Every fucking winter it's the same

[fuzzpig]

S.A.D. I guess although I've never officially been diagnosed, as I have numerous MH issues anyway. But it is always, always worse pretty much as soon as the clocks change in October, and then a downhill spiral.

I'm so fucking sick of it. I've worked damn hard this year, doing as much as I can to help myself - I have psychological therapy as well as occupational therapy at an excellent clinic because as of a couple of years ago I have a physical disability as well.

I made so much progress, getting more balance in my life and getting the house sorted, and actually starting to feel genuinely happy only for it all to fall apart again because of the weather FFS. Once again I just want to hide away.

I have tried everything I can think of, a proper SADlight did nothing except headaches and I take vitamin D (but am not deficient according to blood tests) and can't increase my ADs (complicated reasons to do with physical illness)

AAAAARGH

I am sorry this season exacerbates your feelings OP, I don't suffer with depression but I have quite severe anxiety which isn't helped by weather tbh. My FIL (great guy) suffers with depression and seems to get it worse this time of year. He wakes up and keeps the curtains shut and won't put lights on and I feel terrible for him. I can only suggest focusing on the good parts of this season, Christmas (if you celebrate), the possibility of light snow on hills (very pretty) ... that doesn't seem the least bit helpful I am afraid but please know you aren't alone :) x

Does being wrapped up warm and spending more time outside help at all?

I once read something that said we should aim to spend 40 minutes a day outside in fresh air and natural light in order to help combat SAD

I take 20mg Prozac every day from mid September until the start of April which keeps the worst of the horrors away. Gp has agreed this strategy after have massive , debilitating slumps in mood in October every year. I even od'd twice in my teens at this time of year but only made the sad connection 2 years ago.

My other strategy is to exercise at least 5 days a week. If I don't get out and down the gym by 11am I'm incredibly sluggish for the rest of the day. I only have the 2 rest days because otherwise my body falls apart. Could be tricky depending on your disability but anything that gets the heart rate up helps.

Can you get access to a sauna through gym or local pool? Sometimes laying in there for an hour with my eyes closed imagining that I'm on a hot sunny beach helps.

Sorry if that's not much use. I really feel for you, it's miserable. I used to feel that I only ever got to enjoy half of the year.

Thanks for all the replies.

I do need to try and get outside every day. I went through years of agoraphobia and it is all too easy to slip back into it. I do work but minimal hours because of my physical health, and tend to just crash on days off.

I do feel a bit lighter in mood today because I took the DCs into town after school and they played in the park, it was nice and chilly/refreshing (I don't like it too hot in summer either ), but the trade off is that I am in a huge amount of pain because physically I pushed myself too much :(

40 mins sounds doable though (sadly the gym, particularly cardio, is a far off dream ATM) - I need to be better for my DCs, they miss out on so much. No garden so when with me (especially on weekends if DH is working) they are stuck indoors because I'm too unwell to travel further than the front door

Sorry for the whinge it is good to talk though, thanks all