Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
SAD - Seasonal affective disorder - A place to share ideas and tips to get thru it...
#1
Sad 
Hi my friends.

I thought I would start a thread on S.A.D.(Seasonal Affective Dissorder->Wikipedia Web-Link for S.A.D.<-).

I decided to make this thread for a few reasons, partly because it's that time when the clocks go back again this weekend and the days are going to feel even shorter than they do so already(They go back in the UK at least, I'm not sure about other countrys? eitherway the days are getting shorter)...But I'm mainly making this because I've found myself stuck in this sh!tty low-mood, at times in a really deep-depression for these last few weeks or so, and just can't seem to shake it off or break myself out of it, not for the life of me...and I thought maybe by writing stuff down about it might just help myself to put certain things into a different perspective and have a better understanding.

If nothing else, at least starting this thread will give other members a specific place to share thier own experiences of SAD, so others may see that they are not alone in suffering with this condition, by seeing how it can also effect other people in their day-to-day routines at work or at home, and how they are affected by it or the emptyiness, the depression, the interupted sleep patterns and everything else that comes with having SAD or low mood at this time of the year...even if it's just to have a place to "Vent" out feelings that make no sense and leave you feeling empty or wondering why every year around September or October...

Myself, I try to keep a tight hold of my personal faith, especially when I'm in them really dark places.  Also, I take a LOT more vitamins at this time of year and I think that helps, so I've read anyway(Do you take extra vitamins? Anything in particular that you feel helps you with SAD? Again, please share it...).  Also I do "try" to do some of the more "obvious" things, like exercising or push myself to get outside the house.(I say "try", as I've not been so successful lately with the last 2 of these, but when I do have success I find they can sometimes help me overcombe a great deal).

Also, I have tried the "light boxes" that are specifically made for the treatment of SAD, they give out very bright light, at certain levels of color and high levels of UV, as a lack of sunlight is thought to be a major factor in triggering SAD - though not always the case for all people, for me personally I find it's more of the short dark-dank days of winter that affect my mood(also I have underlying issues with depression).  Here in the UK we can borrow light boxes from our local hospital(at least they used to, ask your GP), I tried one some years ago now, but it did nothing for me at all.  With that said, some people have great success with them and are certainly worth a try, I think you can buy them on @maz0n or eb@y.

SAD, is not something new for me - I've had it since my teens, it's the same feeling at the same time every year to the point I genuinely dread it when September and October is looming upon us.

I haven't felt able or upto posting hardly much of anything on here lately(maybe to some peoples delight, lol), and I don't do the face-boook thing or any stuff like that anyway - Ioplist is genuinely the closest I ever get to any kind of social media these days!  Lately due to the SAD, I've had a few periods where I don't even have the mental or physical energy to pick up my laptop to go browsing on the internet or even watch a movie, and it really sucks feeling so friggin low nearly everyday - I dread having to go out of the house, or answering the phone and especially the front door.  I am really struggling with everything right now I have little energy and am not much fun to be around, if i'm to be totally honest with you, most days - I'm just about getting through each one and dreading the next one before it even arrives...

From searching and reading up about SAD on the internet, Seasonal Affective Dissorder actually affects quite a few of us at this time of year, though to varying degrees of intensity. It's much worse if you already live with an underlying form of depression.

In the US alone, it is thought between 4-6% of the population suffer with SAD on a real severe level(Especially if your in Alaska-due to being further north I guess), while 10-20% experience the milder forms and symptoms of the illness.  Statistically affecting more Women than it does Men, though not an exact science as to how much so. It is also thought to get "better", or at least affect less of us with the coming of age - the older gereration are less likely to suffer from SAD(Or maybe they are just more stalwart, than us middle aged or younger people!).

Anyway, there it is I'm sure many of you live with it. Maybe your so used to feeling like it that you don't give it much thought anymore, some just say it's just the winter blues. Still I hope someone will chip in, or maybe someone can offer advice on dealing with it. 

Genuinely, this really is the first time that I could have wrote anything like this in weeks and weeks, I don't know why or even how I've managed it tonight - though it's took me about 4/5 hours. But I couldn't of done ANY of this, this morning. Maybe it was just by "starting" the process to write things down about it and try to explain some of it, maybe it has started to help me already? Honestly, I really dunno!...try it.

