seasonal depression

United States
February 1, 2007 1:42pm CST
I suffer from seasonal depression. Where you get more depressed during certain seasons of the year. My worst season is winter time because everything is always so gray. There isn't any beautiful plants or green, and the sky is rarely blue... my best are spring and fall. What about you? Is there a certain time of year that your depression hits the hardest? Why?
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United States
2 Feb 07
Yes you suffer from seasonal affective disorder. I suffer with it as well. Even with medication and therapy, I'd still land in the hospital because I wanted to end my misery. I find that getting a lamp that simulates sunlight has helped me out a great deal. You sit under the lamp for an hour everyday. It's well worth the investment. I can't wait for Spring and Summer. Good luck to you!
• United States
2 Feb 07
I have heard about this lamp thing before, a friend of mine's mother uses the technique... Maybe I will have to try it... thank you for the response.
• United States
3 Feb 07
We tried to paint our house in light colors... and although there is some clutter, it isn't bad! Part of it, I think, is that I love to have the window blinds open but my hubby hates the windows open, he likes privacy. I love the light, he wants it dark most of the time... it is a battle.
@Tetchie (2932)
• Australia
3 Feb 07
As well as the sunlight lamp, maybe make your surroundings look good so you can feel good. Things like the color of your bedroom walls, if they are too dark they have a heavy feeling. If your house has a heavy feeling then try to do something about it. Maybe there is too much clutter in the house. Too many old things that are heavy and weighing you down. If you find things that create a light feel then it will help the the winter blues.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Feb 07
I have found that I feel more depressed when I eat certain types of food. I am trying to figure out exactly what it is, but I am having great difficulty. I guess I should say I would not be considered as clinically depressed, but I just feel a different mood coming on--like a sadness. Also, I love Christmas time so much that I look forward to it all year. When it is over--I am ready for Spring; however, I live in the mid-west so January and February are filled with long, dark, cold, dreary days. All of that contributes to a little sadness also.
• United States
2 Feb 07
There are many things that contribute to sadness... and dark, cold, dreary days definitely do. I try to use those days to accomplish things around my house, keep myself moving and away from the windows... if you have a hobby, those are the days to really get into it!
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• India
14 Feb 07
my depression is summer. there is very hot in summer . nobody want to wondering outside .
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• United States
15 Feb 07
Thanks for the response. Yes, summer is often very hot and therefore a depressing time for a lot of people. Hope you find a way to get through it...
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Get out of Indiana and come down here to Arizona. Blue sky and plants blooming all year round. Seriously, people with your condition should head south. Before moving to Arizona, I lived in Mississippi along the Gulf Coast, beautiful there all year long too, but didn't like the threat of hurricanes so we went West. Any Southern state from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast would be better for you.
• United States
15 Feb 07
Oh I so agree with you!!! And I would love to move south. I plan on it someday. But for the time being, my husband is a noncustodial parent and gets visitation every other weekend. I just can't take him away from his children!!! Someday though, someday!
@Agimat (355)
• Philippines
1 Feb 07
For me it's the last week of November. I usually get a little depressed right before December because I start thinking about the things I should have finished during the year. Sometimes I'd start thinking about how fast my children are growing up and I get a little sad but it doesn't last. I think about unfinished work projects that should have been done but for some reason were delayed. All these things put me in a sour mood and lasts until the first week of December.
• United States
2 Feb 07
I understand those feelings completely! If I allowed myself to think of all the things that went wrong during the year, I would be depressed during the whole following year. Instead I try to sit down and write down all the things that I achieved during the year. I have a diary with my achievements from the last ten years or so. Simple things... but when I start to feel like I failed during the year, I go and make myself write something good on my list. I usually start my list the first day of January. Maybe you should try it... it really does help! ***hugs***
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@Agimat (355)
• Philippines
2 Feb 07
I never though about that. Sounds like a great idea though. Thanks, I'll definitely try that.
1 person likes this