I have had it for the last 5 years. But only 2 years ago I realized what it was. I then got my lamp, and that helps a ton! This year, I have told my friends about it, and they promised to keep me from being home alone all the time. It does get annoying, so I allow myself a few days without any socializing, but it is good otherwise. The fatigue has been getting better, I am actually able to wake up early enough to do my light before school now, instead of doing it at 3 pm when I get home. I feel like that has helped a lot as well. I exercise and try to eat healthy (but of course I indulge sometimes! But I think that is okay, just enough to make you happy rather than depressed that you ate too much). I am hoping this year will be better. Send me a message if you ever want to talk =)

Thanks for replying. I am unfamiliar with light therapy. How does it work and how does it help? I just heard the weather forecast for tomorrow night, possible light snow or rain and my mood changed. Today was a good day for me because it was warm and sunny. Sometimes I can be around a lot of people but still feel alone. I am so emotional that sometimes I start to cry for no good reason. I don't like the emotional roller coaster. Do you work or are you a student?

A light therapy lamp works (in how I understand it) is there so that you can sit with it in the morning (or afternoon, but not evening) for 15-60 minutes. I usually watch a tv show during it, because you shouldn't directly look at it. It helps because you are getting more light in your eyes, and I think that causes some reactions in your body and produce good things. I am not at all scientific, so you would be better off searching it. But it helps me with my fatigue and my joint pains ( i am only 21, yet have joint pains!). I find that using it in the morning has the best results, I am not tired all day then.
I am currently a student in Denmark, where it rains so much and even if it doesn't rain, it is gloomy. I understand the emotional rollercoaster. I would say that I am on that as well right now, but it isn't as bad as it used to be.

Cool. Do you think that your joint pains come from SAD or something else? I guess I get worse as winter progresses. Less sun, colder days. The holidays are my least favorite. Both of my parents are deceased, their birthdays were in November (dad) and December (mom) and they passed away in January (dad) and February (mom). Both my birthday and my oldest brother's birthday is in January and my youngest brother's b-day is in February. We used to celebrate birthdays and holidays together. It's hard now, even though I have kids of my own. It's just not the same anymore. Right now, I am ok too, but I know that once we are in the full blown winter, little by little, I unravel.

PollyParrot, I related to everything you've said in this thread. I find the holidays horrendous year after year, but I bite my tongue and try (if not too depressed) to "fake it." I hate Thanksgiving even more than Christmas. I even stay in on New Years Eve. When I wasn't disabled (leg and back) I used to try to work all the hours I could to pick up the extra money.

Anyway, I would to talk to you about our common problem. I will send you a request.

heatherhurts

I only joined this site recently as every year its the same the .I live in the UK and suffer horribly with the dreary dark winters. I sleep poorly my mood /thoughts fluctuate depending on my sleep. The worst thing is the crippling anxiety that has become worst over the years. I have two children and a wife,She has been supportive , Its has been 23years of hell. I exercise, go to the sauna and steam take all sorts of pills (herbal). They help and you can try a herb shop . I try Kava Valerian Hops for the anxiety. I cannot hold down a job even though am well qualified as during the winters i feel awful. Its become unbearable in the winters and the only real solution is to move country.Another cycle of stress but either I suffer forever or enjoy a normal life.