Beating SAD

Have you tried the special lights they have for this?

My mother has one of these lights and it really helps her. Also, getting out in the sun and getting as much vitamins A and D can do wonders. Going for a walk also helps both mentally and physically. I understand, sometimes easier said than done, but you have support here!

I go to a tanning bed once a week during the winter just for this reason.

I'm sorry you feel this way! I totally understand.
Find a new hobby, get out of the house as much as you can. Don't isolate yourself. Find something that you enjoy doing.
Maybe time to talk to the doctor?
Good luck!

Vitamin D3

Try Light therapy. Just add some old fashioned 100 Wat light bulbs to a room you spend time in and leave them on for an hour a day. With depression every little bit helps. Forcing yourself to exercise helps too. I know when the depression hits it is the last thing you want to hear but it really does help.
Good luck!

There are some really interesting theories out there basically comparing SAD to the hibernation response in many mammals (which is basically a physically depressed state), so I try to treat it as such and this works for me. The idea I use is to keep my body believing that it's summer.

Get as much natural sun light as you can...in through your eyes and on the skin. Be greedy for it. Treat sunshine like oxygen.
I have a natural light spectrum lamp in my cube and it seems to help.
Workout hard, regularly (even if you have to force yourself to just take that first step!
Combine moving the body with getting sun exposure when possible.
Vitamin D3 can help keep the body thinking it's getting sun.

There is certainly other wondeful advice above. If all this still does not quite do it definitely see the Doc about adjusting meds...that is just what it takes sometimes. Good luck!

Fellow SAD sufferer so I recognize those feelings...I certainly understand the hesitation to med increases...maybe just need to switch to a different one- not necessarily more?? Excercising can help get those endorphins up (at least temporarily). Even on my med (I take the lowest dose possible) too many gloomy gray days in a row in the winter and I get my photo therapy light out. You can look for them on ebay or amazon...I got two under $100 each...regular bulbs don't work as well- need to be these special kind that mimic sunlight- also I hit a tanner a couple times a month- just for the heliotherapy. See a physician or your psychologist for help. In the end- whatever it takes beats living in the misery- hope you find some improvement- XXXX hugs!

I'll post here so the rest can see, I already answered on your profile.

Here's what I do: 1. I make sure to get outside each day. Even in the winter (see my profile pic). 2. I make sure to stick to my gym schedule no matter how tough it is; 3. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night; 4. don't sit home and feel sorry for myself (like I did last night...put on my PJs by 6pm and skipped the gym). I also have an office with lots of sunshine! It's an uphill battle but I have to tough it out each year. (yes, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 1994 so my doctors keep a close eye on me). If everything is in balance I stay well.

I go to a tanning bed once a week during the winter just for this reason.

I agree! Heliotherapy has always worked for me!

CANCER runs in my family so this is not an option. Plus, I'm nearly 35 and wrinkle free (spend lots of time outdoors). When you're 45 you are going to regret the hours spent tanning.

I think I'm suffering from seasonal affective disorder. It was around this time a couple years ago that I fell into a deep depression and I've been on medication since. Now, I'm feeling pretty bad again. I just want to hide under the covers, watch TV and eat cheese. I don't want to up my meds, but I have to get out of this funk. Cheese is fattening!

I didn't read the responses, so forgive me if I'm repeating.

Vitamin D. Lots of it. I take 4000 IU in the winter, but check with your doctor first to make sure that's ok for you.

Eat more protein. It helps.

Drink more water. It helps too.

Lemon tea with honey and cinnamon is great for your body and your mood. Bigelow's I Love Lemon is my favorite.

Exercise! Even if you don't want to. Even if it's just 5 minutes of marching in place. It will help.

Turn on all the lights in the house. You need light. The sun lamps are the best option, but they're pricey, so if you can't get one, at least turn on your regular lights.

Get off the computer and into the real world! Do something that refreshes your spirit. If you like to read, read. If you like to play video games, play one. Do something that actively involves your mind and/or body rather than passively hanging out online or watching tv. Seriously. I know you *want* to veg, but that's not actually what you *need* or what will make you feel better. Depression tricks you into doing all the wrong things because it doesn't want to let you go. So whatever depression makes you feel like doing, do the opposite. I've been dealing with this for over 2 decades, so trust me on this one.

Are you in therapy in addition to the medication? For most people, medication only treats the symptoms and doesn't actually help you learn how to cope, so you will have a hard time breaking the cycle just with the meds. I would suggest getting into therapy if you aren't already.

I disagree with the therapy idea. I mean, it can help some but for me it really does not. I find that reading a lot, spending time with friends and family, and keeping my mind busy help best. Of course, have a psychiatrist managing your meds and regular appointments with them!!!

Don't you have therapy if you see a psychiatrist? Surely he/she doesn't just hand you a script and toss you out the door.

One thing that has helped me is just keeping this in mind: As of December 21/22, the days start getting longer and we get more sunshine back in our day - 3 min per day, if memory serves. I know that doesn't seem like much to go on, but for me it really helps. I look forward to the lengthening of the days, and if I remember to I try to do something to commemorate the solstice and celebrate the return of the sunshine.

From a more practical standpoint - I agree with others to check with your doctor. Your meds could probably stand a tweak.

The amount of daylight you gain back per day actually depends on where you are and does vary a little bit each day. For instance, in interior Alaska, we get around 7 minutes back each day, but we are quite dark right now (sunrise at 10:30am and sunset at 3:30 right now and we'll lose about 2 1/2 more hours before the solstice hits).

I think the advice given so far has been very good.. vitamin D is a lifesaver, which I actually take year round. Exercise helps a lot and those full spectrum lights are great and very inexpensive now!

~~Veronica

Agreed! ^^