I've Asked Before About SAD

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
Anyone else experience Seasonal Affective Disorder? Mine gets pretty bad. Doctor prescrbed me an antidepressant.

I know about those full spectrum lights but don't have the funds. I take vitamins and vitamin D and Magnesium.

Some days it's harder than others. Going to get the antidepressant increased. It was helping some but today has been bad.

Symptoms​

In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

  • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Having low energy
  • Having problems with sleeping
  • Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
  • Feeling sluggish or agitated
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Fall and winter SAD​

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

  • Oversleeping
  • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
  • Weight gain
  • Tiredness or low energy

Spring and summer SAD​

Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:

  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Agitation or anxiety
 

Last edited:
Don't know much about nutrients but I HEARD and READ that Vitamin B COMPLEX WITH FOLIC ACID raises moods.
I really think it does!
You may be affected by the atmosphere of the Earth, extra sensitive about all the horrible things happening in the world.
if you can't get the sunshine, music you love can help a lot too!
My heart goes out to you. Wish I could help!
 
Ruthanne said:
Anyone else experience Seasonal Affective Disorder? Mine gets pretty bad. Doctor prescrbed me an antidepressant.

I know about those full spectrum lights but don't have the funds. I take vitamins and vitamin D and Magnesium.

Some days it's harder than others. Going to get the antidepressant increased. It was helping some but today has been bad.

Symptoms​

In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

  • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Having low energy
  • Having problems with sleeping
  • Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
  • Feeling sluggish or agitated
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Fall and winter SAD​

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

  • Oversleeping
  • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
  • Weight gain
  • Tiredness or low energy

Spring and summer SAD​

Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:

  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Agitation or anxiety
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The only time I have ever experienced SAD was when studying in London. I found the weather for most of the year depressing. I was going to suggest one of those lamps Ruth, but you have already investigated that. I hope you feel a little better as the day wears on :)
 
Gaer said:
Don't know much about nutrients but I HEARD and READ that Vitamin B COMPLEX WITH FOLIC ACID raises moods.
I really think it does!
You may be affected by the atmosphere of the Earth, extra sensitive about all the horrible things happening in the world.
if you can't get the sunshine, music you love can help a lot too!
My heart goes out to you. Wish I could help!
Click to expand...
Thanks Gaer, just put the music on. I took a multi vitamin with lots of b vitamins in it awhile ago. You did help by caring and your ideas...I appreciate that.
 
Shero said:
The only time I have ever experienced SAD was when studying in London. I found the weather for most of the year depressing. I was going to suggest one of those lamps Ruth, but you have already investigated that. I hope you feel a little better as the day wears on :)
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Thanks Shero. The weather has so much to do with it, yes. I long for the sun to shine again.
 
Aunt Bea said:
Ruthanne,

Do a search for the full spectrum lightbulbs to treat the symptoms of SAD.

Now they offer just the bulb for $15-$20 that you can use in your existing lamps and light fixtures.

I always fight the winter blahs by growing a flowering bulb kit or two to lift my spirits.

Think Spring!🌹🌸🌺🌷🌼
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Thanks @Aunt Bea Right now can't afford the 15 to 20 for lightbulbs but I do put on my lights, all of them when SAD hits me. Helps a bit. I have some bulbs I bought a year ago that change colors and I like to look at those, helps some.
 
Ruthanne said:
Anyone else experience Seasonal Affective Disorder? Mine gets pretty bad. Doctor prescrbed me an antidepressant.

I know about those full spectrum lights but don't have the funds. I take vitamins and vitamin D and Magnesium.

Some days it's harder than others. Going to get the antidepressant increased. It was helping some but today has been bad.

Symptoms​

In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

  • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Having low energy
  • Having problems with sleeping
  • Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
  • Feeling sluggish or agitated
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Fall and winter SAD​

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

  • Oversleeping
  • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
  • Weight gain
  • Tiredness or low energy

Spring and summer SAD​

Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:

  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Agitation or anxiety
Click to expand...
Just sending you a big hug, Ruth. :)
 
Ruth, Could you watch some comedies on TV?
Secondhand Lions?
The Invention of Lying?
old 1930's happy ending romances on U-tube?
Another thing: SMILE! I know you don't feel like it but "Fake it till you make it".
Just some ideas that might help.
 
