Myra's story

The winter of 2000 was particularly bad for Myra. 'I got to the stage where I didn't care if I lived or died', explains Myra. 'I even began to think how I could stage an accident so it wouldn't look like suicide. Life became so difficult that I didn't want to carry on, and that scared me.'

Myra emigrated from Canada to Scotland in 1993 after being diagnosed as suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). 'SAD affects me in two distinct ways. Without treatment, family life, personal life, work life - everything - is hell. Little hiccups in life can seem like insurmountable barriers. When the winter starts creeping up, around September, I find day-to-day life with SAD harder and harder to face. By January I am ready to find a tree to ram my car into!'

The second way SAD affects Myra is through treatment, known as light therapy. 'During the winter I follow a rigid routine of sitting at my computer every morning, from 7:30 to 8:30, with my lightbox on.'

'For years SAD completely dominated my life,' continues Myra. 'Finally, after the winter of 2000 I realised that no-one was going to help me, except me. I needed a support group but there wasn't one where I lived. So I set up my own in Laurencekirk.'

After starting the group, Myra went back to her GP to ask him why she hadn't been referred too the SAD clinic in Aberdeen. 'His answer was simply that he wasn't aware such a clinic existed. How sad is that?'

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Comments on this article

Suzie
joined 26 Jan 2007
444 posts

Posted by Suzie, 18:39 25 September 2007

I have asked if I can be referred to one of the only two SAD clinics in the UK. One is in Essex and one in Aberdeen. My doctor didn't know about them either. I have been told that because it is outside of our NHS area they will have to apply for funding from the Secondary Mental Health Care Team. It will have to go to a board and should funding be refused then I will not be able to be referred. Had I not found the support from the forum and purchased a light box and dawn simulator I don't know what I would have done by now. I probably wouldn't be here to tell the tale.

All I can say is thank you

Diana
joined 2 Jan 2008
3 posts

Posted by Diana, 23:34 2 January 2008

I would dearly love to know how I can get in contact with the SAD clinic in Aberdeen I have tried every where and can not find the address name or contact number please can you help.
Thanks Diana

Suzie
joined 26 Jan 2007
444 posts

Posted by Suzie, 08:03 3 January 2008

Diana

Are you a member of SADA? They will provide you with the address details. Unfortunately, I gave my address list to my doctor and they have lost it so I can't give you the address at the moment. Should I come across it I will post it straight away. Alternatively, join SADA and you will receive an information pack with the address in it.

Suzie

Diana
joined 2 Jan 2008
3 posts