SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) support and advice

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Bezolabub said:
Usually at this time of year I head back to South Africa for a couple of months purely because the days are longer down there.

And then come February or March I return to the UK and look forward to spring with some optimism.

But given the current circumstances it looks like I will be spending winter here in England, which is something I haven't done now for 3 or 4 years. So I really don't know what to expect over the next few weeks.
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I love the South African accent ❤️
 
Ever since the clocks went back a week or so ago, coupled with this Covid nonsense, the lockdowns, the heavy rain, gale force winds and of course the dark nights & mornings, I have been keeping a diary of my mood swings. And I have to say it doesn't make for fun reading because even though I should be eternally grateful for my relatively comfortable lifestyle, my thoughts always turn negative even for the most silliest of things.

This morning I have been in another moody mood because I am yearning for motherhood, feeling very maternal etc. but because I am in a lesbian relationship and my partner has made little or no overtures towards our future, I have felt nothing but hostility towards her all morning.

And yet when I have moments of clarity, I realise this is nothing to do with her; its more than likely the shorter days and the drastic lack of sunshine (even as a type this its absolutely pissing down!) And give it another couple of hours and it will start getting dark, and curtains will need to be drawn and lights switched on......

I'll stop typing now before I become even more vexed

Sorry
 
Yep it seems to be getting worse every year. Starts when kids go back to school until the 21st December when it’s the shortest day and then I know nights will start to get longer again.
 
It's tough going allright at the moment.
I have just ordered a rainjacket. I went out yesterday and got soaked, will prob head out in a few mins and get soaked.
Another tip a friend told me is find out what way sun light hits your house/flat and set up in the sunniest room possible. The light should help.
I also used this previously and am going to order again. It helped me so much with PMS and I feel like it wont do any harm

Product Detail Page

www.molloyspharmacy.com www.molloyspharmacy.com
 
Bezolabub said:
Ever since the clocks went back a week or so ago, coupled with this Covid nonsense, the lockdowns, the heavy rain, gale force winds and of course the dark nights & mornings, I have been keeping a diary of my mood swings. And I have to say it doesn't make for fun reading because even though I should be eternally grateful for my relatively comfortable lifestyle, my thoughts always turn negative even for the most silliest of things.

This morning I have been in another moody mood because I am yearning for motherhood, feeling very maternal etc. but because I am in a lesbian relationship and my partner has made little or no overtures towards our future, I have felt nothing but hostility towards her all morning.

And yet when I have moments of clarity, I realise this is nothing to do with her; its more than likely the shorter days and the drastic lack of sunshine (even as a type this its absolutely pissing down!) And give it another couple of hours and it will start getting dark, and curtains will need to be drawn and lights switched on......

I'll stop typing now before I become even more vexed

Sorry
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Yeah I can relate about the negative thinking I’m constantly self doubting and beating myself up over the silliest of thoughts etc :( first day back at work today and it was really MEH :(
 
Trixabellee9393 said:
Yeah I can relate about the negative thinking I’m constantly self doubting and beating myself up over the silliest of thoughts etc :( first day back at work today and it was really MEH :(
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Ever since Boris announced the 2nd lockdown for tonight and for the next 4 weeks, my mood has dipped even more into one of depression. The time of year is bad enough, but now that the nation is going to be faced with severe disruption and confusion, it just makes one's mood even more pessimistic.

If it wasn't for my current workload I would probably turn to the bottle again. But fortunately it won't come to that just yet.

They say you shouldn't rush your life away, but OMG I really want the next 3 of 4 months to fly by!
 
I've signed up for a 500k step challenge for Nov. Since working from home steps have gone to pot. I've been drinking far too much with the will we/wont we go back into lockdown. I wont reach anywhere near the 500k but if it gets me out in daylight and into the fresh air then it wont bea bad thing. Its also given me a focus for Nov instead of endlessly searching for cheap flights to the sun to plan around. Which is my norm for these months. Might help someone else x
 
Bezolabub said:
Ever since Boris announced the 2nd lockdown for tonight and for the next 4 weeks, my mood has dipped even more into one of depression. The time of year is bad enough, but now that the nation is going to be faced with severe disruption and confusion, it just makes one's mood even more pessimistic.

If it wasn't for my current workload I would probably turn to the bottle again. But fortunately it won't come to that just yet.