Stay Blessed+have a good evening my friends...
Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path...
And leave a trail... of Love, Laughter and Understanding.
Reply
#2
Rainbow 
Yep, I would agree that FF, it probably affects more of us than we all realize, but I guess everyone feels a bit fed up in the winter months wherever they live, I mean who doesn't like long summer days with a bright blue sky and all that?! And yes, I definatley find that upping my intake of certain Vitamins helps me feel better at this time of year!
As always, Thankyou and bless ya, FF!

Rafterman, Thankyou for sharing!  And no nothing about ones mental health can sound too weird to disscuss, especially so if your the one that is or has been in the middle of it! And it should never be above any kind of disscusion, though it may depend on the person and the timeing I guess - "eye of the beholder" and all that!  
But it's a real comfort to some out there, just to know there not alone in this - Personally I don't mind posting about my own Mental health issues, infact these days as I get older, it often helps myself with understanding my own issues!
I am more inclined to open up with my personal experiances - especially so as I get older - even if it has the potential to help just one person it can't hurt, if the worst I can do is sound like a fool to some, but create a real connection to just one other then it's worth it...Hell, if we don't talk about these things and how they make us feel, then we will just become more vunerable to it and feel like we stick out, what with the pressures that society can put on us when we are at our lowest...That would be such a great shame, as many peoples issues can be greatly lessend, even just by listening or talking to someone sharing out thier own life experiances. And hell - even just to find out your not alone can be a real life relief to some of us!  
Not so long ago, this, along with many other mental health issues, had one of them "Just get on with it", kinda attitudes. esp. on the subject of SAD/Depression, it is even frowned upon in some places and sadly for some people it still is...

So, I Thank-you Rafterman for your input - it is also very much appriciated my friend! Bless you!
Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path...
And leave a trail... of Love, Laughter and Understanding.
Reply
#3
(10-27-2017, 01:17 AM)fishfarmer Wrote: Izzy, thought of U today as the 50 mph winds and the freezing rain and no sun got me down and it was a long long day! Still Happy too be alive and well and it is something we must deal with? Hope you get more suggestions! Thanks for input Rafterman, bet you are a carpenter as I was once. When I hear the word Raft it reminds me of Tom Sawyer and the small houseboat my Buddy and I built and quit our Job's and travelled 1200 miles down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers one summer back when I was 25. Take Care Izzy-FF

Hey FishFarmer....it is my pleasure to contribute, but thank you for thanking me for doing so! I got the name "Rafterman" from the movie "Full Metal Jacket". It was the nickname of one of the soldiers. The funny thing is that the soldier with that name had a tiny little part in the movie. His character was totally forgettable, but I thought the name sounded cool. lol. Have a great day.

(10-26-2017, 09:24 PM)Izzy76 Wrote: Yep, I would agree that FF, it probably affects more of us than we all realize, but I guess everyone feels a bit fed up in the winter months wherever they live, I mean who doesn't like long summer days with a bright blue sky and all that?! And yes, I definatley find that upping my intake of certain Vitamins helps me feel better at this time of year!
As always, Thankyou and bless ya, FF!

Rafterman, Thankyou for sharing!  And no nothing about ones mental health can sound too weird to disscuss, especially so if your the one that is or has been in the middle of it! And it should never be above any kind of disscusion, though it may depend on the person and the timeing I guess - "eye of the beholder" and all that!  
But it's a real comfort to some out there, just to know there not alone in this - Personally I don't mind posting about my own Mental health issues, infact these days as I get older, it often helps myself with understanding my own issues!
I am more inclined to open up with my personal experiances - especially so as I get older - even if it has the potential to help just one person it can't hurt, if the worst I can do is sound like a fool to some, but create a real connection to just one other then it's worth it...Hell, if we don't talk about these things and how they make us feel, then we will just become more vunerable to it and feel like we stick out, what with the pressures that society can put on us when we are at our lowest...That would be such a great shame, as many peoples issues can be greatly lessend, even just by listening or talking to someone sharing out thier own life experiances. And hell - even just to find out your not alone can be a real life relief to some of us!  
Not so long ago, this, along with many other mental health issues, had one of them "Just get on with it", kinda attitudes. esp. on the subject of SAD/Depression, it is even frowned upon in some places and sadly for some people it still is...

