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...
Every year, no matter the circumstances of my life, fall hits me hard. I can't concentrate. I can't sleep well. I have to force myself to get dressed and try to do things.
Every time I have been on prescribed medication I have wicked side effects, sometimes violent, and the withdrawal has been horrendous. My doctor recommends several herbal remodies, and vitamins, and they work to some extent most of the year, but not during the fall.
I feel desperate and hopeless. I don't feel I can go through any more chemical medications, and the herbals are just not up to the task this time of year. I want to do something, but cannot seem to focus or concentrate enough to finish anything, which makes it worse and worse.
If I don't do something soon, by Christmas I will be in a full blown depression that I don't know how to recover from.
I have a 9 year old depending on me, and I feel certain if this gets any worse I will be letting her down.
Every time I have been on prescribed medication I have wicked side effects, sometimes violent, and the withdrawal has been horrendous. My doctor recommends several herbal remodies, and vitamins, and they work to some extent most of the year, but not during the fall.
I feel desperate and hopeless. I don't feel I can go through any more chemical medications, and the herbals are just not up to the task this time of year. I want to do something, but cannot seem to focus or concentrate enough to finish anything, which makes it worse and worse.
If I don't do something soon, by Christmas I will be in a full blown depression that I don't know how to recover from.
I have a 9 year old depending on me, and I feel certain if this gets any worse I will be letting her down.
I know how you feel ~ it just makes you so lifeless.
Have you ever tried a Therapy Lamp?
I got one in March, but overused it and ended up with headaches.
I have just started it again yesterday, cant tell you how it is going to help, but have had many good reports about them when I was on this site last year.
Here is you need any more info :)
Hugs AngelEyezz xxx
The first part of October I begin using my light box twice a day for 20 minutes. You may need to build up to that. As Angel says, it can cause headaches and if you have bipolar disorder it can trigger mania.
I take supplements. Omega 3 5 gms. per day
Multiple B vitamin
Vitamin D
I exercise almost daily. More than in the summer because I am not getting the same activity level.
Make sure you are sleeping with your circadian rhythm. Meaning the hours of sleep your body needs. It can change in the Fall and winter for those of us with SAD.
If you have trouble sleeping, you can take some melatonin before bed. My son uses it in the winter and it helps him a great deal.
Cut back caffeine intake if you do use it.
Plan activities to look forward to. Because our activity is naturally decreased in winter, we need to plan more things.
I plan trips with friends, even short ones
I swin indoors at my local Y
I play basketball with my kids at the Y
I take more trips to warm places if I can afford it
I cook more and bake more
I do more quilt making and blanket making
I paint more watercolor paintings
I sketch more
The idea is to keep your body active and your mind active. It is important for me to make a list of things I want to do each day. If I dont, I go blank and give in to just laying around. I read alot too.
I hope this helps in some way. Hugs