[Restlessone]

My depression tends to peak oct-dec. Are there any tips that anyone has to help with this increase in depression?

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by Restlessone

My depression tends to peak oct-dec. Are there any tips that anyone has to help with this increase in depression?

Response: Of course the darkness contributes to this and i think the pressures of the holidays cause mood swings. I have heard that there are special lights you can order to help w s.a.d.d. I find it helpful to avoid being sucked into all the holiday overdoing. I especially try to avoid the xmas extravaganza. I give gift cards and only a few. I bring food in. Exercise, stick to your routine. Pamper yourself!

[Wild Coyote]

I agree with luvyrself:

Use broad spectrum lighting to counteract the loss in sunlight. Use according to directions -- as too much exposure can cause insomnia and other difficulties.

Manage the holidays to fit your own best interests.

Take enough vitamin D. Vitamin D | Vitamin D Council | Providing information on Vitamin D

Meds as prescribed.

Exercise.
Healthy diet.


WC

I just set up my SAD light. I haven't used one in a couple years. I think you are supposed to only use them in the morning.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I use a SAD lamp that it better for people with bipolar than full-spectrum light. It is blue light only (which is what we need) and it tends to cause less mania. It's also adjustable in intensity which helps a lot; I need it to be quite low to be effective without being too stimulating. It's also a bit faster; I think broad sprectrum light is supposed to be 30 minutes/day and this is 15. It is not super cheap but is LED so it should last so long that the cost per year is very minimal. It's made by Phillips and I ordered it online. I can't use it every year, if I'm hypomanic or manic at all it will just make me manic or mixed, but years like this one it helps. I start at just 5 minutes at a very low setting and gradually go up.