[dragonfly2]

Here in northern New England, the onset of winter feels like someone dropped a curtain in front of the sun. It's especially noticeable after we turn the clocks back and the sun is gone by 4:30pm. Well, that was this past weekend.

Some years my mood shift is worse than others, and I'm actually doing well so far this year. But my daughter, who is also bipolar, just took a nosedive. I've started her on light therapy and have let her pdoc know, but my head is just spinning at how quickly she dropped. I know I've dropped just as quickly before, but seeing it from the other side is an eye-opener.

Anybody else feeling it already?

[dirt69juggalo]

Today I've dived like a sky diver without a shute. And I was doing better this week too

[venusss]

Time changes always throw me of the loop.

[AniManiac]

I'm doing much better than usual for this time of year, but I think some hypomanic episodes last month had something to do with it. And now new meds, so I'm not really sure which way is up. But my fingers are crossed that I won't have the usual winter blues, because I have about 250 pages of dissertation to write in the next 5 months.

We just had 3 days of sunshine (practically unheard of in CNY in November) and unusually warm temps, so I'm hoping today's gray skies don't cancel out all of that residual Indian Summer pleasantness. I'm getting completely befuddled by everything being dark at 4:30 though - this morning half the breakfast conversation revolved around how to reconstruct our Thursday evening routine, since it's too dark to make it worth taking the dog for a walk in the park after we pick up our farm share, like we've been doing all summer.

It does feel a little strange to be in bed by 6 PM, yes.

Yes I have noticed it, I can't remember how many days ago I last saw some sun. Yesterday I was feeling very down. My energy levels have sunk to zero. We had a snowfall the other day but it was too warm and none of the snowflakes 'made it' at least if it snows it gives me something to be happy about. We are in a tight valley and it's nothing but grey untill spring now. I do miss that about the Praries, it was so cold but we had blue skies and sun throughout the winter.

I'm hoping for some snow but probably not until December. I noticed yesterday it was nearly dark by 4 pm. :0

[nacht]

I struggle with this every year. I spent most of yesterday asleep (not even an exaggeration, 18 hours), and while part of it was due to side effects from a med change, it wasn't the only reason. It's hard not to want to sleep when it's already dark outside at 6pm.

[dragonfly2]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. Sorry to hear so many of us aren't feeling well. We can all get through this winter together.

[ItsmeTC8888]

I also have a problem with the on set of winter and the time change. I moved from sunny California to Kansas and the last two winters since I have been here have been bad. So far so good this year. We have had nothing but sun shine with the exception of a couple of rainy days. What I did to get throw the last two winter was I exercised on my WII as much as possible. It seemed like it keep my endorphins up. It helped me a lot from getting two deppressed because I can't take antidepressants, they make me manic. Its not a cure all but it helped. I also to vitamin D. You get vitamin D from the sun and there is a link between people who suffer from seasonal depression and low amounts of vitamin D.

My prayers with be with you and your daughter butterfly

[Sheba976]

Originally Posted by AniManiac

I'm doing much better than usual for this time of year, but I think some hypomanic episodes last month had something to do with it. And now new meds, so I'm not really sure which way is up. But my fingers are crossed that I won't have the usual winter blues, because I have about 250 pages of dissertation to write in the next 5 months.

We just had 3 days of sunshine (practically unheard of in CNY in November) and unusually warm temps, so I'm hoping today's gray skies don't cancel out all of that residual Indian Summer pleasantness. I'm getting completely befuddled by everything being dark at 4:30 though - this morning half the breakfast conversation revolved around how to reconstruct our Thursday evening routine, since it's too dark to make it worth taking the dog for a walk in the park after we pick up our farm share, like we've been doing all summer.

Your in CNY? Me too. We've had some decent weather this week but my kids are operating an hour earlier. Fortunately since its dark earlier, I don't have issues getting them to bed. The first big snow fall always makes everyone miserable around here.

[manicminer]

Dark at 5pm is ********!

[~Christina]

I really really dont like the damn time change ... I have just wanted to sleep and sleep and sleep ..If noone was around me and my dog didnt need to go out I could really see myself sleeping 20 hours a day....(So not a good thing)

Having our first cold snap here in Tennessee and its hell on my Fibromyagia and we cant afford to really keep the house warm..so thats another reason I sleep alot LOL ! Once I get warm in bed I hate getting out of it .

That said ... last year at this time I forced myself to walk 1-2 miles a day regardless of the weather and or pain and Yes it was very helpful .I just cant seem to get motivated to even argue with myself over why I cant get moving .. ** Sigh***

Maybe Ill walk tomorrow

[Fresia]

I am missing the sun already too. It was dark last night here by 4:40 and know by the middle of Dec it will be dark before 4:00 and the sun won't be up before 8:00. I have not gotten used to it so it was time to try something new. This year I have started light therapy as well to see if it might help and make a difference. I hope so.

As Dragonfly2 mentions, we'll get through this winter together!

