Seasonal Affective Disorder

Hello everyone! For the past five years or so I get very depressed in Winter and I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. I have no drive to do anything, I slightly neglect my personal hygiene, I'm always hungry and although I have no trouble getting to sleep and waking up (I have at least 8 hours sleep a night), by 11am I am shattered. It's affected my university degree because I live 12 miles away from uni and getting up at 7am in the dark just makes me sick.

I neglect my friends and just don't want to go out. I feel useless all the time and very needy and I have 3 essays due at the end of Dec and beginning of Jan and already I am FRANTICALLY worrying because I haven't started them. I'm always tired, usually crying for no apparent reason. I don't have suicidal thoughts as such but I feel useless and get very upset very easily by comments that really shouldn't bother me.

However in Summer I am a COMPLETELY different person. I am so happy and confident. I have no problems getting up at 6am after as little as four hours sleep. I am often elated and every summer people comment on how glowing I look. I really do feel FANTASTIC in the summer. I have a great social life.

The only way I can describe how I feel is really like a tree. In summer when the leaves are green the tree looks beautiful and you can tell it's a live and thriving. But in Winter I feel dormant, depressed and feel like my life is going nowhere.

I am very sick and tired of the Dr Jekyll and Hyde personality. And on Monday, I am going to my Doctors for a diagnosis. I am frightened to death. I think I've always known (since Eighteen) I have SAD and I have tried to get a diagnosis only to be told that I have anemia. But why does the "anemia" return every winter? I am frightened that my doctor may think I'm being silly and say there is no such disorder.

It's ruining my life. I'm actually crying right now because I'm only young and I can't enjoy my life like I should because of my undiagnosed disorder. But I'm sick of being depressed all the time.

Has anyone here got it? Or faced problems being diagnosed? I'm so terrified my Doctor will try and say its "just anemia" like my last doctor did. But I can't go on like this. I feel stupid for posting this.

 

They are only going to put you on medication if you tell a doctor.

Your better off just trying the more natural method and picking up some 5-HTP and paying attention to your diet, you'd be surprised how much diet affects your mood.

Good luck, I'm sure you will get good responses here

 

what kinds of foods are good for improving moods?

 

Brain foods. I forgot to mention Omega-3's help a lot for this sort of thing also, and are a good combination with the 5-HTP.

A lot of it comes down to protein, fish is extremely good brain food, but many, like myself, don't consume the right amount of fish, if any at all. That's where the Omega-3 fish oils may make a big difference in how you think/feel during the day.

My diet used to be horrendous. I mean, I'd probably say the worst. I used to eat 60% fast food, soda, junk food, it was bad. At the same time I used to complain about my moods, or depression signs.

All of this, and I mean ALL of this changed when I stuck to a good diet. Nuts, fruits, vegetables, meat, paying attention to sugar, 0 caffeine, etc...

I became much more alert, healthy, energetic, etc. Eating healthy is the most underrated thing when it comes to mental issues/frustrations. Most would attack it at the source or many will cover it up with medications and never completely grow out of the issues they are having.

Good luck, you'd be surprised how much the 5-HTP/Omega-3 supplement works for your mood though.

 

GO to a TANNING SALON.. get some sun.. no shit you will feel better. trust me Im indoors all the time, work and tired from work.. Catch some rays and I feel a lot better.
follow the others advice too.

 

Yes! Nothing better than pure, inviting, Vitamin D, even if it's a bit chilly out this time of year

Even being outside at all, most people don't even get fresh air with the way they wake up inside, hop in the car, blast the heat or AC, run into work, go back home, etc...

I'd even suggest doing something besides what you have been doing. If you find you're in a routine lately with work, eating, sleep, fill in the gaps with things that you enjoy, even if it's walking. I go to the mall to just have a walk sometimes and see people, just relax..

All of these things are crucial in keeping a straight head, don't forget you're a human being and have natural necessities also.

 

my Dad suffers from this too and it totally sucks for him. One thing that has really helped is extra Vitamin D, he got a blood test and apparently his levels were super super low so that is something to consider. I also think if you do a google search you can find full spectrum light bulbs that simulate natural sunlight which are supposed to help. Good luck!

 

Hi all thanks for your replies.

My diet has no effect on my symptoms I already consume the Recommended Weekly Allowance in Omega 3's and I eat a lot of fruit and veg. I've been looking into the 5 HTP and I don't think this is for me as it aids sleep and I have no problems getting to sleep and if I took it it may make me groggier than I am already. Today I found it so hard to get up I missed uni and didn't stir til 12pm.

I'm also not too thrilled on visiting sunbeds because it's money that I cannot afford to lose so could I just take vitamin D supplements?

I don't drive either so I rely on public transport which gives me exercise as I have to walk everywhere to get a bus/train on top of the walking exercises (hour a day) I do in my spare time. I do consume a lot of caffeine though so I will be cutting this down. Maybe sticking to water. I have been researching light boxes etc but they are just too expensive the cheapest thing I can find is £29 as I am part of a low income household this is too much money.

One other thing that concerns me is my lack of being able to warm up after I've been in the cold. When I go out I wear appropriate clothing for the winter which includes top, woolen jumper, winter coat, scarf and gloves. Whenever I go out and come back home it takes me four hours to warm up with the heating on full blast. (I used to wear an angorra tam but it overheated me) The only way I can warm up quickly is if I go to bed and it's highly embarrassing if I have people over.

Maybe I should just tell my doctor I am unwilling to go on antidepressants, I've been on them before and they've made me worse not better.

