SAD/ feeling low in winter support thread

[LadyCatStark]

Hi all, after reading some unhelpful comments on another thread where someone is struggling, I wondered if anyone would like to join me in a SAD support thread for anyone who is feeling low now that winter is coming, whether you have a SAD diagnosis or not.

Disclaimer: I know anyone can post anything they like on a public forum but please, out of respect for those of us who are really struggling, don’t come on this thread to tell us how much you love winter, hygge, snuggling, hot chocolate or twinkly lights or tell us that we’ll feel better if only we change our mindset.

Please feel free to share your feelings, good or bad, tell us about your day or share tips for things that help (or don’t). Hopefully we can all help each other get through this winter!

Interesting last paragraph! Was trying to recommend a giant heated slipper!

If I’m too warm it makes me sleepy. I think I’d struggle to concentrate if I was cosy.

Wow @ShaneTheThird well done to your DH and the NHS!

I’ve started my Christmas shopping on a bid to cheer me up. Parcels have been arriving all week which is exciting but also a bit depressing as Christmas isn’t the same now DS is 12. I’m pretending the puppy will have a clue what’s going on and planning his first Christmas 😂 can I put the tree up yet?

These dark nights are awful! It feels like the day is over by 5pm.

He isn't home and is flipping out his stress is through the roof and he's telling me he is walking out without his medication now as they are keeping him in. I'm so stressed out by him.

Oh god yes it's November! The time where Xmas is coming and adverts start. The house is absolutely Baltic and fireworks are everywhere tonight.

@ShaneTheThird bless you. I hope he calms down. If he does discharge himself, there is nothing you can do. It is completely up to him and he alone accepts the consequences. It is very distressing for you (and from my own experience, it felt selfish to me).

Urgh there’s another ‘cosy’ thread in AIBU…

It’s blowing a gale here and raining and I desperately need to take the dog out. He’s currently napping so I’m putting it off but we’re going out for dinner tonight for my mum’s 60th birthday and so he needs to have had a good walk.

Tonight’s official fireworks have been cancelled which is a shame as we were looking forward to them.

Oh no why were fireworks cancelled? Because of the weather? It's freezing rainy and windy here but everyone around here sets them off anyway. I tried to watch last night but wasn't in the mood. Hoping do can come home tonight but no word from him yet. They told him yesterday he could go home until the evening when a nurse actually laughed and told him they had forgotten to tell him he couldn't come home yet. That was the cause of his explosion. He has been diagnosed agoraphobia and anxiety and wants to be home with me. Is a waiting game now. And the fact the weather is miserable hasn't helped at all. I'm at a loss with it all at the moment.

And AHH fuck them cosy bastards

at ‘fuck the cosy bastards’

Sorry you’re still having a shit time.

Maybe a scented candle would help

Dp is home! Is nice to just be laying in bed watching boring documentaries with him. Is bloody freezing tonight! I got him new PJ's and have taken yet another day off work tomorrow but I'm not complaining too much .

@ShaneTheThird so glad he’s home!

Yes they were cancelled because of “high winds” but it’s not really windy 😂. Never mind, we had an awesome meal for my mum’s birthday and I felt amazing in my dress, which is a new feeling for me. It can only be the Sertraline giving me a bit of self esteem!

Can we please call the next thread 'Fuck the cosy bastards' 🤣?

@UnfinishedBunting sure 😂 how do you know when you need a new thread?

I think threads can only go up to 1,000 posts, so we're nearly halfway there.

Oh we’re fine then, I can’t see how many posts we’re up to (or I’m not looking in the right place!).

I'm normally freezing but going through menopause so these days I'm either boiling or freezing. My thyroid levels were abnormal but I'm borderline, so nothing was ever done. I've always had trouble with my moods and tiredness in winter so I use a SAD lamp. I'm terrible at remembering to charge myself up with the light or take vitamin D. I normally hit a low point before I have a 'doh' moment and start treating myself.

I'm sure I read an article about how many women suffer thyroid issues that are never properly addressed with GPs. Is scandalous actually.

I keep forgetting to take my vitamins which I'm going to need to as I'm going to have to keep working 6 days a week plus all cooking, shopping and housework and looking after dp for the next 3 months. Retail at Christmas will be fun! I absolutely cannot get Ill.

How was everyone's bonfire night? Apart from cancelled fireworks which is a bloody shame.

I don’t really do bonfire night anymore. We have dogs so haven’t been in the habit of going out. The kids are teens so it’s not something we’re involved in now.

I am in incredible pain after doing a long run today. I’ve paid my daughter to be my PA for the next 24 hours. She’s quite pleased with the arrangement. DH is home tomorrow so will pick up the slack tomorrow.

Before I left the house This morning I was unable to open my new pot of vitamin D. I needed to get scissors and I didn’t have time. I was out all day in the sunlight moving so hopefully will have got my fix!

Really helpful to read that SAD lamps and taking vitamin D has helped a few of you Got both on order and hoping they'll help get me through the winter months. Went for a daylight craft lamp rather than the rectangular lights, so it might not be quite as effective, but at least I can sit and sew whilst I try to kid myself it's nice summer's day!

Don't know if anyone else is finding this year especially bad? I work in a customer facing role and it feels like people are even more dickish and demanding right now. I dread to think what next month is going to be like.

I went for a run in the sunshine. I'm counting the days down until the winter solstice.

I wish we didn't do this clock changing thing.

The clocks changing are just awful aren’t they?

I’ve been asleep this afternoon. I’ll probably pay for that later!

My mood has been ok but I’m bracing myself for a crash now I’m injured and can’t run

@DistrustfulDinosaur I work 2 retail jobs and I have noticed the last month people are being ruder and ruder. Not sure what that's about!

I don’t work in retail but I think the pandemic has caused people to forget their social (and driving!) skills.

Oh no @PinkStink how did you injure yourself?

I’ve been sticking to my cross trainer since the clocks went back but I can feel my right knee starting to twinge so I’m being careful because I don’t want to have to rest it 🤞.

I keep forgetting to take my vitamins too, maybe we need a daily reminder 😂.

I have done 'something' to my knee. It's agony!

Rest is helping though so I'm hoping to recover alright.

@ShaneTheThird - I'm finding so many customers are being rude about delivery times taking longer than normal at the moment. If we mail out an order first class it's often taking two to three working days rather than one right now and it absolutely blows some people's minds. I'm struggling to think of polite and professional responses to these people who seem so blissfully oblivious to what's happening in the world around them.

@LadyCatStark you make a good point about people having forgotten how to interact with others. I'm about to get my car back on the road after a year of not driving and am already dreading it!

@PinkStink hope your knee feels better soon!

@LadyCatStark ah yes we should have a daily vitamin reminder.