[A_Space_Between]

It's been really cloudy and rainy here for the past few days (most likely courtesy Hurricane Sandy), & I'm in a really strange mood. I don't think I've really experienced it before quite like this. I just feel devoid of everything, and quite tired & unmotivated. It makes me feel kind of like I'm outside of myself or something. Like, I don't feel anything, so how can I really be here?

[Leed]

It sounds like you may have S.A.D. -- Seasonal Affective Disorder. Have you noticed this when other seasons change, like when winter is changing into Spring, or Spring into Summer, or Summer into Fall, etc.? It can really throw alot of us for a loop.

I have SAD and oh brother -- if I wasn't on an antidepressant, I'd probably be in the nut house. LOL Even with the A/D, I can STILL feel some sadness and a bit of the blahs.

Why not talk with your doctor about this and see what he has to say. He may want to send you to a therapist or put you on an A/D. But Seasonal Affective Disorder is REAL and it affects millions of people. So talk to your doctor. He can help. God bless & please take care. Hugs, Lee

[Odee]

I've been progressing very well lately with correlation to my new prescription, but I've definitely had two horrible crashes twice now, both during weeks when the weather was just muggy crap. That is including this week.

Even before I had any severe issues I noticed that I can become very 'blah' in the winter but it was very manageable. Within the past year and a half I have noticed I sleep better in the winter and then follow a pattern of very little sleep in the summer (always waking up with the sun.)

The past couple of months I've been trying to find ways to be outside whenever the sun in shining. I feel guilty whenever I miss a chance! Seasonal Affective disorder probably affects more people than we think -- the highest suicide rates are apparently in the Scandinavian countries -- high latitudes that experience much much less sun in the winter.

[Leed]

You can get the special 'lamps' that are specially for S.A.D. and you sit under them for a certain amount of time (and no more). I think you can get them and Bed, Bath and Beyond and I'm sure other places too. I can't for the life of me remember the actual names of them. But if you just ask for lamps for S.A.D. I'm sure you'll find one.

Many people have them and they work great. I don't have one (yet).

[LucyG]

I find the dark, dank days in the Pacific Northwest absolutely drain me of all energy. I had the full spectrum lights, and they definately help, but there's something about low light that leaves me exhausted.

I also find I can't sleep when storms are approaching, and I don't think it has much to do with low barometric pressure as some sort of electomagnetic type thing. It happens with full moon, when it's windy, rainy and foggy.

[A_Space_Between]

Well I'm actually feeling better today, so maybe yesterday was a fluke. Although I am suspicious that I may have mild S.A.D. It's hard to tell though. I definitely don't crave carbs or gain weight in the winter. Plus it could just be that on dreary days, I think more about whether or not my mood is down. On the other hand, I have noticed that I can have a lot more energy & less fatigue on sunny ones.

[Odee]

I definitely recommend taking vitamins with vitamin D and just soaking up sun outside (not behind a window) on sunny days.