[amoeba86]

Anyone here suffer from this? How do you cope with it? What strategies have you used that worked well in the past?

I guess that you are getting a real head start if you are talking about winter SAD. Believe it or not, I get SAD in the summer months. I don't like the summer months that much because of the heat and long daylight. Also it seems less quiet for me. Where I live, it has not been a very hot summer. So at least that's OK for me.

One nice thing about summer with the longer daylight is that I can ride my bike after work. I guess that's the way I get through the summer doldrums for me.

[amoeba86]

Originally Posted by will19

I guess that you are getting a real head start if you are talking about winter SAD. Believe it or not, I get SAD in the summer months. I don't like the summer months that much because of the heat and long daylight. Also it seems less quiet for me. Where I live, it has not been a very hot summer. So at least that's OK for me.

One nice thing about summer with the longer daylight is that I can ride my bike after work. I guess that's the way I get through the summer doldrums for me.

Yeah Im starting to take vitamin D already since the days are getting shorter. I know there are people who get it in the summer as well.

[too SHy]

I feel SAD when winter is coming on. Just filled with dread. 5-HTP helped me alot but my T said it does the same thing as Effexor, I'm already on. Winters last forever here, like 6or7 months! At least the creeps and the gang bangers stay inside mostly, the only good thing about winter! peace Hang on

[Little Lulu]

I definitely get the winter blues. It is so gray much of the winter where we live and that wears on me! We live near a YMCA that has an indoor pool. Getting in that pool in the winter helps trick my mind into thinking it is warmer than it actually is. Plus, I get to shed those heavy clothes and wear my bathing suit and it feels like I have been set free. When I didn't have access to an indoor pool, I used to soak in the tub in the evening. That felt nice. It helps me to walk outside, even when it is cold. I have some boots just for that. I also try to keep the blinds in the house open as much as possible and sit near the window to get as much light as possible. I like gardening and looking through catalogs in the winter is helpful ... I dream about what I will plant in the spring, most of which I never accomplish but whatever ... I have a friend who leaves her Christmas tree up most of Dec. and Jan. and plugs the lights in every night. She says looking at them helps her mood.

[amoeba86]

Originally Posted by too SHy

I feel SAD when winter is coming on. Just filled with dread. 5-HTP helped me alot but my T said it does the same thing as Effexor, I'm already on. Winters last forever here, like 6or7 months! At least the creeps and the gang bangers stay inside mostly, the only good thing about winter! peace Hang on

I always wondered about 5ht, I hear you're not suppose to to take it while on an SSRI since you can get serotonin overload.

[avlady]

I suffer from SAD and find it hard not to be depresssed all through january is the worst. i take vitamin D as my levels are low and i also take a vitamin supplement.

[JaneHB]

In the beginning, it didn't occur to me that I might suffer from SAD but I really struggle in the winter months and wish I could hibernate. Like many, I have a busy job which keeps me inside during daylight hours, So for the last 2 years I have made an effort to get out and about at lunchtime. I also invested in a 'SAD lamp' - chose the Phillips go LITE and it has really worked well for me. Winter still gets me down but I believe that using the lamp lifted me and helped me to cope better with the drudgery of winter weather and darkness.