Guest guest Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Hi McKella: I live in Seattle, which is known for dark, damp days. Over 10 years ago I was diagnosed with SAD (Seasonable Affective Disorder) and offered several remedies: (1) full spectrum light boxes, (2) SSRI antidepressants; (3) get outside every day for at least 30 minutes on cloudy days and even longer on sunny days; (4) vacation in sunny locations whenever possible. So we bought a full spectrum light box for my studio and a junior light box for our breakfast nook. On dark days I eat breakfast by the junior box and read or do paperwork under the larger box. When we moved to another location, we replaced all the incandescant bulbs in the house with full spectrum bulbs and fluorescent tubes. I also tried Serzone (an SSRI with supposedly few reported side effects). However I went from feeling anxious and bingeing to cope with anxiety, to not feeling anything and not bingeing. Then I started 'losing words', forgetting thoughts and experiencing 'trailing', a common Serzone side effect. (When I turned my head I felt dizzy, because my brain contents seem to move more slowly that my skull.) Then I stopped feeling guilty about anything and binged almost daily. Eventually I lost motivation to paint (my profession) and didn't want to do anything. I didn't really feel unhappy or hopeless. I just didn't care anymore. So after 18 months, I decided to taper off Serzone and just use full spectrum lights for SAD. 10 years later I continue to walk daily no matter what the weather. However, on sunny days I garden, play tennis or bike to spend more time in the sun. I also work in my studio with south and west facing windows. I use the light boxes on dark or cloudy days. We vacation in Maui every 2-3 years. Fortunately Seattle summers are very sunny about every other year. This year we've had an early sunny spring, while the rest of the country suffered through cold, snowy winter. SUE > > Does anyone else get really bad winter blues like I do? I'm just sick of waking up and feeling disappointed that the weather sucks, and the cold and darkness makes me munchy and lethargic. The pants I bought in October are getting tight. I'm already on a mild anti-depressant in the winter months, but I still can't shake that constant sadness that hangs around when it's dark and cold. The weather was nice most of this week, but the past few days have been nasty and I've eaten more than I've wanted and my emotional eating has been creeping back up. Any advice? > > McKella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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