Can it ever go away?

When I was first diagnosed with SAD (about 4 years ago) it was triggered by some very specific things that were happening in my life at the time. Since then, it has returned with monotonous regularity every year, and my doctor says that now it has been triggered I will probably have it for ever. So I'm just wondering if this is actually the case, or whether anyone has been known to recover from it as spontaneously as it began. Does anyone know?

Yes I'd agree with PurpleIvy there, I've had PND after three of my four kids - not the one born in spring, strangely (or perhaps not) - and since then have had far more severe SAD than I did when I was younger. Whether its the effect of age, being less mobile and socially active or just a predisposition to depression though I don't know.

Wow. This is a really interesting chat. I, too, had PND--with both kids and have suffered from SAD ever since. I agree with your thought, Ivy, that having had prior depressive episodes ups your chances of being vulnerable to SAD. Once again, I'm glad I'm not alone. ♥

I have read in a study that I can't find now (sorry) that some SAD sufferers find it just disappears. I remember it sad that people who have had it for years suddenly find it goes. Who knew? And fingers crossed!

Some years are much better than others so don't think that just because you have it then it's going to happen every year. Sometimes it can become a self fulfilling prophecy were you think you're going to get it and then you do rather than concentrating on trying to keep it at bay. After having SAD for many many years I've learnt the signs and also learnt ways to combat it when I see the signs creeping up on me.

The best thing iv'e found is to keep this time of year as stress free as possible so not making any life changing decisions, preparing for a certain religious holiday well in advance etc. If something else causes me stress at this time of the year I know it can just tip the balance between a good or a bad year. Luckily I'm past my usual trigger point (mid Sept) and feeling just fine at the moment. I'm sure the sunny days we've been having lately in the South are helping though. :o)