is it sad or depression or both

Hi Dave,

I have been as predictable as you for 7 years - so much so that a colleague of a friend has started aking her how I am on the 1st of October!!!!

Just ordering a light box now, and have been on anti depressants for about 3 months succesfully - they help, but dont cure everything. Also, took 3 attempts to find one i am comfortable with - tried Edronax and Cipramil but hated them, now take Lustral 2 times a day (50mg each)

I find getting outside is hard, but worth the effort. I have taken to walking a friends dog as an excuse.

Regards,

Gordon

Hi thanks for the the reply.This is my first winter in 8years without Lustral and finding it hell.have a light box but havent given it a chance.Im going to try ST Johns Wort.Good Luck,and thanks again for the reply

Hi Dave, have just read your post, see that you have a light box but you say that you haven't given it a chance and are now about to start on St Johns Wort too. Do check with SADA or OutsideIn, as I believe that taking St Johns Wort along with light therapy is actually contraindicated. It is perfectly possible for a light box alone to completely contain your SAD with a commitment to schedule an hour into your winter days, EVERY day. It is best to take one line of action at a time, like that you will get to know what works for you. This could be light or SJW or medication, or a combination of light and medication. Happy Days, Julie

Hi Dave
Asked myself the same question for years.

Speaking to non-SAD sufferers of depression, if you mostly lack the suicidal thoughts, there's a more than reasonable chance that it is SAD.

In my own case suicidal thoughts were replaced by mood swings, irritability, absolute rage sometimes, and the regular depression symptoms as well, of course.

Sesonal hyperactivity is a bit of a pointer, too. Once or twice I have realised that I have become quite hyper for a couple or three weeks in the spring, just before i "get better".
This led me to believe I was seriously mentally ill, rather than suffereing from SAD, and probably held up my diagnosis for a year or two. It was quite frightening for me personally, as I thought I would eventually end up barking mad ;)

In due course my GP and I, and that took about 7 years, gradually came to the same conclusion.
Yes I had the symptoms of depression. But it was more than likely SAD. I think the fact that I only ever staggered into the surgery in december or january, at my wits end was a bit of a clue!

Hope this helps

Hi Donna, Old Hippy, Julie and everyone - just looking back through these old posts (see below) I hadn't realised you can overdo it on the light at night!

I wake up to light for about 30 mins each morning, but I can't see my larger lightbox directly unless I lean over the edge of the bed - it gives a nice aura in the room though. Then at brekkie I have another 10-15 mins of more direct lightbox with my portable one on the table, and then I try and have it on while at my desk for most of my working day (I only work till 1:30 p m.)

I try to have some evening light, but I do find that some mornings I wake up around 5am. I no longer feel at all depressed when I wake, but two hours later when I need to get up at 7am (despite the lightbox on in the room) I am groogy for a while.

I do think that regular light is making me feel much better - I no longer feel depressed and I 'look' well again. The only thing still bothering me is dragging myself out of bed. But do you think I could be overdoing the light at night??

Although I try, I am not 100% consisntent with the light to be honest as none of my days ever pan out the same... I haven't found myself slipping down the slope though even after a very hit and miss lightbox weekend!!

Keep smiling!!

Dawn

Hi Dawn,
Good to hear that you are doing well :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I am abit fatigue after a long day of assisting in minor-ops today, but I did get a lunch break today which was nice!!! :D :D :D :D :D
My feet hurt abit though!!! :( :( :( :(
I am ok though so thats great !! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
One of our patient's was from Biggleswade today!!

Chat to you all soon. Hi to everyone else :D :D :D :D :D

Love Donnax

Hi Donna, Carole and everyone,
it is a bit gloomy here today - hope you guys are ok and not too tired.

I like the idea that we are 'sensitive' to lack of light rather than having a 'disorder' - sounds so much less 'clinical' doesn't it? I truly don't beleive we are all 'mentally ill'- we are far too clued up about how we feel for that to be the case don't you agree? (I'm not in denial about getting unwell but I just don't think these 'labels' are appropriate.)

Keep smiling!! :D :D :D
Dawn

Well said Claire :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Hi to everyone :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hi all,
thanks for info about how your employer supports you Claire. I work for a local authority and I am gonna ask them to help pay for my lightbox hire -worth a try.

I have no problem at all (and am in fact relieved) that SAD is a disability and a disorder - a lot better than thinking I was loopy like I did years ago!! But people who don't know any better use the term 'mental illness' with such a combination of fear and disdain that it makes me cross.

Even my own family sometimes give me the impression that they either think I am a malingerer or a basket case. If I announced I had a dreadful pysical illness I think they would 'warm' to it a bit more!! That personal level is probably where I am coming from with this - sorry guys.