Steveobo, I've already found good information on several threads in this discussion. First and foremost for me was getting a proper diagnosis; here in northern Alberta the days are pitifully short during the winter months. Luckily, we have a couple of excellent clinics in Edmonton that deal primarily with SADS. My own physician sent me there years (decades, even) ago.
What works is highly individual. My own recipe combines light therapy, Vitamin D. B6, and B12, aerobics, proper nutrition, at least an hour a day outside (weather permitting) taking a walk, excercising our dog, x-country skiing, whatever. For years I had been prescribed SSRI's, but the downer each spring coming off them, the weight gain, and other side effects were simply too much. I find that the vitamins work even better, as I know that I was D deficient. Hope this helps, and you'll find many more good suggestions if you poke around the site a bit. Good luck!

wmp, i seem to have similar things...what i do now is play golf, take walks and do take vitamins and vit d and foltx which is folic acid b6 and b12. I am retired so i go to florida for 2 months in the winter to the warmer sunny climate. However from november on i experience these symptoms. I hate it thanks for you inmput steve

wmp could i ask you your symptoms you had during these times thanks steve

Steve, my symptoms were fairly typical; depression, loss of pleasure in doing things I usually enjoyed, become very psychologically distant from my kids (basically, "Mom, you're disappearing again.") breaking off social contact, carb craving, weight gain, tiredness, a feeling of being both disconnected and disoriented, sleeping lots, moodiness, memory impairment. My husband and I don't take a holiday in mid-winter. Ironically, in spite of the SADS, I love winter activities. I love the forest and the lakes in winter, I love to x-country ski, ice skate,snow shoe, ice fish,
(double benefit to ice fishing is that we fish for lake trout, tremendously full of omega-3 and vit. D.)

Stevebo, a friend told me that the dizzyness an lightheadedness is caused by low levels of Vitamin D. The skin creates Vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. This time of year your skin is not exposed to much sun, so you may not make enough Vitamin D. He claims that his doctor has put him on a high dose of Vitamin D supplements and he now feels much better. I can't say that is your problem, but it sounds similar to his symptoms. It is easy to test. Just see your doctor and ask for a blood test to check your Vitamin D level. I have not done that yet, but I am going to soon.

MaybeIcanHelp, there might be something to this. Since increasing my Vit. D I've had none of the disorientation. As well, I seem to be able to focus much better. The main difference in my life has been adding the Vit. D. Last year I didn't take either Wellbutrin or Vit. D, andit was basically a lost winter. Already this year is much much better. Two of my daughters are also afffected by SADS. One can't take anti-depressants (pregant year before last, and nursing this year). On Vit. D and daily walks and feeling much much better. The other daughter is so impressed that she has opted for Vit. D as well. It will be interesting to see how the winter goes. I'm so glad to have found this site, with all the info on Vit. D.

thanks i went out and got some vit d3 but how much do you guys take there are different amounts

My doctor checked my level and while still within normal limits, it was on the low end. He prescribed 50,000 IU's, one pill per week. I've been taking it for a few months now and my level is up 24 points (or whatever measure they use...)

I would never take that amount on my own though.

wow i am only taking 2000 a day that sounds like a lot Thanks for replying