[Amanda_1981]

I've been telling myself over and over again "I will not get depressed this winter.. I will not get depressed this winter"... I've been really good at putting on a 'happy' act and not letting on to my family and friends that I've been feeling really... down lately. It's like as soon as winter comes, I suddenly become so emotional and sensitive to everything.. I start to obsess over things that I normally wouldn't obsess over.. I think that people don't like me or that they're talking about me behind my back.. I start to make all these assumptions and jump to the worst case scenerio conclusions over the simplest things. I find lately even going on facebook is upsetting me if I see one of my friends replies to someone else but not to me. I don't understand how I can be more rational in the summer and suddenly as soon as winter hits, I become overly paranoid about everything and start crying for no reason or for something that normally wouldn't bother me.

Anyone have any coping mechanisms they use during the peak of your depressive states? I'm considering getting one of those lamps that is supposed to help seasonal depression but I heard they're really expensive. I think I just need to distract myself and limit my computer use during this time.. I just hate that I'm so emotional during this time and that everything seems to be upsetting me.

[Ascension]

Stupid evil cold wintry coldness. I personally normally love this time of year, but since I have a home I just purchased in desperate need of roofing work and new windows I can't wait for it to be spring so I can fix my house and get out from under the weight of knowing it needs to be done.

Tending to my plants has worked for me this year to some degree. I love to cook so I started a small inside garden with basil, and rosemary and sage and such and decided to turn my utility room into a small garden. It tricks me into thinking spring for a short time and all the green in there is nice to see when it's so bad outside.

[Rohag]

Hi, Amanda_1981! Sorry to hear you suffer from Winter Poisoning.

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

Anyone have any coping mechanisms they use during the peak of your depressive states?

Some tentative ideas drawn from my experience - your mileage may vary:

• Recognize and accept you are in a depressive low. (To be fair, alternate approaches exist. Some people advocate not accepting your state and using positive thinking or positive affirmations to energize oneself against the depression. That approach has not worked for me; it does work for others.)
• Adjust your activities accordingly to accommodate your condition. This is analogous to accommodating a flu or broken limb.
• Pamper yourself - whatever "pampering" means to you.
• Avoid making significant decisions; put them off till the worst of the depressive episode passes.
• Avoid or put off triggering encounters/tasks/situations.
• Do only what is necessary; conserve your psychic energies.
• Do not attempt to maximize or impose efficiency on whatever activities you are able to undertake (I personally find trying to be "efficient" while significantly depressed actually undermines my feeble attempts to be minimally productive).
• Get as much refreshing sleep as much as you can.
• Etc.

Originally Posted by Amanda_1981

I'm considering getting one of those lamps that is supposed to help seasonal depression but I heard they're really expensive.

My experience with a really expensive "light box" was less than helpful. Light therapy does help many people, though. Look up "full spectrum lighting" for possibly less-expensive options.

Best wishes for dealing with winter!

[amante]

Just think the spring is going to be around the corner in no time at all. I hope that the next several weeks fly by fast for you so that you can lift your spirits with a new season upon us all.

[lynn P.]

You could try shopping around for those light lamps Shoppers Drug Market has them. Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked - this could be a factor. Experts now agree we should all be taking 1000mg of vitamin D. I know its cold but force yourself to go for a walk, especially if it's sunny outside. I hope you feel better and I'm looking forward to spring too.

[amante]

I agree with Lynn, a good brisk walk outdoors might lift you. Do you have a dog that could come along for that walk. great therapy.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by amante

I agree with Lynn, a good brisk walk outdoors might lift you. Do you have a dog that could come along for that walk. great therapy.

I'll take the liberty to answer this for Amanda. Oh yes she has a beautiful German Shepard and he's the famous paper towel shredder, that we've all had the pleasure of seeing. He'a a cutie.

[Amanda_1981]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.. I just need to get through these next two months and then things will hopefully be better. I just hate feeling this way.. I hate crying all the time for no reason (or for something minor) and I hate feeling like everyone is against me and that no one cares. I know these paranoid feelings will pass once the winter is over and I do realize that the anniversary of my cousin and grandma's deaths which are soon approaching is probably also not helping my state of mind but I just wish I could stop feeling like this and that I wasn't so easily upset by everything. The good news is, I finally am sleeping again.. (have to admit, my insomnia sure gets better when I'm depressed and that's probably the only time that I do actually sleep quite a bit). And yes, I do have a wonderful german shepherd who is always right by my side and I don't know what I would do without him.. last night he could tell I was upset and when he heard me crying he ran and jumped on my bed and layed right beside me and gave me kisses. He's the best therapist I could ever have

Thanks again everyone for all your support.. I appreciate it and am glad to have such caring and sweet friends here at PC. ((((((((((((hugs to all))))))))))))))))) And Lynn, thanks for making me smile when I read your previous post about Jasper

[amante]

Amanda,
See Lynn made you smile and that's a very lifting feeling. I'm sure your dog is your best friend. you are right - they are the best therapists in the world. I have 2 goofy great danes, they are my world too. I am glad you are sleeping better, sleep is always a good thing. I'm sure the anniversary timing is always a hard time to get through. Hang in there.

Hi Amanda,
I don't really have a way to cope with my worse month which happens to be January. I am happy it is gone. I just dragged through it January is the month that I spend the most time being depressed.. Besides January I have an extremely hard time getting through summer. Here in Florida it is very humid in summer so I try to stay in most of the time. The heat makes me feel so weak. Though I hate summers here I wouldn't say that I am depressed more, just uncomfortable. Peace - Dennis