So, I Thank-you Rafterman for your input - it is also very much appriciated my friend! Bless you!
Thank YOU, Izzy. It is also a great relief to find others who are willing to open about such things. Like you, I have also begun to do so more and more as I have aged. And it really does help. Your willingness to tell of your experiences surely helps anyone who comes across your posts. I am really happy that there are people like you out there. Have a fine day!
Reply
#4
Heart 
Apologies, as it seems that I have forgotton to come back to this thread since I last posted in it...

Thank-you for your posts!(FishFarmer, Rafterman, Gemini(I'm glad this was of some help for you!),Cajun Bulldog and Miss Hepburn) And for sharing your experiences, suggestions and general input...It genuinely has made feel a little more positive about it all...

Miss Heapburn - yeah I guess it kinda helps; sharing my experiences of this(certainly for me at least, just by writting stuff down helps..and maybe the thread might be of help for a few others too).  Lol, I'm also kinda glad it's not just me that found using that light-box a completely useless and total waste of my time and energy!  
Though I guess for some people, they really do work wonders for them which is great, so I would suggest they are definetley worth trying if you get SAD, or a "low mood" during these darker, winter months.  But for some of us at least, I guess it's simply because were all very different and everyone responds differently to certain treatments...

I think your all spot on about taking more excercise...And even though sometimes(most times, if I'm honest!), I really have to push myself into starting it...once I get going I find it is probably one of the best remedys for SAD.

For me personally cycling seems to do it for me - with the added benefit of getting me outside of the house; while at the same time doesn't raise my social anxiety too much when I'm out on the bike; as I can ride where I like (in the quieter areas), and I don't feel like I'll end up in one of those "awkward conversation moments" - I guess I like having the ability of not having to stop if I don't feel like socialising that day! Though I still hate those moments; as it makes me feel like I'm being rude and that maybe people think I am just being ignorant, even though it's really not the case - but I just keep running lol! 

Also the extra increase of vitamins are really important to take as well, especially from what I have read and have also been told by my GP.

However, even though I do get why it would help with SAD, what with being under a bright UV light and all, but I just don't see myself going into a tanning saloon and/or booth anytime soon! ;P

Also Audrey, I really can't imagine how it feels to have SAD, and suffer with Insominia at the same time.  Especially at the levels I understand your insomnia to get to at times(and, I do "kind of understand" a little bit anyhow, about insomnia at those levels, as one of my younger brothers has it much like you do - at a similar kind of level to that of your own. (Though I guess it's like anything of that nature(Like my own BPD), you have to live with it or to have a first hand experiance to really understand what it is truely like to live with). My brother has been under psychologists and sleep therapists for year after year now, all trying to figure out how to "control" his insomnia as best as possiable, and even though he has tried all the medications they can think to throw at it, and also tried out the "technological" types of treatments(Even some experimental ones!), nothing has really helped him have any decent level of improvment with his sleeping, they've made little/no difference tbh...and "true" insomnia really is an awful thing to live with - it can really mess with even the the most basic things and especially daily routines in a persons life, things most of us wouldn't even think of, or naturally take for granted.
 
With me, Sleeping and SAD affect me in completely the opposite way to that, maybe it's because depresion also has that same affect on a lot of people to, making them feel tired or low in mental energy.  Somedays, it makes me feel serverly tired for most of the day, and I just want to go to sleep...I mean, desperetely so!  Somedays, it comes over me just a couple of hours after getting up in the morning, even after feeling well rested having a decent nights sleep, then it starts to really mess up my sleep routine during the night when I have to "nap" during the day (I say "nap", but honestly it can be 3-4 hours or more) on some days, and in quite a deep state of sleep too, especially so in the afternoons! Though in all honesty, some days I don't know how I would get through them if I did not get like that, or was not able to sleep through some of the "more darker or depressing states" as it kinda helps - it's just a way of escaping it all, I guess...

But, I honestly cannot imagine not being able to mentally shut down, or not having the option or ability to sleep through some of that kind of depression, especially so on the really bad days, it must be so overwhelming at times.

