Just found website...happy days :)

Hi Happy Girl, I'm glad you came across this website, I was so relieved when I found it too. Do you have a light box? I found that getting one really got me through the last couple of winters. Also my dawn simulator is a godsend, it really helps you to wake up on the dark winter evenings. I find a regular sleeping routine and exercise also helps and not taking on too much in the winter if you can help it. Last year I took Omega 3 when I was studying and found it helped with my concentration. If there is a student support service at your college, you might want to talk to an advisor as they may be able to negotiate deadlines with your tutors. Good luck! :-)

Thanks for all the advice...I have a lightbox but finding it hard to incorporate it into a routine esp in the mourning, I really wanna get my hands on a dawn stimulater but am bit low on funds at the moment. Am taking vitamins aswell and Omega's so I think if i start exercsing hopefully think will boost my seratone levels and body image. (put on a few ponds over xmas :(

I was thinking of maybe trying anti-depressents I know that they effect everyon different, but I'm just wondering if any one has tried them?

Happy Girl, I am also taking Citalopram for the first time this year. For the last couple of years I kept the SAD under control with my lightbox, dawn simulator and exercise. This year, it just wasn't enough, maybe because I was under more stress at work and I wasn't coping. I went to the doc and told her I think I have SAD. I'm on the 2nd week of taking them and I have to say they are doing the trick. The side effects at first were horrible, but I tried taking just half (5mg) and building it up and it was ok. My mood has improved and made winter easier to deal with, although I still can't wait for it to be over. Like you said they don't work for everyone but they seem to be working for me. I'm hoping to be off them by the end of April.

Thanks for all your advise and comments :)

I think I will give them a go If my doctor approves...The only thing that i'm worried about is the social factor as I heard that your not supposed to drink on them, is this true?

I suppose everyone is different. I didn't realise that you weren't supposed to drink. I hardly drink so it's not a problem, just have a glass of wine now and again.

A couple of years ago I was away from home, out with some people and couldn't understand why I was $h*t-faced after a couple and why I had an almighty hangover the next morning. After a day or two it came to me!

Drinking isn't all it's cracked up to be and not that good for you any way. It might be better to moderate through the winter months and keep your drinks for the summer. As regards the social factor' you're doing better than I am if you actually want to be 'social'. I avoid going out in winter if at all possible.

I have a problem though in that I never know what to have when I'm out. If I'm in a restaurant or a pub I quite often have a pot of tea or a coffee. TBH I just make a joke about it. As I'm usually with family in these circumstances it's not a problem. Everything that isn't booze is so sweet - excpet tomato juice, but I hate that!

Oh thanks,that's helpful..

I'm Irish so enough said about why drink is a major thing for me to consider :)

The thing is I kind of have to go out as I'm a DJ(tho I shy away from gigs in Winter) but I need to go out as I'm part of "Scene", so it's all about keeping upappearnces, well thats how I feel in winter, I see it as kinda fake but then in the summer I see it something that I enjoy and don't even think about it that way at all..It's mad the way our minds change their outlook, from positive to negative!

I'm going to be extremely disciplined for the next two weeks with my light and if I don't feel thats enough I'll try the meds...do you both use lights?

I bought myself a timer so that my light will come on first thing...going to hang it up tonight.

I'll keep you posted !!

Thanks for all your feedbacl :)

Charley, have a look here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/educationandtraining/highereducation/dg_10034898