[dragonfly2]

Originally Posted by Sheba976

The first big snow fall always makes everyone miserable around here.

I hadn't thought of that - that might be part of it, too. We had our first major snowfall before Halloween. Most people up here had anywhere from 8 inches to 2 feet of snow! It finally all melted by this weekend, but it hung around for a while.

morethingswrong: I know what you mean about staying in your warm bed. With the price of propane up here, I tend to keep the thermostat turned down, but there are some nights I just go to bed in my regular clothes because the thought of getting into those cold pajamas is just too much, lol! (Hmmm...TMI?? )

I hope the light therapy works for you, Fresia. It has helped me in the past. I've been trying to spend as much time as I can in the sun this week, but I know once the skies turn grey, I'll need to use the light box.

Oh, and ditto to manicminer's sentiment....

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by dragonfly2

I know what you mean about staying in your warm bed. With the price of propane up here, I tend to keep the thermostat turned down, but there are some nights I just go to bed in my regular clothes because the thought of getting into those cold pajamas is just too much, lol! (Hmmm...TMI?? )

Three words: electric mattress pad.

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by Sheba976

Your in CNY? Me too. We've had some decent weather this week but my kids are operating an hour earlier. Fortunately since its dark earlier, I don't have issues getting them to bed. The first big snow fall always makes everyone miserable around here.

Actually, I'm in Syracuse too!

But no snow here yet, other than a few fast-dissolving flakes one day last week.

I actually don't mind the snow all that much. It's prettier than winter-drab mud, muck, and barren trees. What I do mind is the extra half hour to go anywhere because you have to bundle up and put on boots and bring indoor shoes with you and blah blah blah. What a hassle!

But a little snowshoeing at Beaver Lake or Highland Forest makes me glad for the snow - I'm really looking forward to that. Also good for a little endorphins and some fresh air!

[Travelinglady]

Hmmm. I didn't realize this question had already been asked, and I posted a similar one yesterday. I am having some depression and definitely tiredness!

I read somewhere how bipolars can prepare for the time change, but I don't remember what it said, so I don't do it. Professionals ARE aware that this change can be difficult on us folks.

[BNLsMOM]

Although I was in the hospital last week, I don't think it had to do with the time change. My meds weren't working and I needed a change quickly. I wasn't safe so it had to be done in the hospital.

As far as the time change, I usually feel a difference, and I just mourn for summer. I do best in warm sunny weather, but I live in Massachusetts so we get that for only a few months. Someday I will move to Florida or Hawaii or somewhere that has a lot of sun and more light for longer into the evening.

I usually start counting the days until we take our annual vacation to Florida in March, and the days until the warm sunny weather comes back.

I was just thinking about when doctors in the 1800's told people to move to a warmer climate, how many of those people had bipolar.

[dragonfly2]

Originally Posted by AniManiac

Three words: electric mattress pad.

LOL - yeah, I've thought of that, but my husband wouldn't go for it. My younger daughter has one and loves it. I need to bring out my electric blanket and set it up before I go to bed, then I can just put it on my side.

Or I could just move to Arizona....yeah, that sounds better.

[dragonfly2]

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

Although I was in the hospital last week, I don't think it had to do with the time change. My meds weren't working and I needed a change quickly. I wasn't safe so it had to be done in the hospital.

Glad to hear you were able to get to a hospital. I hope you're feeling better.

I usually start counting the days until we take our annual vacation to Florida in March, and the days until the warm sunny weather comes back.

Florida in March sounds nice. I'm just glad we change the clocks back in March instead of April now. Those couple of weeks make a big difference!

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by dragonfly2

LOL - yeah, I've thought of that, but my husband wouldn't go for it. My younger daughter has one and loves it. I need to bring out my electric blanket and set it up before I go to bed, then I can just put it on my side.

Or I could just move to Arizona....yeah, that sounds better.

The one I have has different controls for each side, perfect compromise! We really only use it to "preheat" the bed because it gets way too warm once we're under the down comforter.

Although AZ doesn't sound half-bad right now - the mixed rain/snow just started coming down and it's just plain cold today.

[dragonfly2]

Originally Posted by AniManiac

The one I have has different controls for each side, perfect compromise! We really only use it to "preheat" the bed because it gets way too warm once we're under the down comforter.

Although AZ doesn't sound half-bad right now - the mixed rain/snow just started coming down and it's just plain cold today.

Awesome! It didn't even occur to me that there would be dual controls. I found one on Amazon - they even have it for Cal. King beds! (Not the easiest thing to find bedding for.)

Thanks!

I love my heated mattress pad except that I sometimes forget to turn it off and wake up sweating.Yuk!

[~Christina]

Dragonfly ...I hear ya .. we have propane here .. Its INSANE the cost .
I really need to get a heating blanket but between the cost of therapy and meds its going to have to wait

I had planned to take a walk today and woke up with good intentions and then I have no idea what happened ..Poof the motivation was gone ..

Maybe tomorrow