Even though I know we all have our own issues to bear, it's the ones that are compounded on top of other issues that are our most difficult in life - and that one, it must be a real tough one I would imagine... My heart really goes out to you, Miss Hepburn...


Anyhoo, thanks all for your help and advice, or just for listening...


Be well, and Bless you all!
Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path...
And leave a trail... of Love, Laughter and Understanding.
Reply
#5
Man, Izzy...yet another post that I could have written myself. Pretty much word for word. I am really sorry to hear what your brother is going through. Try to keep optimistic that he will be helped, hopefully as soon as possible. I don't have a brother who shares his problem, but my best friend did for many years. His turned out to more psychological, than physiological, in nature. Deep, unresolved anger and issues. 2 month's of cognitive therapy did more for him than 4 years of going from med to med. His was the exception, though, and certainly not the rule. I have dealt with the most stubborn cases that you could believe. One man was so bad, that they finally ended up using the anesthetic Propofol. Even Midazolam wouldn't put him out. Izzy, are you in the UK? Did the meds they tried on your brother include anesthetic's? They are often seen as the last thing to try because a person under their influence should really be observed for the full time they are under (think Michael Jackson and his incompetent doc). But they will put someone out. For instance, if your brother needed an operation, I am assuming that they can put him under. I am assuming that he responds to anesthetic's. Of course, it's not like real sleep. A person under anesthesia typically doesn't cycle through the normal REM and non-REM stages. It's actually like an induced mini-coma. But if a body is absolutely breaking down because of the prolonged inability to sleep, anesthesia can be used. Anything more that you care to tell about his, or your, situation, I am hear to listen.
Reply
#6
Hi Rafterman, sorry I had not seen this thread for some time and hadn't seen your post but thanks for your comments!

I'm definietly starting to get over the worst of it and am really starting to feel much more positive about everything...I guess my body has just gotten more acclimatized or something - Eitherway I am definatley feeling better(Even a little "festive" today!)

So, just wanna say thanks again to everyone for the positive feedback...sometimes I guess all you need is a little reassurance - and it really did help!

Soon enough it'll be Springtime once again!!

Cool
Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path...
And leave a trail... of Love, Laughter and Understanding.
Reply
#7
(12-06-2017, 10:07 PM)Izzy76 Wrote: Hi Rafterman, sorry I had not seen this thread for some time and hadn't seen your post but thanks for your comments!

I'm definietly starting to get over the worst of it and am really starting to feel much more positive about everything...I guess my body has just gotten more acclimatized or something - Eitherway I am definatley feeling better(Even a little "festive" today!)

So, just wanna say thanks again to everyone for the positive feedback...sometimes I guess all you need is a little reassurance - and it really did help!

Soon enough it'll be Springtime once again!!

