Anyone with experience of SAD?

[Quasimojo]

I have had an on-going problem with depression for years and have been on and off ADs for the best part of 15 years now. I have always put it down to my inability to cope with life tbh, I am something of a stress monster.

Now, I noticed a long time ago that I am bad in April, sometimes May too. I have often wondered why then.

But the last few years I have realised that actually I start going down hill in early January. By March I feel pretty bloody shite, which can then carry on for a good couple of months after that. This is despite already being on ADs too.

So, does this follow a SAD pattern? I always assumed that if you had SAD you would be suffering by November perhaps, not so late on in the season as I seem to.

Thanks for any thoughts or experiences.

Hi. I have had SAD since I was about 18 but it took several years to work out what was going on. I tend to start getting low around November but my mood doesn't hit rock bottom until Feb/March. I find the first few bright days (this week - yay!) are enough to lift my mood again very quickly.

Is there anything else that could be happening every year? - birthdays, anniversaries, work schedules etc.

If you think it is SAD it would certainly be worth getting hold of a lightbox. I have used mine for 5 years now and it definitely helps but does take some commitment to use every day.

No obvious anniversaries or issues this time of year I dont think. And I am really slow to come up again, a few bright days doesnt bring relief tbh.

How much time do you spend in front of your light box TCTM?

I have been wondering if I am suffering with this, so will be interested in any views/advice.

I have suffered from mild depression over the past few years here and there. This winter I have felt downright miserable although not with the big black cloud over me like I usually get. I have been overwhelmingly tired, I wake up with a knot in my stomach and feelings of fear and anxiety. Once I get up it's a bit better but I have no enthusiasm or energy and often just want to sit, stare into space and cry.

I have a new LED box which I use for 15 mins a day but probably need to use more if I'm honest. My old fluorescent tube lightbox took 40mins/day.

Quasi - where do you live? I'm in Scotland and have to use my lightbox from about Sept time through to March - starting to feel much more lively now that the sun has been out for a few days! Jan/Feb time is normally the worst for me as Vit D levels stored from summer have been depleted by then.

My SAD action plan is: use lightbox on work desk as much as possible from Sept (not past 6pm in case it affects my sleep). Vit D tablets daily and a holiday in the sun at the end of Sept. So far it seems to really help.

My symptoms have also been exhaustion and low mood - feeling like I'm in a fog - so probably not as severe as how you feel. Hope that helps though!

I have SAD, as does my sister.s, but find it kicks in around February usually. The 2 years I've spent part of the winter in a sunny clime, the depression/bleakness/loss of concentration has been radically better.

My lightbox helps - I stick it on my desk while I'm working for a few hours, or in the corner of the room I'm in. I also find that getting outside regularly (walking, cycling etc) helps too. Whilst I definitely feel brighter on a bright day, I don't think the effect lasts, so having a couple of things I know will reduce my symptoms (lightbox and exercise outside) is helpful for me. (I've never had to use ADs so my symptoms are probably milder than yours.)

In my experience it's cumulative and so the pattern you describe sounds quite likely that SAD could be a factor.

Thanks for all the replies, thats interesting. Im in the south west Ultimate; your action plan sounds good. Tho I do walk the school run so spend a good hour and a half outside every day anyway. But Im sure the more the better. I think I may well look into a light box.

Well, I have been to the docs and she went thro my notes and sure enough, it turns out I am as regular as clockwork in terms of going down hill this time of year. Almost down to the same week! Can't believe I have never really clicked this before. She agrees it is SAD, has upped my ADs (again!) as an interim measure and suggested I get a lightbox asap.

I feel quite relieved, I always thought I just wasn't coping with life, when perhaps there was no way of coping better without actually treating the SAD.

Ahh good to know you've discovered a pattern. For what it's worth, I think although SAD is a pita, there are lots of things you can do to reduce its effect (bugger off to Australia in the winter being my number 1 choice, of course, but failing that, the lightbox is worth a shot.)

Does any body know if there's a link between low vitamin D and depression?

Sorry, I phrased that wrong, I mean does anybody know if vit d supplements could help relieve SAD?

These symptoms sound like me. How does a lightbox help?

I did ask about vit D Jareth and the GP sighed and said its the latest 'thing' in the media! That said she is doing blood tests to be thorough, including vit D levels, so I'll let you know if anything comes up. Like you, I had heard there was a potential link between low levles and depression.

IHBG -I don't know much about the light boxes beyond googling for info - the idea is it 'replaces' the lack of natural light during dark months which, if you have SAD, can relieve symptoms. I hope. I have already bought one, Im so fed up of feeling so low.

Can anyone recommend where to get a lightbox from?

IHate - I have one, I just read the recommendations from a SAD website site then googled all of them, then just picked the one that seemed to suit me best.
www.sada.org.uk/