SAD- Seasonal Affective Disorder

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Jan 14, 2019

I have wondered if January brought a deeper tendency for me to be either more depressed, deeper down depressed, or if I was just imagining it. But lately on Connect I hear a lot of the same complaints- "I'm so down; I don't care if I get out of bed;..."
I have just emailed my doctor about this and if a special light would help.
This article by Mayo Clinic also offers information about the lights themselves.
Who also feels like this? Maybe it's not getting worse but the lack of light that is exacerbating depression, which makes me more anxious. It's such a vicious cycle. Reality is that our storms are increasing in numbers and getting larger and longer lasting. Therefore there is less light getting through from the sun. At least that is what it is in New England.
So, what do you all think?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 17, 2019

@lioness- Love it. Good for you! Thank you for sharing. Art is so personal.

lioness | @lioness | Jan 17, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@lioness- Love it. Good for you! Thank you for sharing. Art is so personal." + (show)

@merpreb Glad you liked it , I'm working on 2 Penquins now

lioness | @lioness | Jan 17, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@lioness- Love it. Good for you! Thank you for sharing. Art is so personal." + (show)

@gingerw When my husband put the garden to sleep for the winter he put rye down the Deer loved it we use to watch them out our kitchen window. Just remembered this

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 17, 2019

In reply to @lioness "@parus Love the drawing I fed all kinds of birds even the squirrels came to eat..." + (show)

@lioness Before I moved here, I kept a bird feeder hung where it was easy to see. Blue jays, doves, pigeons, starlings all came around. So did the hawks when they realized they might get an easy snack. The rats started showing up to scavage for leftovers. So, had to pull the feeder out. Did also get squirrels. The blue jays learned to come to the sliding door and beg for peanuts in the shell, which they buried in the plants' pots ;))
Ginger

lioness | @lioness | Jan 17, 2019

In reply to @gingerw "@lioness Before I moved here, I kept a bird feeder hung where it was easy to..." + (show)

@gingerw That is cute burrying bluejays lol

Parus | @parus | Jan 18, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@parus- WOWOW. This type of drawing takes many hours and patience. I do watercolors, or have..." + (show)

@merpreb I have heard of these and even considered thus. For now I flood my habitat with those twisty lights whatever they are called. All of my houseplants are displaying smiley faces!! I enjoy watercolor but due to the DDD in my spine have gone back to pencil/pen&ink. Easier to pick up and put down. Thank you for the kudos.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 18, 2019

In reply to @becsbuddy "@merpreb , the light I’ve been using for years is called “Lite Book” and is about..." + (show)

@becsbuddy- Do you wait to take you AM meds (anti-depressants) or do you take them before you do the lite book?

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 18, 2019

In reply to @parus "@merpreb I have heard of these and even considered thus. For now I flood my habitat..." + (show)

Morning Parus- Oh, I'm sorry that you have disc problems. As the saying goes, that puts a crimp on things! My discs are also giving me problems, esp in my neck. What position do you draw in?

Parus | @parus | Jan 18, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "Morning Parus- Oh, I'm sorry that you have disc problems. As the saying goes, that puts..." + (show)

@merpreb With the scoliosis my positions cannot be stationary for longer than an hour. I sit in a recliner with my feet elevated trying to keep as much pressure off of my spine as possible. I have rolled up a bath towel holding it in the rolled position with rubber bands. I use this on my thighs to prop up the clipboard. This way I can keep my neck more upright with some support. My drawing tools are on a small table next to my chair. It works for me. I set a timer to remind me to get up and move for a bit and do some stretches or I will not be able to draw as much. There I go drawing pictures with words again. These drawings are 9 x 12.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jan 18, 2019

In reply to @merpreb "@becsbuddy- Do you wait to take you AM meds (anti-depressants) or do you take them before..." + (show)

@merpred I just take them with my morning pills, usually while I sit with the light. Right now, I’m sitting with the light cutting my fingernails short. They look awful!