Cool
Very glad to hear it, Izzy. Thank you for leaving this update.  RM
Reply
#8
THIS is a great thread, finally I can see others, like me, suffering from SAD. I have it severely and boy does it hit me like a ton of bricks as soon as the clocks change back. First the cold hits, the first snow hits and it's dark on the drive into work and back home. Put me to bed and let me hibernate til about April please... ha.
It's so odd, I can feel it overcome me physically-  like this blanket of dread and despair on top of my regular depression. Fun times Undecided .
But like others here have said, I try going to the tanning salon and that does help some. Drink lots of milk, try to keep my thoughts from going to the 'dark side' and most importantly for me... My pets. THEY have saved me mentally more than any meds have ever. I have no children, no friends really or much family (except a sis out of state) but my pets are my life. I find extreme joy in them even at my lowest. So I'm grateful for them and cling to them desperately this time of year!  Also I used to live in Florida almost my entire life and then made a sudden move to the Midwest. Talk about SHOCK !
The weather difference about floored me and I'm still not used to it. Wish I could go back but.... Undecided
Reply
#9
(12-07-2017, 01:43 PM)Mikka Wrote: THIS is a great thread, finally I can see others, like me, suffering from SAD. I have it severely and boy does it hit me like a ton of bricks as soon as the clocks change back. First the cold hits, the first snow hits and it's dark on the drive into work and back home. Put me to bed and let me hibernate til about April please... ha.
It's so odd, I can feel it overcome me physically-  like this blanket of dread and despair on top of my regular depression. Fun times Undecided .
But like others here have said, I try going to the tanning salon and that does help some. Drink lots of milk, try to keep my thoughts from going to the 'dark side' and most importantly for me... My pets. THEY have saved me mentally more than any meds have ever. I have no children, no friends really or much family (except a sis out of state) but my pets are my life. I find extreme joy in them even at my lowest. So I'm grateful for them and cling to them desperately this time of year!  Also I used to live in Florida almost my entire life and then made a sudden move to the Midwest. Talk about SHOCK !
The weather difference about floored me and I'm still not used to it. Wish I could go back but.... Undecided
Mikka!
I have dreamed of living in Florida for my entire life, primarily to escape some of my SAD symptom's. It's too bad that you had to leave there. I lived for almost 50 years in Brooklyn and Northern NJ before moving south to escape the snow. It helps a bit, but I still have that feeling that I am being stalked by the Winter, if you know what I mean. I start to think about it in the Summer! It gets a little cold where I am, but we only average 3 inches of snow per year. Contrast that to a few years when we had 80 inches in Jersey. BTW, I love your cat icon. I he/she yours? I am also an animal fanatic.I couldn't live one more minute if animal's did not exist in this world. I have been looking for a good picture of my Chihuahua-mix, Cooper, to use as my icon. He is the love of my life. My feelings about animals has served to alienate me from some folks over the course of my life. Always nice to meet someone who feels the same way. I am really glad that you joined the group.   RM
Reply
#10
(12-08-2017, 02:57 AM)Rafterman Wrote:
(12-07-2017, 01:43 PM)Mikka Wrote: THIS is a great thread, finally I can see others, like me, suffering from SAD. I have it severely and boy does it hit me like a ton of bricks as soon as the clocks change back. First the cold hits, the first snow hits and it's dark on the drive into work and back home. Put me to bed and let me hibernate til about April please... ha.
It's so odd, I can feel it overcome me physically-  like this blanket of dread and despair on top of my regular depression. Fun times Undecided .
But like others here have said, I try going to the tanning salon and that does help some. Drink lots of milk, try to keep my thoughts from going to the 'dark side' and most importantly for me... My pets. THEY have saved me mentally more than any meds have ever. I have no children, no friends really or much family (except a sis out of state) but my pets are my life. I find extreme joy in them even at my lowest. So I'm grateful for them and cling to them desperately this time of year!  Also I used to live in Florida almost my entire life and then made a sudden move to the Midwest. Talk about SHOCK !
The weather difference about floored me and I'm still not used to it. Wish I could go back but.... Undecided
Mikka!
I have dreamed of living in Florida for my entire life, primarily to escape some of my SAD symptom's. It's too bad that you had to leave there. I lived for almost 50 years in Brooklyn and Northern NJ before moving south to escape the snow. It helps a bit, but I still have that feeling that I am being stalked by the Winter, if you know what I mean. I start to think about it in the Summer! It gets a little cold where I am, but we only average 3 inches of snow per year. Contrast that to a few years when we had 80 inches in Jersey. BTW, I love your cat icon. I he/she yours? I am also an animal fanatic.I couldn't live one more minute if animal's did not exist in this world. I have been looking for a good picture of my Chihuahua-mix, Cooper, to use as my icon. He is the love of my life. My feelings about animals has served to alienate me from some folks over the course of my life. Always nice to meet someone who feels the same way. I am really glad that you joined the group.   RM

Hey there Rafterman..
So,I see you understand my pain of the winter & snow!! It's the worst, huh?
The term you stated as "stalked" by the winter. THAT is a great expression ! 
  And my kitten avatar, that is actually Mikka! It's only right to use her photo if
I'm going to use her name here   Blush
And I'm like you, my animals are my life! I would be in a verrrry bad place if I didn't have them.
They are a blessing. And aren't they sooooo much better than some of the people you know? 
Ha. The more I talk to people in real life (like at work), the more I like my cat!  Big Grin
I'd love to see a pic of your Cooper boy. 
Maybe we should start a Show your Pet thread....
That would be fun but not sure if that's allowed.
Love me some critters!
And thank you for the kind words. Ditto, nice to meet you, as well.
Mikka ~
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)