Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

7,120 Members
126,454 Posts
4 Online
Mental Health
/ Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Sunshine addiction?

deleted_user
deleted_user
Does anyone else feel that lack of sun effects your mood? I can't stand long periods of overcast weather. And I'm from colorado, I can deal with bad weather. Foot of snow, who cares? that just makes the riding conditions better. But I need to see some sun. But this last week it has been overcast every day, no snow, just cloudy. That almost never happens here, and I think it's really effecting my mood.
starfish
starfish
me, too. They even make sun lamps now for people with Seasonal Affective Disoder (appropriately named, SAD) If you get more depressed during the winter months, that could be the culprit.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Starfish is correct SAD is a disorder that people get. Try buying a sun lamp and see if it makes you feel better
deleted_user
deleted_user
The funny thing is that colorado is actually one of the sunniest states. We have sun 300+ days of the year. And I think that might be why this week of clouds is bothering me so much.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I love the sun, we here in Oz are now experiencing summer, I don't like it when it gets too hot. I belive it does effect you, lack of sunshine = lack of vitamin D :))
deleted_user
deleted_user
I LOVE the sunshine, It without doubt is easier to fall out of bed with, to motivate yrself, and to improve the view..we dont get enough of it in UK! I wanna move to Oz, my next fav place..they got lots o sunshire, n cute little (N HUGE)kangeroos..
deleted_user
deleted_user
U sffer greatly with SAD. Several years ago I purchased, what is called a Balanced Spectrum light box..

It changed my life. I use it all year round. It is nothing unusual here for us to go days without sunshine and that is all it takes to affect my mood negatively.

Should have taken my pdoc's advice years ago. (I hate advice)
beckyp
beckyp
You need the sun and it gives us vitamin D which we need too.I think they say 15 mins in the sun is good. I used to live in CO and now MN. The sun doesn't shine here very often, it's always overcast. I miss the blue skies and sunshine of CO,
deleted_user
deleted_user
I find that too many overcast OR sunny days gets me agitated. It gets to a point where I NEED a CHANGE whatever that change may be.

It really depends on my mood, if I'm kinda low-key I hate really sunny days but I can't take alot of cloudy/rainy days in a row either (say a week or more) and too many sunny days really agitate me unless I'm in a high-energy phase.

I guess it's good that I live in New England!! :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh yes that is a proven science. Google some pictures of sunshine and stare at them on your computer;)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes I am very dependend on the sun as a alturnitive mediciane to help with my depression ,I have heard that getting it throurgh a glass window decresses it affectiveness.I wonder why?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am so sick of the sun I could puke. Today was supposed to be pouring rain, but now already they say there will be a lull.

Everyday my life if filled with sun, day in and day out. The whole winter here in the desert of Southern Calif., is about two weeks of rain. Then it is back to sun.

I wonder if they make an overcast cloudy lamp?
deleted_user
deleted_user
FOr sure it does. I think it's even scientifically proven. I have to have the sun out. Get down when not sun for days. I even tried tanning bed before for this, it worked too!
deleted_user
deleted_user
It sucks here in the North East as well another day of oppressive clouds.

If they were soft and billowy it would not be bad but they are low and dark.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I LOVE the sunshine too.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I got a light box years ago which helped me get through the winters in New England. It is not near as good as the real thing but definately helps.

Eventually, I had to move to a sunny state where winters are much easier on my mental health.
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • Maui1992

    Side effects from psych meds u tolerate

    Posted by: Maui1992
    Last Reply: Maui1992
    10
    What side effects from psych meds do you live with? We have to try several medications and many do not work out because of side effects. But, eventually, we have to choose a medication to stay on, but this medication may still have some side effects that continue. What side effects did you choose to accept and stay on the medication because the benefits outweighed the negatives?For me, while I'm...
  • OlderCPer

    Breathing much easier today....

    Posted by: OlderCPer
    Last Reply: OlderCPer
    11
    I know we don't do Political on this Board...But damn it feels good to know we have a Sane Man in the Presidency and an intelligent Woman in the Vice Presidency, ready to uphold America's Democracy and actually "Lead", not turn it into a Dictatorship or worry about who's in control of the codes that command our Nuclear Missiles!  I personally breathed a very, very big sigh of relief today and am...