can do now is be optimistic. You guys are great. :)

Hiya! I get the clingy thing. I attract him to people also which I think is bad but my therapist says is good. I too only have my immediate family. I require hugs multiple times a day, reassurances if love. On moms days off she lets me sleep in late because when I wake up early I annoy her with my constant chatter when she wants silence.

But you’re not alone with the clinginess

When I get depressed like that I become very clingy. I also have SAD and I’ve been using my light box and essential oils to keep my mild depression I have right now to moving to moderate or severe. I hope you feel better soon.