How are SAD people doing during these summer months??

It varies. Most of my bad moments are at night when I am alone. I think it is a two prone problem for me at least. One has to do with it being night and lack of sun light. Secondly, lack of a social setting. I need action and excitement to allow my brain stimilae. Like at clubs or a bunch of new beautiful women within my eye sight to chat with. Other then that this spring/summer so far is blissful. I wish it could be this way year round.

Things sooooo much better through the summer, I'm a different person. Although it's depressing to think that we're almost half way through it! Light box will begin again in September.

Hope that the rest of you are fine. has anyone heard from Aaron, haven't heard for ages.

I'm abit like Linda,I normally have full remission during summer.I didn't get the spring mania this year(I normally do)and have been off meds since the end of April.However TOO MUCH sunhine tends to reawaken my old friends anxiety and paranoia.I'm off to Portugal soon so I'll have to be carefull!

It's only mid July and I've had to bring the light box out again - I can hardly believe it. I'm in Northern Ireland and the weather has been so, so bad. We don't seem to be having a summer this year. It has really started to get me down, and the craving for carbohydrates has kicked in too. :( No holiday in the sun in sight, so I guess this is me for the long haul. Poor hubby has been getting the bad end of my moods!!! Let's hope the box helps soon.

Hi guys

Just popped back in to say Im holding my own so far. Really, really busy whizzing after the kids!

Had a number of days where I felt shattered, irritable and tired but managed to sort that out with a vitamin/mineral tonic from the chemists. Works a treat, then im off again.. I reckon that I must consume more vits/mins when I have have touch a SAD so this helps quite quickly.

Still doing my exercise though. If I stopped that then the world would become gloomy and tiring again.

Summer is a brill time to go out for a brisk walk, or run if you enjoy it, exercise is brill for SAD sufferers _ go for it

Dont give in to SAD, especially this time of the year, we dont need it nor want it, do all you can to get rid of it with a healthy diet, exercise, vits and mins (or tonic) and sleep. It may not get rid of it totally but it does make a marked difference.

Another therory Im working on....
Maybe you need to feed your spirit - ie, do you feel that you are fed up with stuff all around you at the moment.... find out what your spirit enjoys and make time for yourself to do those things. Our spirit loves to enjoy itself, indulge!!!!!!
(hey, I dont mean drink! lol)

This is an uplifting message flowers, dont feel offended - enjoy yourselves.

Me x

daisy

thanks for the confirmation. I mention my spirit as for a long time I have always had a list as long as my arm of faults about myself. I have reworked my thinking recently by giving my spirit time/energy and am starting to feel amazing and can think of nothing I dont like any more (even some people)- quite a feat really.

With a good heart, I'll just mention that the times when you really dont want to do any exercise, or find excuses, should be recatorgised as - one of those special times when you would get, by far, the greatest benefit from it. No harm in trying - give it a go -

Next time it rains, pop on some warm clothes and a raincoat and listen to the the raindrops plop on your hat/umbrella. You might even enjoy jumping in puddles, or watching the flowers drooping with appreciation, the smell that a wet day brings or the rain dripping of your nose -

Little silly things can be enjoyed if you take time to allow them too.
Give your spirit some life, Appreciate nature and enjoy yourself.

I must be turning into a right country boffin lol!!!

Find ways to spoil yourself - no excuses now -

love
Me x

I've been struggling too this summer, not all the time but when it's been overcast for more than a few days in a row I've started to sink running out of energy becoming snappy and some reemergence of anxiety but as soon as the it's sunny again I bounce right back, I was the same last year if not worse.

Me,

We've had a lovely morning and afternoon here. It was good to get outside in the sunshine, pottering around in the garden is good, and being able to hang out the washing. I was so missing pottering in the garden and even sitting outside. We just haven't had the weather to do that here this year at all (in fact the other night hubby and I were pulling the rhubarb in the rain).

Captain Cave Man, here's hoping there's lots of sunnier days ahead.

Its been a good day in Manchester, lots of sunshine, even managed to do some gardening.

It's really dark here today, wondering if the lamp would be a good idea.

Hello, hello.

I had a few darker days and now the sun has returned... gave me a taste of what I'm up against and I don't like it. I see the rheumatologist tomorrow and he is helping treat me for the fatigue of fibromyalgia. (and thus, SAD as well!)

I'm hoping that help with fatigue and the start of some counseling (perhaps cognitive-behavioral) will be a big help.

I'm also debating turning my apartment into a generally happier place for the wintertime -- adding some green plants, taking another look at the lighting situation, and spending some intense time at my hobby... birdwatching, by learning to identify birds by their calls. I've noticed that when birdsong quiets in the wintertime, my mood drops. I may also invest in some calming CDs and resume my t'ai chi and yoga for the wintertime.

I honestly was never a big fan of these alternative methods, but I do now recognize the benefits of relaxation and light physical exercise in lifting mood!

Good to see you folks again. Too bad for the circumstances, but I'm glad to have people who understand. :)

Hi,everyone.Had a great summer but this past week I've grown increasingly anxious and irritable.I've actually got the lightbox on now as I type this!It's been in storage since March.I'm still off the meds,and it is my intention to STAY off them.

I know this thread is going back quite a few months, but I want to report that Me was right. Firstly we have had a two week holiday end of May/beg June this year in Palma Nova, Majorca and it was the best thing we could have done. I slept great and feel so much better. I was at my wits end by September 2008 after the lousy weather here. Depression was at its worst. We booked the holiday and sometimes it was the one thing that kept me going - I was so low. To cut a long story short - we had to get rid of the car just before the holiday. On holiday we walked miles and miles and since we came home have kept this up. Me, you were so right - I can't wait to get outside everyday now for the walk, and hubby is starting to enjoy these walks too!! Rain or not, we dress for the weather and go for it. My stamina is improving and I don't get out of breath so quickly now. Thanks for the tip.
Hope you're all doing better this year.