I know I have SAD. I've never been officially diagnosed, although I'm not even sure it is diagnosable.
All I know is that since I was a kid, sunlight has been something that I desperately crave.
In the winter, my dad used to put plastic over the windows to keep the draft out, but he'd close the shades first, so they were closed all winter. I remember come January, I felt desperate to rip the plastic off and get some sunlight. I would, too.
Every year, at the beginning of fall, I feel great. The sun is bright and the weather is mild, and days liuke that make me feel incredibly happy.
Today, it's cold, dark, and rainy. I feel distinctly different than I did yesterday. It's almost 2:00 in the afternoon and I can barely bring myself to get up. I woke up, went online for awhile, and I sat around and watched 3 hours of TV (I barely watch 3 hours in a week!).
I FORCED myself to wash a few dishes and straighten up the house - something that once it's done, makes me very happy. But, even looking at my spotless house, I just feel sad.
I haven't even showered yet (ew). It'll take me 10 minutes and make me feel a lot better, but I have no motivation whatsoever.
I don't get it. It seems like my SAD is getting worse every year. Two years ago, we lived in a basement apartment, and we HAD to move because I was in a constant state of depression - even in springtime. Every time I came home and walked down the stairs, I would cry, and then be grumpy for the rest of the day.
Right now, we live in a house with lots of huge windows, but there's no sunlight outside, so therefore no sunlight inside.
Does anyone else suffer from this? If so, how do you cope with it??
I definately suffer from SAD...every winter I always have at least a small depressive episode...sometimes worse. I'm always much, much happier in the spring/summer.
I told my shrink about it after I realized that I kept going back to her pretty regularly every winter. She said that I should get a special lamp that is supposed to mimic the natural rays of the sun. I thought it sounded kinda silly, but I read in my psych book that it has produced good results in research studies with people with SAD. She also said that the lamps can sometimes be covered by insurance! I haven't gotten one...but perhaps it is something that you can look into.
I've used a light box for 7 years, and it has literally been a life saver--my SAD was that bad. I highly recommend one, you start whenever your seasonal issues start, with a few minutes a day, and gradually work up to about an hour a day.
__________________ -diagnosed 1/2004
-treating with diet and exercise
-mom to 5 furkids, Patrick the greyhound, Gretta and Samantha the rabbits, Sophie and Rosie the guinea pigs, and 4 guinea pigs waiting at the Bridge.
-working on a PhD in American History
Bethann - Can you get it over the counter? Do you know how expensive it is? It would save me a lot of time if I don't have to go through the whole doctor process. lol
You don't need to go through a doctor, although it's possible insurance might cover them now, mine didn't but that was a long time ago. I got mine from http://www.alaskanorthernlights.com/ and it cost a couple hundred, but they might be cheaper now. You want one that's 10,000 lumens and doesn't put out UV light (won't help and is bad for your eyes.) Good luck.
__________________ -diagnosed 1/2004
-treating with diet and exercise
-mom to 5 furkids, Patrick the greyhound, Gretta and Samantha the rabbits, Sophie and Rosie the guinea pigs, and 4 guinea pigs waiting at the Bridge.
-working on a PhD in American History
I have major issues with SAD, and I'm looking into one of those special lights myself. I have huge depression issues on a good day, and living where winter means sunrise at 8am and sunset at 4pm, and where what light there comes through is more like a dimmer? Not so good for the mental health. I'm going to see if my insurance covers it.
I've used a light box for 7 years, and it has literally been a life saver--my SAD was that bad. I highly recommend one, you start whenever your seasonal issues start, with a few minutes a day, and gradually work up to about an hour a day.
I definitely recommend light boxes too!! They are life savers. I'd be back on anti-depressants for sure if it wasn't for this thing!
I went to my doctor today about a bunch of things (love my doctor *hugs him*) and asked him his opinion of light boxes. Y'know those energy-saver bulbs, the ones that are coiled? He said I should find the highest wattage I can (which is 40w, I think) of the sunlight-immitating variety, and get two (=280w). It'll work about the same way as a light box and be much cheaper. That might be enough to make a difference.
We use the 4ft fluorescent light bulbs (most kitchens and garage/workshops have them) for this... we have "daylight" bulbs, and have also used the grow (plants) lights in the fixtures as well. We actually mount the light fixture (hanging one with a cord) about 1 ft away from the window and leave it on. It tricks the eyes into thinking that brighter light is coming from the window. it works quite well and is a cheap way to do the whole house, as I can't stay still that long.
We use the 4ft fluorescent light bulbs (most kitchens and garage/workshops have them) for this... we have "daylight" bulbs, and have also used the grow (plants) lights in the fixtures as well. We actually mount the light fixture (hanging one with a cord) about 1 ft away from the window and leave it on. It tricks the eyes into thinking that brighter light is coming from the window. it works quite well and is a cheap way to do the whole house, as I can't stay still that long.
Thanks! Those are some great ideas!
Thankfully, we've been having some freakishly nice weather for October. We had those couple days of darkness, but I've been OK so far. However, I'm not sure how long the nice weather will last.
I might use your ideas and buy the lamp, too. I work from home at my desk all day, so I'll be able to sit by the lamp for a while with no problem.
Seasonal Affective Disorder? 