Dear Ruthanne, so sorry you're going through this! I also heard about the lamps, and Gaer's suggestions were also helpful.
I have had something like this a few weeks ago and it spurred me to join this group. The SF has been very good for me and I recommend staying the course. Also, write down three things each day you are grateful for. For example, I am grateful for my house, for this forum, and living in the US. It's a form of positive psychology that has shown to work and lift up people's spirits. Good luck, and lots of hugs.🌺
 
As soon as it’s fall, I know winter is around the corner and it depresses me. They’re predicting a bad winter. Daily walks become a challenge. It’s dark by 4 pm and cold Once I get through to January, I know I’m on the home stretch so I cope better.
 
Jules said:
As soon as it’s fall, I know winter is around the corner and it depresses me. They’re predicting a bad winter. Daily walks become a challenge. It’s dark by 4 pm and cold Once I get through to January, I know I’m on the home stretch so I cope better.
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I know what you mean...Our Winters here often last till April or May-I mean the cold and gloom.
 
My solution for SAD was to buy some of the new LED light bulbs because I could get some in the 5000K spectrum which is the same spectrum as sunlight.

Most light bulbs are in the 3000K spectrum which is a softer yellow light that we have always had.

The LED bulbs are supposed to last 10 years and the 60W size only uses 9watts so they save money on power too. At Walmart they are about $2 each, so get a few and see if it helps.
 
You may need a change of anti-depressant if your current one isn't doing anything for you, Ruthanne. I've been on a low dose (2mg) of Abilify for a few years, and it has made a world of difference.

Hoping for better days for you, soon 🤗
 
Pinky said:
You may need a change of anti-depressant if your current one isn't doing anything for you, Ruthanne. I've been on a low dose (2mg) of Abilify for a few years, and it has made a world of difference.

Hoping for better days for you, soon 🤗
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@Ruthanne, a fellow SAD sufferer here, so I certainly sympathize.

Back when I lived in Chicago, I'd tumble into a mild depressive state from Halloween until Easter and could never really understand why. Then, in Y2K I retired I to Florida, where the sun shines almost daily, and winters were a lot more tolerable.

Last year, I moved to rural Kentucky. the shorter days and cooler temps have that mild depression kicking in. I've been treating it with L-Tryptophan supplements. L-Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, the 'feel good' neuro chemical and it seems to help.

SAD and changes in the barometric pressure can definitely affect my mood...

sitting here and yearning for the Vernal Equinox while I type this...
 
Ruthanne said:
I know what you mean...Our Winters here often last till April or May-I mean the cold and gloom.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean. I live in N/W, Indiana. There are weeks I have here with no sunshine from Nov. through Feb.
I have a lot of old Hee Haw recordings on DVR; I watch them & get some good laughs. Also, Rolan & Martin. I take one multivitamin every day. I drink about a gallon of milk every three days.

My doctor told me to stop taking all the other supplements as they can interfere with your other prescribed meds. He said a good multivitamin is all a person needs.
 
Thinking of you Ruthanne, and sending love your way. I don't have any new advice except for the lighting and vitamins, sorry. Here's an article that may be of no help, but I thought it didn't hurt to post it and let you browse through it.
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/23/9271...oping-with-sad-or-seasonal-affective-disorder

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Pinky said:
You may need a change of anti-depressant if your current one isn't doing anything for you, Ruthanne. I've been on a low dose (2mg) of Abilify for a few years, and it has made a world of difference.

Hoping for better days for you, soon 🤗
Click to expand...
I had only began the antidepressant so my doctor upped it a few days ago and I am not at the therapeutic dose yet. It will take waiting a month to see how I am then. Thanks for your message @Pinky
 

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