Help

I'm basically on here to ask for people like me for help...

I've only just been diagnosed as having seasonal affected disorder this year after I changed GP's. This has pretty much ruined the past five years of my life. I've dropped out of university three times, due to just not being able to get up. I used to think I was, and had been accused of, being lazy. The phrase was as long as you're up before Mikey it's not that bad.

Over the past five years, when it came to winter months (it's in hindsight now I realise this) I've became so depressed that I've done crazy things, and some that were just downright stupid, in a bid to make myself feel better about myself. In result of this I suffer from really bad panic attacks as well.

I've tried this year to pick myself up again and have started a new University course somewhere different, but it's kicking in again and, and I've started missing classes getting up at past 2, sometimes 4 and last saturday 6pm (that was after going to bed at 1am). I know it's going to get worse, my body is trying to turn day into night, 2 years ago I slept for in total 18 hours one day/night.

I don't know what to do. My GP has given me Fluoxetine but I got that last year when I was diagnosed as having 'depression' and it turned me into nothing. I asked about light boxes and got a funny look, (the same look when you mention Homeopathic remedies).

What I'm trying to ask is what can I do to make this better? I know there isn't a quick fix cure, I'm not sure how well the light boxes work and what is the best.

Thank you for anyone who has any good advice, I really don't want to leave uni again because I've been trying really hard to keep up. I want to prove to people as well that I'm not lazy, and that I can get through this.

Hi Mikey,
Welcome to the forum. Everyone is very supportive and helpful on here and I'm sure you'll get some good advice. Sorry to hear you've been having such a hard time.
I'm surprised your doc gave you a funny look about lightboxes, I thought they were a widely accepted form of treatment. I've just ordered one and I've heard they're excellent for helping with SAD symptoms. Have you tried a dawn simulator? That might be the best option for you if your problem is getting up in the morning. You can read up about them on this website.
Nx

Hi mikey - sounds so much like me a couple of years ago... One major thing I will suggest is to talk to someone at uni and explain what's going on. Maybe your advisor/ head of year or a lecturer you get on with. Once the Uni know what's happening (and especially if you're backed up by medical notes) you should find they'll be very supportive.
As I say, I was in the same position a couple of years ago - i was missing so many classes, not doing assignments and all the rest of it but then my lecturers helped me to devise a schedule which got the work done in my time when I was feeling ok to do it.
They really were fantastic and although things were really difficult, I'm graduating tomorrow with an honours degree!! It really can be done I promise you, just as long as you get the support of the uni.

Good luck!! :) xx

Thanks very much for your help everyone. I've decided to go ahead and buy a lightbox and dawn simulator, now I've got to decide on which one! I have noticed I can get Lumie products from Boots (so I think I'm safe to mention that here!) so I can also get my Advantage Card points!

Hi mikeyb, brilliant you are on the first steps towards feeling better, please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.


paul

Mikey, welcome to the forum. I am one of those who find great benefit from owning a lightbox... in fact, I have two and will be getting a dawn simulator as well. I've also considered a portable lightbox for the times that I travel for work during the winter.

Good luck to you! C'mon back and let us know how you're doing!