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Thread: Seasonal depression

  1. #1
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Thumbs down Seasonal depression

    Is this the correct technical term for it? (probably not) I live in an area with 4 diverse seasons, and basically I feel a little depressed every time fall or winter arrives. It's been worse than usual for me this year. I don't get as depressed about fall as I used to, because I started finding fun things to do during Halloween, fall, and all the other holidays. I started making it a point to schedule fun daytrips or attend interesting seasonal events like a haunted house exhibit. But I'm still depressed during winter, more now than previous years.

    I hate the cold weather, and I cannot stand it! I also do not like the limited amount of daylight. I've noticed that I cannot get up before sunrise for the life of me, even though I really should. This bad attitude about winter can be contributed to my hatred for cold weather, and because bad things occured in winter in the past few yrs(e.g., my ex died in November and my mom died in February). I keep wasting away the days, waiting for spring. I don't hang out as much with my friends as usual, I complain on websites like SW more than I should, I haven't found much that is interesting in my life. I keep telling myself that everything will be so much better when spring arrives.

    Anyone else go through this? Anything you want to share about it, such as stories or your own experiences? Any ideas to help me to snap out of this rut?

  2. #2
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    There's lots of information on the Internet about Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). I've got it, too. And, sadly, it's getting worse as I get older. Maybe this is why old people move to Florida or Arizona?

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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    Philly, I share with you the loss of a parent in February, and of another dear friend in the same month, and I have known a number of friends who face this same problem with winter depression. I find that especially around the dates of those losses I can have trouble--almost like that time is cyclical and coming back around at me. Those are the tougher times for me. But the season in general I get through all right--even with some joy--because, frankly, I love to ski and get out in the whiteness; I find also that if I actively think about the good times I've had with winter, some of them with the very people I've lost, this also helps.

    But I know it is not always a question of perspective: one of the people I know who had seasonal depression had been told there was a chemical reason for it; I sympathize very much with this. In his case it had something to do with light, and I remember that he had a special light in his house. It also might help to take an active role in getting involved in the magical nature of the season: I was driving last night in a snowstorm in the mountains. It was a difficult drive, but I found myself staring in wonder at the steady whiteness and the glazed trees and felt, suddenly, very lucky to be where I was, alone on a winding road in the mountains in winter. I don't know if actively seeking out that wonder will help, but you can find trees, sky, fences, buildings--things changed by the nature of the season--that may offer some inspiration when you are feeling down.

    I'm sorry for the losses you went through. I really understand how these things change you. I hope you'll be able to find some peace in this season.
    JK Jim

  4. #4
    Alaska
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    I hear you. It improved a lot when I moved out here, but sadly this year's pretty bad. Even tho it's sunny every day, I guess I sleep too late so I only see like a few hours of it!

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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    I'm sorry for your loss Philly. Thats very hard to go through.

    I'm the same way where I feel down during the winter. I eat bad, hermitize myself, then feel shitty for a few months. The only thing that helps me is sunshine. In the past I would go tanning or just sit in the sun on a cold winter day. Yesterday, I took a drive and eventhough I was stuck in traffic part of the way I felt really good. Maybe you could give those a try?

    I really have no other advice on how to get out of it except for wait for spring and a bit of sunshine. SAD effects alot of people. You're not alone.
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



  6. #6
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    Quote Originally Posted by jhuka View Post
    Philly, I share with you the loss of a parent in February, and of another dear friend in the same month, and I have known a number of friends who face this same problem with winter depression. I find that especially around the dates of those losses I can have trouble--almost like that time is cyclical and coming back around at me. Those are the tougher times for me. But the season in general I get through all right--even with some joy--because, frankly, I love to ski and get out in the whiteness; I find also that if I actively think about the good times I've had with winter, some of them with the very people I've lost, this also helps.

    But I know it is not always a question of perspective: one of the people I know who had seasonal depression had been told there was a chemical reason for it; I sympathize very much with this. In his case it had something to do with light, and I remember that he had a special light in his house. It also might help to take an active role in getting involved in the magical nature of the season: I was driving last night in a snowstorm in the mountains. It was a difficult drive, but I found myself staring in wonder at the steady whiteness and the glazed trees and felt, suddenly, very lucky to be where I was, alone on a winding road in the mountains in winter. I don't know if actively seeking out that wonder will help, but you can find trees, sky, fences, buildings--things changed by the nature of the season--that may offer some inspiration when you are feeling down.

    I'm sorry for the losses you went through. I really understand how these things change you. I hope you'll be able to find some peace in this season.
    Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. Unfortunately, part of the reason I hate winter is because I also hate snow and cold. I'm the type who will stay in and hibernate during a snowday, instead of playing in the snow like others. I am also deathly afraid of driving in the snow, or even the risk of walking in it and injuring myself(as I did when I was younger). Even before these people died and a few other horrible events from my past(I'll keep these events to myself), I disliked winter simply because of the cold and snow.

    You do raise a good point though, to try and find some fun with snow. Admittedly I do like snowball fights! And I've never been skiing before ever, so perhaps I should think about doing that if I happen to get a snowday or snowy weekend sometime soon.

    Admittedly it has been a snowless, fairly mild winter so far around Philly(but that's still way too cold for me!!). The wind chill has been the worst part. So I'm starting to wonder if perhaps it's less about the snow/cold, and more about the lack of light or "reliving" the tragedies I went through a few years ago. I can relate so much about the losses being cyclical and coming back. I also agree with you about the light problem your friend went through...that might explain how I can never get up before it's daylight.

