Do I have SAD?

My name is Claire and I am 32 next month. Over the past couple of years I have noticed, that especiiay during winter, that I feel completely downhearted with everything in my life. I feel sorry for myself, anxious all the time, depressed, you name it, I feel it. I have been looking into trying St Johns Wort as a cure, but want to know if it works first. I think I do have SAD, as I don't feel like this in the summer. It is getting me down as I can't concentrate on work and my poor husband has to keep telling me he loves me and everything is OK. I think I just need to talk to someone to try and work through how I feel and just to know, it will get better.

Claire

Hello Claire,

Yes you sound like you have SAD but I would (as always) suggest keeping a diary of symptoms, weather, emotions, unusual behaviour e.t.c (it can be brief) to use as a way of confirming you have condition and planning next winters plan of attack!!

St John's wort only works if you wear funny looking glasses, Birkenstock sandals, natural clothing and live in a dreary northern German suburb! 8)

I have listed my regime for dealing with SAD under 'it's a great day here', this seems to work best for me. I think whatever works for you is most important and be prepared for a holistic approach because unless your symtoms are mild you have to use a lot of different solutions.

Read up as much as you can i.e. winter blues by Norman Rosenthal, Angela Smyth did a book called Seasonal Affective Disorder but I am not sure if it has been retitled as Winter depression (can anyone clarify?).

Okay I'm a BLOKE so I am here to offer advice (sympathy is what your girlfriends are for!) but it does get better and over time you will manage situations and symptoms better,