They say you shouldn't rush your life away, but OMG I really want the next 3 of 4 months to fly by!
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Sending strength x I guess it kind of helps that we are all in lockdown together but still hard :(
 
Trixabellee9393 said:
Sending strength x I guess it kind of helps that we are all in lockdown together but still hard :(
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Indeed. There are probably millions of people in a worse situation than myself, and am grateful I still have a job and a good income to keep me focused. And having a girlfriend certainly helps too. Am stilling trying to think positive thoughts, but sometimes your brain dictates your mood regardless of how you feel.
 
I get it every year 😕 seems to be just when the clocks go back (UK) that it triggers it. Just feel like there’s a constant dark cloud hanging over me.

I take vitamin D and use the special light therapy lamp but the only thing that really works is upping my antidepressants which I don’t want to do 😔
 
Dietcoke21 said:
I get it every year 😕 seems to be just when the clocks go back (UK) that it triggers it. Just feel like there’s a constant dark cloud hanging over me.

I take vitamin D and use the special light therapy lamp but the only thing that really works is upping my antidepressants which I don’t want to do 😔
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Yeah I’ve had to up mine which I didn’t really want to do. :( just feel so down and quiet and no energy and keep getting anxious too xx horrible xx
 
Has anyone found their sleep has been affected? My insomnia is horrendous again, and I feel so lethargic all of the time. Cannot concentrate, total foggy brain 😩
 
Elizaaaaa said:
Has anyone found their sleep has been affected? My insomnia is horrendous again, and I feel so lethargic all of the time. Cannot concentrate, total foggy brain 😩
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Yes. Always the same this time of year. Can't sleep during my normal sleeping hours of 11pm and 5:30am. instead I go to bed at 10:30 but toss and turn for 2 or 3 hours, before I eventually get an hour or maybe 2. But then I need to pee and can't get back to sleep again until about 30 minutes before my alarm goes off.

These can last right up to when the clocks go forward in March
 
Bezolabub said:
Yes. Always the same this time of year. Can't sleep during my normal sleeping hours of 11pm and 5:30am. instead I go to bed at 10:30 but toss and turn for 2 or 3 hours, before I eventually get an hour or maybe 2. But then I need to pee and can't get back to sleep again until about 30 minutes before my alarm goes off.

These can last right up to when the clocks go forward in March
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Trixabellee9393 said:
Hmmm yes it’s took me a lot longer to nod of the past two weeks and I feel really slow an like j have zero energy
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Obviously not "liking" that you are having sleep issues too, but thank you for making me feel less alone! I had horrific insomnia last year, it started in October but didn't actually improve until August-ish. And here I am again 😭 I have had medication from the GP (alongside antidepressants) and undergone sleep restriction therapy, only to be told I wasn't "responding as we'd expect" 🤦🏻‍♀️ I absolutely love sleep too, and I can't even lie in!
 
Elizaaaaa said:
Obviously not "liking" that you are having sleep issues too, but thank you for making me feel less alone! I had horrific insomnia last year, it started in October but didn't actually improve until August-ish. And here I am again 😭 I have had medication from the GP (alongside antidepressants) and undergone sleep restriction therapy, only to be told I wasn't "responding as we'd expect" 🤦🏻‍♀️ I absolutely love sleep too, and I can't even lie in!
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I had awful insomnia for nearly the whole of 2018 and some of 2019 it’s the most heart breaking thing :( some days I’d work on one hour sleep! Sometimes if I have a couple of kiwis and a glass of milk it helps as it create melotonin :) worth a try ! Tablets didn’t help me either :(
 
Trixabellee9393 said:
I had awful insomnia for nearly the whole of 2018 and some of 2019 it’s the most heart breaking thing :( some days I’d work on one hour sleep! Sometimes if I have a couple of kiwis and a glass of milk it helps as it create melotonin :) worth a try ! Tablets didn’t help me either :(
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Thank you for sharing - you get to a point where you don't know how you're still functioning don't you? I've never been a great sleeper but the last year has been the worst, and I'm not sure people actually understand/believe it when you tell them.

The standard advice is to eat healthily and exercise - now I know I'm not doing those very well at the moment, but because I have literally no energy to do it! I can barely manage a full day working (WFH thankfully), never mind try and go out/prepare a meal. Some days even showering feels too much, which then sets off a cycle of feeling like a failure. What really doesn't help is all the articles about how bad not enough sleep is for your health, like we're avoiding sleep for fun!!

I hope your sleep has improved since then xx
 
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