New member

Hello everyone at the Outside in Forum. I'm Claire and also a sufferer of SAD aswell. I was really happy to see a website that has a forum for people to talk to others with SAD :P
I'm 23 and have suffered from the dreaded SAD since I was 14, but finally got diagnosed when I was 21 because I wouldn't be told that there was nothing wrong with me and I was fed up of being fobbed off by the drs.
Although I had a life long illness I was glad at the same time because I finally had a reason to why I felt the way I did!! People don't realise the suffering and feelings that we go through each year. I want to do things but can't, and most of the time I can't even remember what I wanted to do.
My life seems to be put on hold from August to April each year because I find it so hard to cope with my exhaustion and working. Even cleaning up makes me knackered - It's hard enough getting out of bed in the morning never mind going to work. :(
How do you cope with the exhaustion that SAD brings each year?

The depression isn't so disabling, as I take anti-depressants regularly each year, so it keeps a lid on that until I need the dosage increasing and I also have a light box although I'm not completely sure how I should be using it for it's effectiveness. I can only use it on an early evening as I work all day and don't have any time in a morning. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Maybe now I have found people that understand the way I feel and what is happening to me I will be able to understand some of it myself. I hope I can give some advice as well as hopefully gain some also.

Hope to hear from you soon

Claire - KEEP SMILING :D :D

Welcome Claire to this SAD place!

We're a wonderful bunch really, lots of great inspiration coupled up with SAD histories, but best of all a feeling of not being alone with IT any more.

It's good that your medication keeps depression in control. As you take your medication all year, is it that you suffer from depression in the summer too?

You asked about using a lightbox. I must admit that I have found routine is paramount. For a number of people I have read that late afternoon for an hour, same time every day, works well. Equally an hour before dawn works best for others. From my personal experience I have to have an hour and a half from 8 - 9.30 every day. I cannot deviate, I cannot snatch 'top-ups', and it appears to be no good at all using it for long periods some days in order to make up for tomorrow when you know you won't find it that easy to find the time. No point in overdosing, it's like a vitamin tablet, you don't take the whole pot in one go. Generally I understand from literature I have read, mornings are the preferred time as evenings can keep you awake at night.

By way of coping with exhaustion, my lightbox helps simply enormously. I am sure once you find your regime with your lightbox your energy levels will improve - perhaps you won't find them to be exactly as they are in summer, but the lightbox lift is huge.

I am also no longer depressed or desensitised, I have less guilt, no worthlessness and have regained a certain amount of my normal drive. However, despite my trusty lightbox, I have already gained 8lbs this winter, and, although I would not say I have my usual rigid anti-social paranoia, I don't exactly feel I want to party.

I am however lucky in that I work from home, invariably @ my computer and my satellite lightbox sits on top on a special computer tray. (I'm 52 by the way, have had sad for approx 34 years.) My actual lightfix is penned in my diary for every single day now (had a hiccup earlier, lack of commitment, paid for it big time). Like many others, despite annual persistence with my GP, I failed and I am self diagnosed, using self-help. Now that is sad too, isn't it. What is this reluctance on the part of GP's to get to grips with SAD and start helping people........?

So good luck with your lightbox, I am sure it will prove to be your best winter ally ~ do remember to let us know how you get on. With the right use, your lightbox could have you up and running again in as little as 5 days!

Julie

Hi Claire,

Nice to see you made your way here!

(we met in a private message previously!)

Lightbox, do you work at a desk? Put it on your desk.

If not then find the routine that best suits you. I have to get up at 7 and use it for an hour (sometimes I only do half and hour from 7.30-8, but I have to make sure that I make time to have a decent hour to 3/4 of an hour most days).

My light box doesn't really work for me in the evening. By then I'm too tired to feel any benefit. I have to get my fix first thing to wake me up for the day.

You don't say why you can't use your lightbox in the morning, if it's a time issue it really is worth considering going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. It's a sacrifice but having said that it is well worth it, or at least from my perspective (she says having not gone to sleep until 1am last night... bad girl!)

Take care,

and take a read through some of the old posts, maybe do a search on specific topics. There's so much information about lightboxes and personal use of treatments that it really is worth reading... we should publish! We could call it "How SAD!".