Bring On The Sunshine - how about a S.A.D. Support Thread?

[FreudianSlippery]

Hi all - I'm just wondering how many other MNers are struggling as winter sets in. I thought we could share tips on how to cope.

I've not been diagnosed with SAD (no point as have suffered with depression anyway) but it's always far worse in winter.

So, this year I've decided to embrace my difficulties and accept they are part of who I am. And therefore I'll be better prepared!

I'm using my LED light, and taking vitamin D, C and iron. Have also upped my dose of sertraline.

Anyone else want to join so we can help each other through the winter?

hiya, I suffer awfully with my depression in the winter

I have a sunrise alarm clock (haven't set it up on my nedside table yet but just seen the other thread where you mentioned starting this one and am panickng about thre clocks chnaging so will sort that

I take a mulitvitamin effervescent thing once a day

should I take extra iron?

I'm in, both me and DH struggle. We've got a cheap lightbox thing which kind of helps, otherwise we are relying on our usual anti-depressants.

Been a bad couple of days for us due to the grey weather. Dreading winter really setting in.

It's horrible isn't it, mornings are the worst for me. Last year I noticed a change in mood as soon as the clocks changed.

I'm trying to decide whether to take my light on holiday.

RE the iron - I'm only taking it as I've been anaemic in the past, and the GP said it was ok to take them. The most important one is vitamin D though - not just the token amount in a multivitamin, but a proper supplement, as you mostly get it from sunlight. I take a chewable one from Boots 3x a day.

I'm on a diet too (nothing extreme as I'm BFing) so I'm hoping that the winter doesn't make me turn to comfort food!

I think it'll help that DD is at preschool now, so like it or not I HAVE to go out every weekday.

After struggling with depression on and off for 13 years it has only recently occurred to me that it has been seasonal. Duh!

Went and bought Vitamin D today - have not been tested for deficiency but as I never seem to see any sunlight I am pretty sure it wont hurt to take it.

I wonder if sunbeds help any? I have depression and it's always worse in winter. It's sunny today so feeling not too bad :) I have a sunrise alarm (but a 3m/o so not much use at mo), a lamp thingy I guess I should put infront of PC... hmm....

i've never been officialy 'diagnosed' but i do know that short days, dark evenings and mornings all affect my mood. i look at lightboxes every year but haven't got around to getting one yet. must also start taking muti-vitamin as well which i discovered helped last year.
all hints and tips welcome!

I suffer from SAD too, only realised it was this in the last couple of years.

I got a sunrise alarm clock from Avon (£15) and it helps an awful lot. I also take Vit D.

It really helps me if I get adequate sleep. Most nights I'm in bed by 7.30pm, asleep by 9pm. I need a good 10 hours sleep per night in order to wake up the next morning and be able to face the day.

I often wish I could hibernate like a little furry animal until winter is over! Imagine what it must be like to live in Scandinavian countries - it must be hell :(

How's everyone doing? I had a great holiday, the weather in Spain was amazing. Didn't bother with my light. Bit of a shock getting back to Gatwick in the rain

Have been good with the sertraline but keep forgetting about the other vitamins, must be more disciplined!

I think I feel it worse with weather as well I am in Scotland so it mainly cold and damp (and we have very short days)

Only 7 weeks till the shortest day (sunrise 8:46 sunset 15:44 6h 58m 39s of daylight) then it will get better

I've been hearing talk about switching to European time, don't much understand it but I wonder how it would affect those with SAD?