Well meaning people

Anyone else tend to find that if you mention SAD to someone (non-sufferer) that they a) have miracle advice and b) suffer from feeling 'a bit low' in winter?

I have had all sorts of advice imparted to me, from exercise through to certain and specific vitamins, and if I say I have tried them I tend to find that the person giving the advice is like a dog with a bone, they refuse to believe that the remedy could fail and that I must have done it (the remedy action) wrong in some way because it worked for them.

I truly want to slap people who say those who say to me 'well we all feel a little low during winter'. An offer to trade places and a promise of huge sums of money if they feel the same way after usually shuts them up.

Yes! the Occupational Health bloke I was referred to by work was the worst. Banged on about hens only laying when they get a particular amount of light, then told me about SAD lamps. WHen I said I had been using one for three years....He decided that there wasn't anything that he could do to improve my situation. By that time I was back at work any way. grrr

people always say they get winter blues, but they have NO IDEA how difficult it is, its like your brain has been taken over by a darkness that you cant shake. its not the same as feeling a bit down or a bit upset. you cant blame people for not understanding, but it is so frustrating!

I couldnt agree with all these posts more! Its a misery that only a small amount of us "really" endure every year those that claim they also feel the same have no clue. Nor do they help by telling us to cheer up or do this or do that, go out with friends etc that will cheer you up- dont they understand you want to shut off from society and pretend the outside world doesnt exsisit so you can just sit in doors in the warm and sleep or eat!

Lucky you Donna! I get a lot of side effects with Cit. I suppose it depends on how you react to each drug. Having said that, I'd rather have the physical side effects than be a mess all winter!

Ive just started on Citalopram,had to change meds because of severe anxiety.I have been taking them for 12 days,main problems are lack of sleep and the anxiety,which hasnt improved at all. Also my sick note ends on Monday and to be honest Ifeel terrified at the thought of work.

Hi, I went to the doctors today. He has given me a sicknote for 2 more weeks and increased my citalopram dosage. Hopefully I will start to feel better soon.

Oh well I'm back like the bad penny I keep turning up.
I was reading this article and thought about how I am doing a course at the moment and have not been able to get there for a couple of days this week, more so since the arrival of the snow.
The tutor phoned me and said she is willing to work with me to pass the course which is nice, the only thing is that she said she understood how I was feeling then went on to say that I should try and get out for a walk as that will make me feel better, doh!!!!, if I could get out for a walk I would be able to get to the course, honestly I know she meant well but honestly, it's getting out that's half the trouble.
I have a lightbox and a clock that starts to light up 45 minutes before I am meant to get up, but because my sleep pattern is so all to pot just now, I am not getting to sleep until about 4/5 in the morning which means when the alarm does go off I don't want to actually get up as I am shattered.
I am seriously beginning to think that I need to visit the doctor which is something I have always tried to put off doing at all as I don't really think pills suit me.
Sorry to ramble and thanks for listening.

I am the same Scarlett, I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up in January, as I seem to go along getting worse in the lead up to December, as it's my worse month too.
I used to love this time of the year until I developed S.A.D., now how nice it would be to just slip past it.
As you say Scarlett it's nearly over.

Couldn't agree more, PurlpleIvy. As soon as you say you have SAD, it's automatically linked with "winter blues". These people actually have no idea. I try to make the distinction between SAD and winter blues as soon as possible in the conversation. If they aren't getting the message, I mention that it has made me feel suicidal at times. That makes most people begin to get some idea.

I can relate to all these messages. When I tell people I have SAD the number of times people say they have it a bit too just makes me mad. If they went through what I do every year they wouldn't be so glib.Last year was my worst every since the first time I was diagnosed and it was touch and go if I would make it frankly. It didn't help that I broke my wrist in a fall in December. This winter is going to be better for sure! Started my light therapy already and taking Citalopram now.