Taking ADs for seasonal depression

[whatisforteamum]

I'm considering taking the meds I've been prescribed as I get quite badly depressed in the winter.
I feel fantastic in the spring onwards.
Is it possible to take them just for the winter months or are they just for all yr use.
I don't want my creativity dampened down.

Anyone

I take sertraline all year round but they double my dose from 50mg to 100mg about October so it should be fine for you to just take them over winter, you may just have to come off them slowly in spring.

Thank you.just fed up of feeling so different in the winter.

I feel you! Especially with the non-summers we’ve had for the past 2 years 😭. Just a heads up, I post a SAD thread on the mental health board every autumn for support for those of us who suffer in winter. Actually, last years is still going as it’s been so miserable 🙈.

Thank you.I was still a bit depressed recently with the grey weather.
It literally drains my life out of me.
Equally I don't want to be numb as I need my energy and creative spark.

I have done it in the past and would do it again if needed, just make sure to taper off them slowly when it's time to stop.

Did they make you feel as happy as the summertime lolaj87

Honestly probably not, but they gave me a leg up.

I just take mine all year round as I am unable to come off them or even reduce them. I think I’m in the minority with this, but some people do get affected in this way (being unable to reduce or withdraw).
to be honest I don’t really care anymore. I need the medication and it has given me back my life. I get SAD almost every winter, but I am “a depressive” in general, so I can still get depressed at other times of years too. But the winters used to destroy me.

Interesting boho.
A health visitor said I was mildly depressed all the time when I had post natal depression.
I do feel like a switch is flicked when spring comes though.
Better since I take vit d

I used to do October to April though the first time I did 18 months Jan to July roughly. I don't think I was happy all year but I couldn't cope at all in winter.

Where can I find the thread? Really feeling awful

@coco111 here you go:

Hey nothing was attached?

I seem to remember that most studies suggest ADs don't help for pure SAD. They might help for ongoing depression though which sounds like what you've got if you've already been prescribed them.

@coco111 if you click on the big Mumsnet picture on my post it takes you to the thread 😊.

I've got schizoaffective with tendency for severe depression in winter.(SAD type) And had success the last couple of years with taking vortioxetine from September onwards.

Antidepressants don't affect energy & creativity etc. No one with severe depression will have energy or creativity anyway!!