Please chat to me about Seasonal Affective Disorder - sunbeds? Need drastic help!

[aspies]

I suffer from severe S.A.D and at this point I'm struggling to help myself. I know eating protein and soup and healthy stews would help. I know getting out for long walks in nature would help. I'm struggling to do anything that helps and sinking further and further downhill. This morning I woke up and ate 5 of the kids' Kit Kats for breakfast!

I don't seem to tolerate anti depressants anymore. The last few times I've tried the interference with my sleep just made everything even worse. So I'm not going to try again.

I can't afford an abroad holiday.

Can sunbeds help if used safely? What easy steps can I take this week to get me out of this hell?

Thanks to anyone who chimes in!

I feel like a bit of a stuck record but I am just seeking some solidarity.......... my soul is sinking at the end of sun and blue skies and the onset of grey, Winter cometh and I already feel down and am making plans for a winter sunshine hol.

It's the grey that does it for me. I could cope with some cold for a few months if it came with blue skies.

:(

Same here. I felt it come on this last week, like a dark cloud over my head :( I tried red light therapy and infra red sauna last week, felt amazing after but effects were temporary. Think I would need to be doing it every day!

Sunbeds are really dangerous and have nothing whatsoever in common with SAD light boxes and daylight bulbs for your ordinary lights. A childhood friend of mine used to love her sunbed, then about 10 years ago, aged 50, had to have a golf ball sized chunk cut out of her leg to remove a cancerous mole. She was back and forth for skin grafts and check ups for 2 years. She was told it was almost certainly caused by using the sun bed.

My mental health is quite bad most of the time but I dread October and wish I could hibernate until spring.
Anti depressants can be very hit-and-miss and you need to find one that suits. It's difficult because you need to get the dosage right as well. They can take the edge off when right.
Peri meno can also make things worse. My anxiety is through the roof with peri!

I am also peri and that is bad enough but now, with the end of the pretend summer we had, I feel like an unfocussed, anxious, weepy shadow of my former self. I am trying (routine, lamp, healthyish diet, finding some nice things to do that get me out etc) and will continue to do so but.............................. I share your pain, I really do. Some people just do not get it and I have had many flippant remarks from people who seem to think I am odd, whining about a bit of rain or just want a holiday so it's good to share here.

God I hate this time of year, the grey soggy miserable endless days. Bedtime is getting earlier just to escape

Hi OP,

I suffer from SAD and always have. I also eat chocolate for breakfast. The best Winter I have ever had was when I ran 5km 3 times a week all Winter, it made a HUGE difference. There are lots of studies showing that exercise is as effective as antidepressants. Also, avoiding processed food and eating lots of vegetables helps mood significantly.

It's so annoying to hear these recommendations when you're feeling crappy, but I know from experience that they work for me. I just forget and have to force myself to start them again when I'm down.

How's your fitness, could you put on an upbeat song you like and march on the spot for a few mins twice a day?