November always brings pain. Seasonal depression anyone?

[Against_the_current]

The days are shorter and we switched to winter time so they're even shorter out of a sudden. All years November and December are terrible. Crying without a reason and constant Anxiety

[Attaloss01]

Yes A_T_C. I do get seasonal depressive anxiety since I lost my spouse of 30 years. I have 2 supportive daughters and my grandsons but it doesn't always help.

I think the problem is that my mind goes over all the past Christmases where I had my family at home or the magical Christmases of childhood. I have started re creating Christmas with starting new little traditions that don't remind me so much of Christmas past. I by myself a couple if gifts and I ACTUALLY ask a couple of friends to buy me something inexpensive and wrap it up. They are happy to do it. Plus gifts from my daughters I get a week early and put them under the tree. I bought a new tree even. It's my " new Christmas". Yes I still feel some sadness but I select a cheesy Christmas movie I've never seen or something unrelated to Christmas and distract myself. I have a couple of friends who also have anxiety issues over for a few hours. A new tradition. We tell jokes and have my special punch. Some treats. Anything that is new. Not like the past. It might help you. It takes some repeated effort but it helps!

[Against_the_current in reply to Attaloss01]

Yeah, somethimes it's not easy to let go of the past. I was at hospitals exactly for Christmas and im a Grinch myself. But i guess i can find something nice to do

[Attaloss01 in reply to Against_the_current]

Well it doesn't always work. If nothing else, keep talking and reaching out. Maybe it would be easier to just forget Christmas this year. Or any year. Maybe order yourself in some chinese food and watch a non Christmas movie ... or sleep. Anything to help you thru the day. What have you done in the past that has helped? Hugs

[CLB1125]

Yes we are the same here. November through March where I live is dark early and cloud covered every day plus windchills into the-30s. It’s very depressing. There’s a name for it -SAD,

Seasonal affective disorder occurs in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year.

[Against_the_current in reply to CLB1125]

Yes, exactly. I get the big SAD, it's sad

[Attaloss01 in reply to CLB1125]

Yes, I live in Alberta, Canada. I use my S.A.D light for an hour each norning and take 2000mg vit D daily. But those months are still hard!!

[Against_the_current]

Thanks

[Thurlesy]

Hi there, I'm glum all year round! But I have a very good friend who is like you, and finds the winters very hard. She has two teenage daughters who are the same. She was able to source light bulbs on Amazon that mimicked daylight (like the SAD lightboxes) and put them all over her house.she said they made a big difference, particularly to her daughters. Might be worth reading up on it. I also find getting out for some fresh air early jn the day helpful. Hang in there 😊

[SoporRose]

AtC,

You might be able to get a special seasonal light from your therapist or doctor. Some of those lights have limits on how long people should use them. But I agree with the others that they are worth a try!

[SayNOtoPanic]

Ughhh time change is horrid in the winter time. It’s like early morning it’s dark early afternoon it’s dark. Def doesn’t help mental health. Hang in there you are not alone. Hug.

[Turnipgirl]

Yesterday after my interview I was in Newport Town and all of a sudden heavy rain came pouring down!

I did get to swimming afterwards in the afternoon even in the heavy rain and the bus home was late and I was swearing!

[dutchgirl71]

Yes! November is my least favorite month!!

[Arymretep]

I hate this time of the year and the dark nights, and can’t wait for the Spring to come, 👍