[mcl6136]

I'll be starting therapy again and it strikes me that a lot of my issues tend to snowball (pun intended) at this time of the year.

Less light. More darkness. Eating too much, sitting even more and the specter of the holidays already hanging heavily on me. Besides Halloween, none of the upcoming days of cheer and togetherness really fit for me and my family --at least not according to Hollywood and Hallmark are selling.

So I want to at least contextualize this a bit when I see a new T.

I'm thinking I'll say...

"My problems tend to peak at this point in the year. You're seeing me at my worst. I'm better in June...honestly! In fact, filtered through the glow of summer sunlight, my bitter and negative thoughts seem like they come from another person entirely -- a person who would never think to enter a therapist's office. In fact, you might consider me two clients in one: Jekkyl and Hyde."

No question here just a rant. Sorry

Agreed on all counts...I don't feel better until spring again. I was looking at those SAD lights online and will probably get one since I haven't tried one before, but I figure some people swear by them.

Anyway, I think your explanation sounds great. Your T will have an idea of what to expect from you in the future and also see how self aware you are of your own reaction to the seasonal change now.

[growlycat]

I'm starting to feel it too. The lack of light really gets to me. No amount of full spectrum light bulbs fixes it for me.

[pbutton]

I probably need to get a light. I hate fall, winter, and everything associated with them. Barf.

[stopdog]

I am bothered by grey weather - a couple of days without sun and I get down.

[bunnylove45]

I'm right with you with the seasonal mood changes. I was born and raised in sunny, non snowy California. Never affected by seasonal changes. I moved to snowy, icy New Hampshire 13 years ago and sure enough soon as November hits I loom into a deep "I hate Winter" mantra that last up until April.

It's not just the short dark days, but the bitter cold temps, the snow, the ice and all the safety issues that go along with that scenario.

I already made a comment to my therapist this past session about the 'upcoming Winter', even though it's months away.

[WikidPissah]

I'm with you on that. I love the fall, crisp air, apples, pumpkins, foliage...but as the sunlight gets less and less my mood definitely dips. I have an awful time on cloudy rainy mornings, so I know it's the lack of sunlight. I am thinking of getting a full spectrum light for myself, it really helps a friend of mine.

[Arha]

I luckily haven't lived in that sort of climate, but if we get a week of drizzly grey days, or even if I get stuck behind my desk and don't look outside enough it affects my mood.

I think no matter what the weather, it is very important to get outside daily, and see something natural. There have been many studies that showed people in hospital get better much faster if they can see trees and living things from their window.
Perhaps setting up a bird feeder might suit some people? One that you can top up daily at a regular time. If you can't do it where you live, perhaps a handful of seeds set somewhere outside during your work break? A friend does this at breakfast time through winter, and says it really lifts her mood. She feels part of a world beyond the human drudge.