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Anonymous
joined 20 Nov 2008
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Posted by Anonymous, 21:56 24 January 2003

Hi my name is James, im 18 years old and i know I have sad. My symtoms are as follows: Anxiety, Unable to concentrate, Lack of energy, Low self esteem, Sleep alot and find it difficult to get out of bed, withdrawn from friends and family and im really down. I know it's sad and not depression because the symptoms occur only in september to march. All my life I have thought that I had low self esteem but only recently have I made the connection, that it only occurs in winter. At the minute I cannot afford a light box and dont want to take drugs from the doctor. I exercise every day which makes me feel better for a while. What I want to know is what options do I have ? I heard that st johns wort helps but how many times to I take it and in what form ? What nutritional guide is there for sad suffers ? and is the condition managable because I want to live a normal life ? Please help.

siddy
joined 22 Jan 2003
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Posted by siddy, 22:43 25 January 2003

Hello James,
Yes the condition is manageable but 'normal' life, well it will be different for non-sad sufferers. Everything and the kitchen sink is the best advice that I have recieved, don't just concentrate on one area i.e. lighbox but do everything that is necessary. I have tried St John's Wort but not very impressed (others might say different, use what works for you). The dosage are on the packs of St Johns Wort although I did hear that Germans use a higher dose than we do. Don't be afraid of trying meds as I can recommend prozac for the anxiety and withdrawal, I myself was dead against it at first but got fed up and tried it in the end. I still need to do exercise regularly and use 'light lamp' on grey days. I don't diet as such but have increased protein i.e. Tuna and suchlike and make sure I eat properly and regularly otherwise I binge. Some people eat a low carb diet but I'm not an expert on that. Join SADA for their info and contacts (some areas have support groups) Read 'Winter blues' by Norman Rosenthal. Dont have high expectations of yourself in winter and as much as possible make the demands on yourself a bit easier. Don't despair everyone feels F****d this time of year, Best wishes,

Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 11:45 27 January 2003

Hi James. So sorry that you feel so desperate. As at the moment you cannot afford a Light Box, read The Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal which will give you the appropriate information and therefore the confidence to go to your Doctor and insist that you are referred to one of the NHS Seasonal Affective Disorder Clinics (yes they do exist!). Get in touch with the SAD Association (http://www.sada.org.uk/) who more than likely have the list of where these Clinics are. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who understands your problem and they might keep you company going to the Doctor. Everyone is different, but I have always found that drugs just exacerbate the whole problem, bringing me to the point where I can actually sink no further. My light box has changed my life - it requires a minimum of 1 hour every single day in the winter, but the dedication has a huge rewards. I felt like you when I was 18 and through lack of personal drive with my Doctor I have been fobbed off with 'just depressed' for far too many years of winters. I will watch this space to see how you get on, all good wishes. Julie

Anonymous
joined 20 Nov 2008
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Posted by Anonymous, 14:10 29 January 2003

Around about 18/19 I realised that I had SAD; it takes a while to get used to a new routine but it is possible to live with SAD.
If you can't afford to buy a light box now contact the SAD association because they have lists of suppliers and the place I got mine from let you rent a lightbox. I rented one for a month to see if it worked for me and then they discount the rent from the purchase price. I don't know if Outsidein offer this.
I also managed to buy a second hand lightbox for a huge discount.

Keep exercising and if possible get yourself out for a run/bike ride/walk in the middle of the day. It's hard motivating yourself at first but it's worth it.

It is possible to live with SAD, it takes a lot of effort some days but it is possible.
I was (self) diagnosed at around 19 but had definite & recognisable symptoms for about 4 years before that. I'm 24 now and holding down a job where I have to deal with people everyday. I have a lightbox on my desk at work which I get questions but I'm happy to explain.

Look into lightbox rental, it's worth it. You will have to timetable some of your day and it's a hard habit to get into (took me nearly 2 years to accept that I HAVE to use my lightbox) but once it is habit you will recognise the symptoms of SAD as something you can avoid.

Good luck.

Anonymous
joined 20 Nov 2008
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Posted by Anonymous, 19:43 29 January 2003

Thanks for the replies. I've told my parents- which was hard -and they have been great, better then I thought. Thanks Siddy I have ordered Winter Blues and it looks like a good book. Julie you said you went to the doctors and he didn't understand, well im going next week and a little worried he'll do the same with me. What kind of tests do they do ? and what questions do they ask? Thanks also Amy, I agree that running at midday is great. Ive always loved sport and at the minute its the only relaxation that I get. I hope to have a light box for next winter and a body clock. So hopefully next winter will be better.

Hope your all feeling great.
James

Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 20:45 29 January 2003

Hi there James - so glad you got back, and really pleased that you have managed to explain how you feel to your parents. The Winter Blues book will be brilliant for all of you, you will feel less alone once you have read it. And don't worry about your trip to the Doc, tell it to him just like it is, he might just be more up to speed on the subject of SAD than mine was. They don't do any tests, they just ask questions about your energy levels, sleep patterns, appetite, enthusiasm and general outlook on life. From your replies he should be able to assess whether this is all a seasonal problem for you. My Doc did not lack compassion, he was kind, but his only solution was drugs owing to his gap of knowledge on the SAD subject. If you get your Winter Blues book before your visit to the Doc you will be able to show him the diagnosis chart in it, and exactly how you score. In the great plan of things, it is totally impossible for Doctors to be current with all medical topics, but you can be referred to specialists who are conversant with SAD. If at all possible, buying a light box now could save you from spending the remainder of the winter in despair (after all it goes on till mid April). I was completely well again having only used my light box for 10 days, medication can take 6 weeks. You could try one on a 21 day money back trial it if does not work, from OutsideIn - nothing to lose. There are other light box companies which rent them out by the month. You are heading in the right direction now James, and remember you are never alone. All the very best, all this is extra difficult when one has such low energy levels and one's outlook tends to be grey. Julie

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