To ask if any of you have SAD?

[Shamedandconfused]

Just posting for some advice. I fled DV last week and I’m in the process of starting my new life. Everything has had to be on the back burner during this long abusive relationship so now I’m trying to put everything right.

Just wondering if any of you have any experience with seasonal affective disorder as I struggle every year. It hasn’t bothered me too much whilst in the relationship as the abuse was always at the forefront of my mind. But now Im determined that I’m not spending my first winter free being consumed by SAD.

if anyone has suffered with it do you have any recommendations as I’m not wanting tablets

Congrats on getting out OP. I'm sorry you went through that.

No, I don't believe I have ever had SAD. Last year I did buy a lamp from amazon for MIL- who worships the sun and feels far more achy in the winter months. She felt better using it. Have you ever tried a lamp?

Yes I think I do, try a lamp or speak to the dr if it's gets too bad

Yes I suffer every year.

Things that help. I have the lamp and work in front of it so have it on all day.

I do a yoga or body balance class every morning. Force myself out of bed at 7 so I can do it before work. I have a Les Mills app and do it at home.

I take vitamins D, B, also 5 htp.

I try to go on holiday either October half term, between Christmas and New year or February half term to somewhere sunny.

W/r to the lamp is it the specific SAD lamps? I was tempted but £70 is a lot to spend if it’s no good

im gonna look into vitamins actually!

Yes mine is many years old and has lasted well. It must be about 10 years old. Never had to change the bulb which I am now astounded at.

Congratulations on your new life!! :) I hope you have a safe and happy winter. Well done for getting out and away from him, and I hope your life is full of good people from now on.

The best thing I've found for winter blues is curcumin with bioperine. I'm not always sure whether or not the vitamins or supplements I take actually do anything, but I really notice the difference when this one runs out! It keeps me happy and on top of things.

Are you far away from your ex? Getting outdoors every day - even in weak winter sunshine - is a good mood-lifter. I hope you're somewhere you feel you can do that safely. It's so good that you're free!

Yes. I use a Lumie lamp - make sure you declare you have SAD and you'll get it VAT free. www.lumie.com/products/vitamin-l - this is the best one I've had - the Zest lamp was nowhere near as good and is much better. I've already started using it as I often have a dip in early November when I realise I'm already unwell, so I'm trying to avoid it this year.

I also take Vitamin D and St John's Wort and this is the most stable I've been in years.

I get SAD OP. I'm not sure what would help you, but I would say try not to be resistant to medication if your GP thinks it might help.

I resign myself to the fact that for 6 months of the year I will struggle with my mood so I just go with it and do what I need to do to stave off depressive episodes. For me that means allowing myself to hibernate as much as possible and not feel guilty about about being less sociable. It is important for me to accept the situation and keep in mind that the days will get longer and brighter around the time of my birthday.

Family, friends and colleagues know that I struggle during winter months which helps. Also being able to work from home for the last couple of years has really helped as I can get up a bit later when it's lighter and don't need to be travelling back and forth to work in the dark. My SAD hasn't developed into depression since 2019 which has been great for me.

Not sure I'm being very helpful here, but different people have different coping mechanisms, I hope you find yours 🌼

Definitely get one of the lumie lamps.

I have one and use it with a timer plug so it comes on first thing mimicking an earlier sunrise. There are specific sunrise lamps but I wanted/needed the 10,000 lux.

I am fortunate to have travelled quite a lot, depending on the latitude sunrise time can vary a lot. Regardless of the season the time of sunrise makes a real difference to when I naturally wake up.