  7. #7
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    Quote Originally Posted by TigersMilk View Post
    I'm sorry for your loss Philly. Thats very hard to go through.

    I'm the same way where I feel down during the winter. I eat bad, hermitize myself, then feel shitty for a few months. The only thing that helps me is sunshine. In the past I would go tanning or just sit in the sun on a cold winter day. Yesterday, I took a drive and eventhough I was stuck in traffic part of the way I felt really good. Maybe you could give those a try?

    I really have no other advice on how to get out of it except for wait for spring and a bit of sunshine. SAD effects alot of people. You're not alone.
    Thank you for sympathizing during this difficult time for me. Tuesday marks 2 yrs since my mom died that's the main reason I hate Valentine's Day so much.

    Yes I agree, the sunshine is very helpful. I also agree with you about driving around...if it's a sunny day and you're warm in a heated car, you can sometimes pretend that it's warm out! I've done that before and it helped a little bit. Tanning might be a good idea too...God knows I need it! LOL.

    I'm starting to think that another problem I face -- concerning the lack of light -- is that I get out of work by the time it's already dark. That puts me in the mindset where I do not want to go out and do anything once it gets dark, I think. Perhaps I should try my hardest to wake up by sunrise, so that I can go to work earlier and thus leave earlier? Hmmm.

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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    I just passed the third year of my loss, Philly, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts on Tuesday.

    I know that it is different for everyone, but I've found as time goes on, especially in this third year, that the ache and sadness of the actual loss itself lessens and that what is left is the voice of my father in another realm, speaking with me all the time, as he always did. Any situation I face he is there, offering advice and getting me through it. I don't know how it happens but our loved ones are always with us if we listen. They don't want us to be torn apart year after year over our loss; I think they want us to go on and live life with them in our hearts. We don't get over such things, I don't think--these difficulties just change us and we build our lives again with new understandings, and we do our best to move on.

    Here are my good wishes that the week will go all right for you, though I know it will be an emotional one. Please feel free to PM me if I can help or if you just want to talk about it.
    JK Jim

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    Banned i.breathe.in's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    i am with you. hate driving in the snow or being in the cold. i cant stand the loss of sunlight. i end up sleeping like 14 hours a day. its hit me bad this year so i know how you feel.

  10. #10
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    After spending the winter in NorCal in the constant rain, gloom and cold, and being from AZ, I definitely wonder if I have S.A.D. As soon as we got some sun and warmth, my mood was instantly the opposite, and my spirits started feeling like they were lifting.

    February is a rough month for me too....a very close family member died February 12th, 2006....

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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    Seasonal Affective Disorder has a lot to do with the lack of sunlight in the winter. It depends on the person of course, but a light box can be a big help. The bulbs provide the kinds of of light that you don't get from regular indoor lights (both incandescent and florescent). You usually sit in front of it for about 30 minutes in the morning, with your eyes open, but not looking directly at the light. Tanning might help, but the main thing is that your eyes are open, which I don't think is very safe to do when tanning. It can take a couple days to start feeling better, so you have to do it consistently for it to be effective. Otherwise, if you feel better, then stop, then wait until you feel bad again, it'll be a couple days before you feel better again.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sea...sorder/MH00023

  12. #12
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    Quote Originally Posted by BrunetteGoddess View Post

    February is a rough month for me too....a very close family member died February 12th, 2006....
    Fuck...that's the exact date that my mom died...small world...

  13. #13
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression



    I just realized that my 3 month work anniversary and my last day there is the 12th. And the exact date was the last time I danced.


    I'm not going to take this welll.......

    I'm sorry about your loss Philly.

  14. #14
    PhillyDancer1982
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    ^ Thanks for your sympathy and thoughts. I am sorry about your loss too.

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    Veteran Member ohiogirl26's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    I'm so sorry for everyone's losses on here. I do have a sturdy suggeston though as far as dealing with wintertime. I managed a tanning salon for a couple years and had people come in and talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder. I know tanning has been mentioned a couple of times in this thread, I will recommend this highly. I live in Ohio, where currently, we are getting about 6-10 inches of snow today and very depressing. I watched many people come in to tan that told me their Doctor told them to try it. The light from the bulbs makes all the difference! Always, wear your eye goggles still! You will know that you are in a light and warm place. I have heard nothing but good comments from people and I also experienced it myself. I felt more uplifted and energized by the end of the tan. Then in the spring and summer, you can enjoy the real warmth from the sun!

    Just my two cents....Have a good day!

  16. #16
    Veteran Member TheLioness's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    I haven't had a winter loss but my mood certainly changes as soon at the first sign of winter, and it has always been this way. I stay sleepy all the time too. A couple of things that helps for me is to join a gym and exercise. Exercise increases your serotonin levels and improves your mood. It also helps since I'm able to socialize with other adults while I'm there. Our gym also has an indoor pool and spa and it always reminds me of summer just to go swimming in the pool for a couple hours, and swimming those laps just make me look forward to summer more because it's great exercise and I know it's helping me get my flabby butt in shape!

    Those things have "helped" me, but of course hasn't solved the problem completely. If anyone has a magic solution I'd be the first one to try it

  17. #17
    Senior Member Gwennnnnn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Seasonal depression

    YEah... I got it sooo bad this winter.. working at night as a dancer, going to bed at 5 or 5 am.. waking up to 2 hours of pitiful light... living cold ass Brooklyn, not being in school anymore and trying to pursue my real career half-heartedly (photography) Its gotten pretty bad for me, so I'm going to FL to see my family for a while.. Nothing for me seems to work except time.. Waiting for the SUNSHINE!!!!!

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