Does anyone with anxiety/depression find nice weather makes you worse, not better?

[saxatablesalt]

Just that really. I suffer from anxiety and a bit of depression which I guess is mild to moderate. Everyone else I know with this seems to feel miles better when the days get later and the sun comes out but for me it's the opposite.

It's a lovely day outside today, I can see that, I work from home, I've dropped my toddler off at nursery and I could easily go for a walk. I'm curled up on my laptop underneath my duvet feeling paralysed by anxiety and sadness. Feel like I'm surrounded by people feeling happy that it's spring and thinking everyone else should be out and about enjoying it. In winter I have free rein to curl up indoors with tea and a book, and there is no pressure to be outdoors enjoying everything.

Anyone else? I feel like such a shit person as I feel I should just be appreciating my life, who knows how much longer I'll have left on this earth etc etc, but I just feel terrible and I don't know why.

This is just a rant really. I've had all the meds and all the therapy it's possible to have and I still feel like this. I'm only 30 and I've had anxiety literally since I can remember.

I feel down as there is an expectation to do more outdoor things I think. Plus I hate hot weather so if it's another hot summer in the U.K. this year I'll be really down! Other people just do not understand how much I hate it.

Me, me me!!!!
Sorry to sound so over enthusiastic but I have found my people!
A colleague said to me today "supposed to be hot over the weekend, yipee" and I smiled and fakely said "lets hope so" when inside I was screaming no!!!

Just so you all know, Summer SAD is a thing! it exists. I definitely suffer from it. Some of the things that have helped me are...portable air con. I cannot stress how much of a life saver this was to me last summer.
Invest in thick curtains in your bedroom and living room. As the evenings get lighter, pretend it's not happening! Shut your thick curtains at 7pm and stick a lamp on. It does actually help with melatonin production. It also helps to recreate that "cosy" feeling that you miss. People think I'm crazy to do that when it's light outside but I don't care! It works.
Also, be honest. You may find others like you. While we all hide and pretend to be happy about summer we isolate ourselves. I'm not going to tell you all my friends understand totally but they are sympathetic and whilst summer isn't a problem for them they do understand that it is for me.

Take Care OP - as PPs have said May and June are when suicides peak, It's not just you, it's unfortunately a very real phenomenon.

If you have depression the best thing you can do, be it spring, winter or autumn is get outside and WALK! If you miss your hoodie then put on some sun glasses. You don't need to feel pressured into "making the most" of anything - just get some vitamin D and gentle exercise.

Ethel thanks for that insightful piece of advice. Strangely most of us know this but actually getting out of the front door can be really difficult.

Sorry Ethel but people like you get my back up. When hot sun hits my skin it actually hurts. I don't know if it's sensitivity issues or what but it is physically painful. I suffer from bad IBS and I can go out in the winter because I'm wearing jeans etc and if I have an accident it's somewhat hidden. Try having an IBS accident in shorts or a skirt! Not such an appealing prospect. So I could still wear jeans but then I'm going to bake to death. I feel sick and dizzy when it's too hot/sunny. All of these things add to my anxiety. Which then makes it harder to go out in the first place. It's really not as simple as "take a walk".

EthelFechan

Well bend me over and shaft me with a large stick, if only people had known.
That's depression sorted then everyone, let the Drs know.

Oh but wait.. people don't like the sun, the heat, the expected socialising and I despise the people.. where are all those things found? Well fuck, outside...
Might as well have told a lactose intolerant person to eat more cheese...

Scorpia & Asta - I specifically said spring, autumn, winter as I don't like walking in hot weather. You can wear jeans/cut offs and sunglasses and don't have to interact with people though it might do you good to respond in kind if anyone offers a cheery "hello"

I've suffered very badly with depression and anxiety and can assure you that walking is a damn sight better for you than skulking under a duvet with the curtains shut in the day time.

Me. Hate the summer, hate long bright days, last summer was awful for me.

I always welcome the autumn with a sigh of relief. Summer and heat are so brash and in your face.

walking is a damn sight better for you than skulking under a duvet with the curtains shut in the day time.

Are you sure you've had anxiety and depression because I'm not sure you understand the nature of these illnesses and that it's not that people don't 'know' this.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/

Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression isn't a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".

The national health body says it's an illness, you'd best let them know they're wrong.

If you think a 'comfy pair of shoes' is all that's needed to get rid of depression and that it's not an illness - you've never had depression or anxiety.

You have absolutely no idea of how debilitating it is. Debilitating. That's why you can't just 'snap out of it' and trot off for a walk.

My anxiety always peaks I summer. I feel a sense of dread as the nights get lighter and days longer. I don't know why but I feel very vulnerable and exposed. I love walking but am less inclined to have the motivation in summer as my mood lowers and anxiety heightens. I do go out but often panic and feel somehow ',out-of-my depth'.I know this is down to irrational thinking but at the time it's horrendous. In Winter I feel more settled and secure.

I most certainly have suffered depression and anxiety - hence I feel able to comment. I've not said walking is a cure all but it's proven to be a huge help in overcoming depression. Give it a go.

Oh bugger off Ethel with your depression isn't an illness. You clearly have never had a diagnosed mental health illness.

My mental health plummets in the hungry months - March and April...my Vit D levels are fine.

Caught in the cycle of despair a walk round the park ain't gonna cut it unfortunately.
I agree it lifts your mood but first of all you need to be in the right mindset to actually get yourself out there to walk.

Read Dorothy Rowe: Depression - the way out of your prison.

Her writing helped me get over terrible long term anxiety and depression. I realised it wasn't an illness and ditched the pills. People are so attached to the idea that they are ill that they lose their agency and can't even summon the energy to go for a walk on a spring day.

Oh my god ,op ,I had never given this a thought before,but yes this is me ,it's awful ,just awful.i always dread January.i thought because Xmas had gone.but no it's because of the warm weather coming..I go to bed as soon as I've cooked everyone's tea and cleaned up.usually 6.30 pm...( I'm not sleeping just hiding and going on my tablet)when it's dark it's ok .when it's light people are outside like it's the afternoon,I feel worse like I'm missing out on so much life...but each day I actually get through to 6.30 is a bonus..I'd love to not go to bed at 6.30 and take the dog out for a walk instead ,but I just can't

I don’t myself but I can get the sort of guilt feeling of I should be out every single evening it’s nice out but like there is only so many walks and coffees you can go for in the summer nights isn’t there...
I agree about the winter your sort of feel I’m allowed to be curled up in bed reading and relaxing. Iv loved this winter and I usually get down in the winter months I didn’t this year but I’m guessing it’s cos we got a good long warm summer last year and I’m hoping it will be the same this year.
But like when I get home from work my back does be broke I like to lie down on the bed and before you know it the nights over haha