sad: diagnosed?

Hi cliff, welcome to the forum, I think most people on here would agree that the best thing would be to get a diagnosis from your doctor, just so you can rule out any other problems, Some years ago, I decided that I suffered from sad, the doctor I had at the time was pretty hopeless, so changed to a new one. He told me that I suffered from sad and just knowing I was being taken seriously helped a lot. I think some people on here have self diagnosed but went to the doc to be on the safe side.

nickyj14 you have to have recorded symptoms for 2 years before they will diagnos you with sad. What a pain.

yes if you read on the net about it thats what they say but if what you are doing helps keep doing it.

Thanks SGL, will have a look. Maybe in the UK it's different, or maybe Me's doc is just very supportive. When did you get your diagnosis Me? That's such a shame you didn't enjoy your wedding day, I think I would definitely want a wedding in June or July!

It's worth being checked. I just learned that I have fibromyalgia, which has similar symptoms to SAD. I probably also have SAD as well -- the doctor didn't say otherwise but instead commented that he thinks the two are probably related.

It's good to have some medical support if you can find a good doctor. It's been a real challenge here in PIttsburgh, finding a primary care doctor who knows more than just the textbook definition of SAD.

I read in the SAD book that everyones talking about, that alcoholism in a close family member (ie parent) is a common factor too.

I thought it was three years, but it makes no difference really. The first year is obviously not diagnosable, the second could be due to external factors, the third becomes a pattern. Maybe its more common now, and therefore the doctors are diagnosing earlier.

Ive had it since I was a child, even before SAD was given a name. Ive had some very tough winter times, so bad sometimes that ive had enough. Until this year, ive not taken medication mainly because I get so bad that I dont want the risk of having them in the house. I got my lightbox 10 years ago, and find it helps. Always had a problem having friends and keeping friends. Only beginning to understand why these days. I go from being so completely overpowering in my grandiose stage to not wanting to socialise in the winter. Every spare moment in the winter is spent trying to catch up with my sleep - and I dont go out with mates in the evening. Hardly surprising that people dont always understand me.

Please dont get me wrong, I didnt hate my wedding day, I just dont remember it to be a special day, It was a long day for someone with SAD, I just wanted a nap! My husband choose the day, and at the time of planning it seemed ok, but when I was feeling fine, I forgot about my constant visitor - SAD - he came too.

Me x

Hi, I think I have very bad and very good luck, I am from Mexico and live in Mexico City where we have a beautiful sunny weather most of the year. My bad luck is that I am one of the few inhabitants in this country suffering SAD, actually the only person here I know with this problem is me! The good luck is that my doctor diagnosed me with SAD two years ago, telling me that I am the second patient with SAD that he has met in his practice here!, and he prescribed light therapy asap. I think I am lucky to be with one of the few doctors who could possibly diagnose SAD here! Anyway, I have depression since my first child was born (17 years ago) coming in and out of it but for the last 5 years unable to live without meds, trying to get out of it with the doctor supervision but not being able to...
This winter has been so far the worst, is the first time I stay days in bed, not getting a bath or doing any of my home chores or writing two papers that are due in late January which makes me feel guilty and extremely anxious. But I just can´t make myself do anything.. is so frustrating... (not been using my light box until yesterday though) I am so glad I found somewhere to talk about it, although my family is very supporting and understanding sometimes I feel I am impossibly lazy and should do something to get out of it, even with all the knowledge about depression I have gathered in these years...
Nice to meet you all and my best wishes for 2008 (specially winter!)