Anyone suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder?

[prolesunited]

The days are getting so short again and I feel myself slipping into that pattern of going to bed much earlier than usual. I even had to take a nap last weekend. During the summer, I'm fine on five or six hours of sleep a night and I'm running morning until late at night on the weekends.

Carbohydrate cravings also are driving me nuts as well. I've been on a high-protein soy-based diet for the past few months so I had already them tamed, or so I thought. I have avoided really indulging them, but the intensity of the cravings make it difficult.

Although I've had the blues with this before, I'm not feeling that now — just physical manifestations — but it may be too early for that to set in yet.

So, anyone else starting down this path? What strategies have you found effective for countering this? I HATE turning into a hibernating bear during winter. BTW, I live in Chicago, so it's cold and gray much of the winter.

[Nikia]

1. Probably

I am less happy and have less energy in the winter than the summer. I live even further north than you do. I go to work early in the morning and have maybe an hour of sunlight when I get home. Winter is something I endure. I always feel much better around March or April.

[mdmc]

3. Depression sufferers

like myself feel better in the winter. Perhaps you could use light therapy like one of the charictures on Northern Exposure did.

[Catfish]

2. Maybe

I hate the short days and feel sort of blue, blah, lethargic through the winter. I try to get out and walk everyday but it's hard when it's so cold. Getting some exercise is my best bet, even if it's at the gym.

[BiggJawn]

4. Dark when I leave for work, dark when I leave for home....Bleah!

And I work in the basement. It's a wonder I don't turn into a suicidal alcoholic like a lot of people who live in the Arctic do...
I won't be worth shit for anything until around the vernal equinox. and that includes riding the hamster wheel.

[caledesi]

5. Move to Florida or some other semi-tropical state. Did it for me!

I definitely was afflicted w/ SAD and couldn't believe the difference after moving to Florida. Sun ALL the time.

[bandy]

6. and how I hate Fla.

it's so hot in summer I hibernate. I pray for cold weather when we can turn off the AC. I long for winter days and a fire in the fire place! What is wrong with me? If not for my kids and Grandaughter I's be living in No. GA or No. Caroline right now, maybe?

[JitterbugPerfume]

7. yes ! Iget all depressed

when days get short. I aim to be grumpy till April , probably May-- Hell, I just might stay grumpy People leave me alone when I growl at 'em

[prolesunited]

12. My only hope is moving!?!

That seems rather drastic.

[sweetheart]

8. Yes, have you gotten a light?

I'm getting one of those lights this year... Though i live further south than alaska, not much further... and at this lattitude, it looks like perpetual sunset for those short days...

Like you say, i end up with long naps, tired more, fatter and craving pasta and french fries.

They say that by january, your body exhausts its supply of vitamin "D" the one from sunlight, which makes the latter part of winter even worse for a SAD sufferer.

I'm gonna try to exercise more this year, but when the depression gets heavy, i just sorta give up and sleep like a bear. Perhaps with a house of lights-on-timers i can fake my body out in to thinking its light... we'll see.

Have you heard of any nutritional ways to combat SAD?

[southerngirlwriter]

18. Light therapy has been MIRACULOUS for me.

I sit in front of my light therapy box for about 75 minutes in the morning, either reading, writing, praying, making a to-do list, or doing some other start-the-day type thing. EXTREMELY effective.

[izzie]

9. No but I had an animal dis order yesterday. Does that count?

My little yappy dog woke me at 3 in the morning backing. and untill 9 last night he kept it up ever 110 min or so, and I was almost a basket case.

[prolesunited]

10. Get a cat

They are much quieter. :-)

[sweetheart]

11. solution: 2 dogs

The little doggie wants your attention... if you get her/him a friend, they'll play together and be jolly good mates.... and you'll be able to sleep. I've experienced both single doggyhood and double... and the latter is actually much less stress for the owner as they have fun whether or not you are round to be there... and even better if you are.

[RainDog]

13. maybe EFAs (omega 3s) can help

SAD has also been connected to the bipolar spectrum...not unipolar depression, fwiw.

strangely, but my doc put me on an anti-d and since then I have craved carbs like crazy and gained 20 lbs in the space of half a year and that makes me feel depressed because I don't like the way I look, which makes me want to hibernate...so it's all a vicious circle.

One proven way to help some people with bipolar disorder, which may work for people with SAD is essential fatty acids, which you can buy as capsules at any place which sells vitamins.

You can google essential fatty acids and read about this; my doctor has also confirmed that the studies were legit.

you have to take them three times a day, and you have to take quite a bit of it...this is not advice...you should ask your doc, but I think it's something like 3000 mg three times a day.

Flaxseed oil comes in 1000mg gelcaps. It supposedly helps to lower triglyceride levels and to lower blood cholesterol...but you should check with your doc, of course.

You are not supposed to take EFAs in the form of fishoil if you're diabetic, so I hear.

[prolesunited]

17. I already take

flaxseed oil caps to help keep my cholesterol in check. Couldn't hurt to take a couple more. Thanks!

[Hillsey]

14. No, I don't think so, not yet. I think I postponed it

by vacationing in California for a couple weeks. It honestly does not feel like December yet to me. (Except when I let the dog out - it's COLD out!)

I never go out anyway. I'm a grinch. I went out yesterday and gassed up the car, bought enought smokes and goceries to last me till after the holidays. I don't even like to venture out for toothpaste in the festive atmostphere.

BUH HUMBUG!

I have cookies!

[JohnKleeb]

15. No but a lot of y'all think I have it

With my stressed out post I made last week.

[hobbes159]

16. Suffered from it for years.

Light therapy is extremely effective. Get yourself a lightbox and use it every day! I've also replaced all my house lighting with full spectrum bulbs and flourescents, which helps a lot too....