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.

Look Ethel, do you think anyone on here that has a diagnosis and treatment in place hasn't been told all the usual bollocks of going for walks etc etc.

Stop trying to pass yourself of as a fellow sufferer, if a walk and a book helped you, wonderful, please go read them and have a walk, but don't try to ram it down anyone elses throat as a cure all.

What next? Agoraphobics should just pop out? Hoarders should stop buying stuff? Social anxiety sufferers should get out more?
Or should they all read a book too cure them too?

Thank you for this thread OP! It's very comforting.
Can't believe so many people feel as I do!!
Home is my safe place and Winter and bad weather gives me "permission" to stay in.

I feel like this, I had no idea anyone else did.

I know exercise helps. I play sport a couple of times a week. When I am there I am literally counting down the minutes as I am struggling so much, but I know I am worse when I don't do it. I am going on an
organised walk on Sunday.
And yet I spend every day wondering what is the point and feeling down. The only thing that really helps in the moment is watching crappy series on netflix.
I understand I would feel worse without exercise, but my own experience shows it is not a cure all.

This thread is oddly comforting as I used to feel considerably worse in spring/summer - summer in particular - and felt like such a freak for it. Now I’ve kind of tipped the other way and the dark mornings and afternoons can bring me down whereas getting outside first thing in the morning does help my mood. I’ve also started gardening, which is very therapeutic and makes spring and summer much better. Plus, I’ve had a tattoo done to cover up the self harm scars from years ago on my upper arm and I can wear sleeveless clothes (despite my flabby bingo wings) which has had an enormously positive effect on me. Now I don’t have to swelter in cardigans, summer is a lot less torturous. But I feel relieved to think I’m not the only one who sometimes does struggle with the warmer, brighter weather still. We’ve been cheated of a proper winter this year and haven’t had the comforting snug snowed in hibernation period so I don’t feel ready for the spring yet.

I could have written this. I didn't know anxiety peaked in Spring generally. I always feel happiest in September/October looking forward to short days, dark nights. Hate summer.

Stop trying to pass yourself of as a fellow sufferer, if a walk and a book helped you, wonderful, please go read them and have a walk

Stop acting like the thread police, Scorpia.
Take a look at your posts so full of hate including this "Wish they'd all fuck off and die slowly. I actually mean that sincerely" Instead of hiding behind the "illness" of depression, have a look at your own attitude and how that's (dis)colouring your view of the world. Reading a book and reflecting might help you.

have a look at your own attitude and how that's (dis)colouring your view of the world

So what you're saying is, your attitudes colour your view... Like someone who was helped by a walk and a book might think they'll work for everyone?
I see... Thanks is for clarification.

I'm taking ADs, I'm about to start talking therapy that I SELF referred to and I'm trying to take one day at a time

Taking one day at a time is a good approach. Talking therapies are only useful if you listen, look inside yourself and are prepared to make changes - including going for a bloody walk instead of hiding indoors on a pleasant day praying for November!

I often wonder about this and can relate to how you feel. I wonder how we compare to people in Australia and parts of america etc where there isn't the same kind of 'seasons'. If because the warm weather is almost constant there then they don't have to pressure to make the most of it.

There once was man named Paul,
Who went to a fancy dress ball,
He thought he would risk it,
And went as a biscuit,
But a dog ate him up in the hall.

Moral of the story?
Some people, like Paul, are very stupid.
Don't be like Paul.

Oh Scorpia - you really are both the inmate and jailer of that prison of depression you've built, aren't you? (See Dorothy Rowe)

Stop lashing out at me and be kind to yourself

depression you've built

Yup, I made the illness. Like all those other ill people doing it to themselves.
Cancer victims, hiv sufferers and even those folks with the flu, all done I to themselves.

You really don't have any idea do you?

Keep spouting your self help nonsense that helped you through a tough week. When you've lived with it for 40+ years, seen many therapists and at currently under the care of a team of mental health professionals, pop on back, let me know how those books and a nice walk have helped.

Or you could realise your mild depression and anxiety have no bearing on severe versions.

It is true that many people with all sorts of illnesses do not help themselves to get better. This applies to depression as much as cancer.

Can someone tell me why I've had two posts deleted? I've not made any personal attacks so I'm a bit confused?

Can someone tell me why I've had two posts deleted?

For being goady, insensitive, uneducated and downright wrong.

Reverse SAD:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13546925

You don't like what I'm saying, Scorpia, but that doesn't mean I'm any of those things you accuse me of being.

You don't have cancer, hiv or flu. You have a mind that has spent decades trying to destroy you, as did I so don't give me any of that "tough week" nonsense. You have choices. You can take control back from that team of MH professionals and tame your mind.

I'm not going to engage with you further because you are mistaking encouragement for baiting. However, I've shown you the first step (link to life changing book). I wish you well and hope you take it.

encouragement for baiting

Nope, you're "encouragement" is nonsense akin to telling a flu sufferer to take Vitamin C. Mind how you go..

Ethel - you sound like you e suffered from depression yourself. You got better from reading a book apparently. That is marvellous for you. I don’t know how severe your depression was or how it manifested. For some people, reading one book or changing something in their life works. For others, it is noise long uphill debilitating battle. They try everything and anything. They are DESPERATE to be well. Their life is a living nightmare of mental pain which renders them hardly able to get out of bed and have a shower.
Your attitude that you have the answers and everyone who doesn’t accept that your answers (reading a book that worked for you) are somehow obtuse, missing the pint or lazy in some way is grossly unhelpful.
You are completely failing to see or understand that the experiences of others may differ from your own, and the solutions (if there are any) may be different.
Your contributions are unhelpful and upsetting.

Sorry about the typos

I don't particularly suffer from anxiety or depression but I also find myself feeling down during Spring/Summer, I dread it. I feel it's down to loneliness, lots of happy families out together for days out where as its just me, my children and my parents. In the winter I can stay indoors, in my "safe place" and that's fine. When the weather is nice I feel like I have to be out constantly and when I'm at home I'm filled with guilt and sadness.

I dread the light nights it just hits home how lonely I am. No barbeques, garden parties etc like everyone else looks forward too. I love Autumn and Winter, for some reason they make me feel safe and happy.

My 7 year old loves Summer and is out playing with her friends all day long which I'm glad about.