hi everyone and bodyclock question

Hi Tabbytha!
It sounds like you are doing all the right things.
I too was reluctant to take Prozac at first, but it so improved the quality of my life in the winter, that it is now a necessity. Given a choice between feeling miserable or actually feeling okay over the winter months, Prozac is definately worth it.

I also use a brightspark and have a dawn simulator alarm clock. Both of them are a real necessity. They do make a difference. I can get up in the morning and don't feel as tired during the day.

All the best for your husband.

Hi there!
I have to agree with Siddy on this one. It's got a lot to do with quality of life. It wasn't just me suffering prior to my treatment with light and anti- depressants, but my whole family!
You have to weigh up the benefits of feeling better with a few side effects that usually disappear after a couple of weeks. I know what I shall be doing every winter from now on!!!
best wishes to you and your husband!
robbo.

Thank you so much everyone for your helpful and supportive replies :) I think I will go the whole way and get him the bodyclock light too, as certainly 'muzzy-head' feelings are one of the ways he describes himself every morning, not being able to wake up properly, especially when one glance out of the curtains shows yet another overcast and sunless day has dawned. I think it would help both of us in fact!

So much of what you all describe sounds so familiar - his feelings of depression with no specific cause, and flying off the handle when some small thing goes wrong; feelings of futility and lack of motivation which when you're a self-employed illustrator is doubly bad news. I sort of wished he would try the antidepressants - being a biologist, I even tried to describe them logically as being akin to a vitamin supplement for the brain, because your body isn't making enough of the right kind of neurotransmitters, so you have to give it a helping hand; but it wasn't enough to persuade him out of his negative mental image of relying on pills :roll: so the prescription remains unfulfilled. At the time it was enough for him just to have gone to the Dr. so I didn't push things.

Well, he will definitely like the idea of a natural light therapy, and I feel pretty sure he will find it helps him, from all your positive comments. Thanks again for listening and taking the time to offer support and advice :)

Peace,
tabbytha

Hi Tabbytha,
I bought a bodyclock advanced last winter and it was a lifechanger. I couldn't live without it. It is so comforting slowly waking to a cosy light room instead of the bleak blackness of a winter morning. I feel much more awake (as it slowly wakes you up before the alarm goes off) then much more willing to stay awake and get up in the light. My husband doesn't suffer from SAD but he also finds it much easier to wake up to. I also went a step further this year and bought a Brightspark. Again money well spent. I felt an immediate effect and exept for the couple of days in the first week when I slacked of using it (and felt dreadful) I have felt almost normal. I have not had a really bad SAD day since. I only joined the forum about a month ago just as I was about to buy my lightbox and although I thought I was suffering I soon realised that I don't suffer as much as a lot of other forum users do. I don't feel the need to take antidepressants as the clock and light therapy are working for me so far and I am so releived that I seem to have found a solution for me. I am really lucky. It also helps to get on the forum for some morale support from the other "saddies" so you don't feel like you are on your own.
Get your husband to talk to us.