Seasonal Affective Disorder Support Group
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as S.A.D., winter depression or the winter blues is an affective, or mood, disorder. Most SAD sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer. The condition in the summer is often referred to as Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal mood...
I have all the symptoms again this fall since my late teens.. For those who may not know, SAD is caused by the reduced amount of daylight each day and also lack of sunshine.
I have flu like symptoms i.e. nausea, stomach cramps, lightheaded. In the morning it is a big task to make breakfast. My body does not want to exercise. Depression is certainly part of it.
I use light therapy, dawn simulation, keep regular hours (morning and night). I spend 1 hour a day outside walking my dog Max.
These symptoms last 5 to 6 months in Canada.
I would like to hear from those who have SAD or know about SAD. Sometime when we share with others on a common issue we learn from each other.
Do you find yourself really tired and avoiding activity?
I have flu like symptoms i.e. nausea, stomach cramps, lightheaded. In the morning it is a big task to make breakfast. My body does not want to exercise. Depression is certainly part of it.
I use light therapy, dawn simulation, keep regular hours (morning and night). I spend 1 hour a day outside walking my dog Max.
These symptoms last 5 to 6 months in Canada.
I would like to hear from those who have SAD or know about SAD. Sometime when we share with others on a common issue we learn from each other.
Do you find yourself really tired and avoiding activity?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
Prior to treatment, I was depressed most of the time -- especially in winter -- and "normal" or slightly "better" than normal the rest of the time.
Early this year, I went to a seminar on bipolar disorder. The lecturer said that SAD is increasingly recognized as a form of seasonal bipolar disorder.
Have any of you tried a mood stabilizer as part of your SAD treatment?