 

Hmmm it's a tricky one....all the above suggestions are good, and most definitely worth a try.

The one treatment that has been shown to work for many people is light therapy early in the morning. I know you mentioned the light boxes are expensive, but it may well be worth the money for the extra productivity you gain!

It's a complicated mechanism but the bright light in the morning causes a shift in your normal body clock/sleep pattern (Circadian rhythm), this shift builds up over time and will result in your body clock telling you to wake up - and you should find it easier to get out of bed! It also reduces the ammount of melatonin secreted in the morning - thus making you less drowzy in the mornings, but won't affect you going to sleep at night!

What I'm getting at, is that, although expensive, the science behind it makes sense! (Honestly!)

Hope you feel better soon!

 

I always sleep in total darkness, Im exposed to Uv light alot, but this isnt enought.
Lighting that might be in grocery store/office building is ok.. But will not help you produce vitamin D..
Most tanning places have specials... Some unlimited for $20.00. You have to shop around.. In my area some of these ppl are low income ppl that buy bed for their home and rent them out in back rooms. (actually a good business I believe..
Some of these Ive noticed are older ppl, That I think discovered that "Oh I can rid depression with some light bulbs and make money too" They are always so happy and helpfull... My last sessions were 20.00 unlimited for a month. I think I hit the bed 15 times for a total of 20min each.. Thats a bargain.

Ive always had trouble bringing up my core temperture after being in the cold.. my hands mostly... i sometimes keep my mittens on when I come indoors for a while. Always wear a hat..
Do not wear tight shoes, or cut off circulation with tight clothes. Loose clothes so you dont sweat underneith.. Sweating will make you colder..

 

Let's not forget the cancer risk!

 

yes, I know I do tend to over look that... but the things ive been exposed to. I personally believe the bed isnt the worst thing Ive been exposed too.. But cautions should be taken.

 

I've been meaning to get on a sunbed at some point...I think people can actually see through me with how pale I am...

 

I think you are thinking too much about what could be an issue of yours. You started out with mood issues that you seem to be blaming on the seasons. Seasonal affective disorder is very broad and everyone goes through it to a degree. If you set your mind to it you're going to eventually fall into it, this goes with anything. You seem to already be sure this is your issue, when it's not, you just seem hung up on it and 100% sure of it. Most of this has to do with your brain and how strong you think, and how easily you can be tricked into thinking you have some sickness, when you are in fact normal.

There is a declared disorder for every feeling possible, and if you can think it up, there is one. It's terrible. Season Affective Disorder is one of these. They rather put you on meds than you deal with your own issues like a normal human.

Everyone dislikes winter and the cold weather, and depending on body mass and height, everyone warms up differently after being in the cold. Winter is back, just get used to it, before you know it summer will be here, but if you keep dwelling on what could be an issue (which in my opinion there are none), you'll go nowhere.

Good luck, in my opinion you are just depressed overall. Which is another silly thing to fall into. Go make your favorite meal, or take a warm shower and relax...Your mind is stronger than you think, be careful.

Also, 5-HTP is not necessarily a sleep aid at all. If you think you will take it and fall asleep, that's not the case. It acts as a lubricant to build serotonin, which makes you 'happy'. 5-HTP can be a treatment for depression all by itself. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it just because wiki says "sleep-aid" when that's not it's primary use.

 

^
routines. make them Happy routines. I agree with the hot shower, Cleaning your body
will remove not only dirt, But negitive energy. Try to take deep breaths while taking a shower and relax.
Depression is all in your head, but has many enviromental factors...

 

Well theres a lot of history of skin cancer in my family so sunbeds... I'm not willing to risk it please be careful . I did try those tan coloured moisturising lotions but they were horrid.
Maybe you're right snocbor, maybe I am just depressed. I shouldn't BE depressed though. I have nothing to complain about. I dunno. My husband made me roast potatoes and he gave me a pint of Ben and Jerry's to devour.

I think in a few weeks time when I am financially better off (Thanks christmas!) I will try out a light box. Not a good place to be though to wait so long. I do agree with the hot shower! Whenever I feel REALLY rubbish, I imagine the shower washing away all the negative energy as well as drawing the energy to my chest and breathing it out.

 

I think you're both right....SAD is a sort of depression, and you do sound a 'lil depressed. And remember, you can be depressed without having anything to be depressed about as such!

Take all the advice you want, but remember its a really personal thing and you need to find what works for you, and go for it!
Sounds like you've already got your fix - hot shower then B&J!!!!!

 

I'm so glad a thread was made on this! I get seasonal depression so bad each year! I've been drinking a lot of green tea lately, though, and that is making me feel a little better. I drink it every morning after I do my pilates. It's helping. I've been eating better, too - a lot of fish and greens. I'm hoping this helps, however, it's been raining for a few days and won't be ending for a few more days and it's bringing me down and making me really tired. Great ideas in this thread, though!

 

Green tea eh? Think i'll try that out. I bought loads of vitamin supplements today, Iron, Zinc, Omega 3's, and Vitamin D. Hopefully they'll give me a boost. Sorry to hear you suffer from it lovelyxmalia. If I am diagnosed with it on Monday and my Dr gives me great advice, I'll share it with you :grouphug:

 

this is a really great thread.

i have wondered myself if i have SAD because as soon as the weather changes and gets cold, i start feeling a bit depressed, and kinda spacey, i lack interest in what i usually enjoy, i develop anxiety for no reason, want to stay home mostly, and want to lay down alot, sleep.