Does anyone suffer from seasonal depression?

Question

I have problems with depression in general and take an anti-depressant for it but during the months with lots of sunshine it's managable. However, once Fall and winter come around I get really depressed. I hate the lack of sunlight and early nights. I feel so lonely and just depressed inside and hate how when you go out there aren't many people outside so it feels like a ghost town. Anyone else get like this?

Answer 1

I suffer from season depression also. I am already on medication for depression and I am alright but when it's not sunny, and when the weather is just bad, I go crazy. I get so depressed, I won't go out and I feel so sad and lonely. I need sunshine.

Answer 2

Yes, sometimes I get like that . It can get pretty bad. I try to hang around/talk to as many people as I can during winter and fall.

Answer 3

Studies show that people who live in area's that have less sunshine suffer with more depression then people who live in sunny area's. Also Suicide rates are also higher in area's with less sunshine.

I for instance, Do not like Winter, or fall.  Fall s right before winter and it just lets me know that the time of year I hate most is shortly to arrive. Spring and Summer are my favorite times of the year.  But I wonder if I enjoyed skiing, then would that change my perspective of Winter?   Sure, it probably would.  but I don't ski, and I still don't enjoy winter at all.  

Answer 4

Hi !!   I do have seasonal depression and I know what you mean. What really helps, when the sun starts setting earlier and it's not quite as light and all....Go to a tanning booth...Do it for however long you think you need to. If you dont usually do this then it will be a small change but you will eventually get to where you can tan up to 10 minutes, and when you get there..Just stay with the 10 minutes..It helps. I call it my light therapy. I know it may not sound really great but it does help..More ways than one. And if you don't like the idea of tanning then look into some REAL light therapy, it's great.

Good Luck - God Bless You

-Cindy

Answer 5

I also have chronic depression that gets worse at this time of the year.

I dread the fall, winter and the darkness.

My friend gave me one of those light boxes.  It did help me last year.

I think I should start using it every day again.  We are like plants. we need sunshine.  Try to get out during the middle of the day when it is most bright.  I hope you will be able to get help with your SAD.

I know it is very hard when we're already feeling depressed and then have this on top of the depression.

Answer 6

I reckon I might have SAD - I always find January through March the worst time of the year. I'm not a depressive, but I do get pretty miserable then and it's a pattern I've noticed for the last 6-7 years now, and last winter I was going to counselling for something completely different and my counsellor pointed out to me, come about May, the difference she could see in me...

I think they suggest light-boxes as a way of dealing with it - I don't know how they work, but it might be worth your checking out if there's anywhere in your town that has a light-box you could use every now and then... they're supposed to be quite helpful.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Yes, by March I am in bad shape.

This time I ordered these full spectrum lights from Dr. Mercola in Chicago. I started using them in April, and was coping a little better in a few weeks.