SAD

[irisjoy]

Do you think the reason so many members are feeling so down could be due to seasonal affective disorder ?

[Hidden]

Hi there,

Yes, this is something I have said before. Lets face it we didn't really have a summer ( again) did we! Sunshine is great and the way our bodies make vit D. I think we need to make sure we are taking vits to boost ourselves or..............we all need to move to a warm, hot country I wish

Piggie hugs xxxx

[Ozzygirl64 in reply to Hidden]

If you do that hun you will be leaving me behind, I hate the heat so a lack of summer sunshine did me the world of good lol xxxxx

[jacksie]

I agree with you on that ,miserable days coincide with this miserable fibro,i must say though i went to Tenerife July i think,anyway i was really looking forward to the sun to make me feel better,it had the opposite effect i could hardly walk,i was in more pain than ever,i couldn't wait to get home,whether it was a bad flare up or what don't know.I will find out next month ,i'm going again,see if it was the hot weather or not,i hope not.I shall get a mobility scooter if i'm as bad as last time.yours warmly jacksiex.

[irenegee]

Yes !!!! I bought a Sad's therapy lamp this year as usually by January I'm in a depression and turned into a hermit. so i'm hoping it helps with it, I've also started taking multi vitamins tablets.

[science-bear]

Yes also the weather gets us down not much daylight xx

[science-bear]

Yes also the weather gets us down not much daylight xx

[Hidden]

Some info for those of us who are unaware of SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder -

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern. The episodes of depression tend to occur at the same time each year, usually during the winter.

As with other types of depression, two of the main symptoms of SAD are a low mood and a lack of interest in life. Other symptoms of SAD include:-

feeling irritable

feelings of despair

feelings of guilt and worthlessness

low self-esteem

indecisiveness

tearfulness

feeling stressed or anxious

a reduced sex drive

In addition to the above symptoms you may also:

be less active than normal

feel tired and sleep more than normal (hypersomnia)

feel lethargic (lack energy)

find it difficult to concentrate

have an increased appetite and eat more than usual (hyperphagia)

For many people, SAD can be a difficult condition to live with and it can have a significant effect on your day-to-day life. However, SAD can be successfully treated.

For treatments please click on the link below -

nhs.uk/Conditions/Seasonal-...

[irisjoy in reply to Hidden]

thankyou Liberty Hubby gets outside on every bright day and is much better if we can manage a winter holiday but not this winter i am afraid due to the recession x

[Hidden]

Definately, I have had SAD for years. I was prescribed antidepressants initially, but prefer a more natural approach now as they don't suit me. I now have fibro and underactive thyroid,so feel it more. We are lucky enough to be both retired, so we always have a winter holiday abroad during the winter ( usually January) I am quite happy to holiday in this country during our summer ( whenever that is lol). I haven't tried light therapy, but have heard good reports about them.

[Akasha72]

hi, I was diagnosed with SAD a few years ago and given prozac to combat it. I've wanted to get a SAD lamp for a long time but to get a good quality one it would cost almost £100 and I just don't have that kind of spare cash.

This year I made a mental note that SAD season was coming and decided to get tough with it this year. I'm now slowly getting off the prozac and forcing myself to do things that make me happier. Music is my usual cure for the blues.

I'm not suggesting 'mind over matter' works for all but it's working for me so far.

I don't find the fibro is connected to SAD. I find it's connected to the damp, cold and draughts of winter

[irenegee in reply to Akasha72]

I got mine on ebay new for £42 its worth a look also a few sessions on the sun bed helps.

I don't think it is connected either I've had sad's long before I got fibro but i don't think either helps the other though, it just adds to what we are already dealing with. I should be a solar panel as i love the sun, but I lived in the south of spain for a few years and I still suffered more from both sad's and fibro in the winter

[Ozzygirl64]

My daughter suffers with this and has done for the last three years now. I do not suffer with it as I love the cold, in fact I fnd I am ten times worse in the summer than I am in the winter xxxxx