Thursday 25 October 2007

SAD

I'm SAD. I'm affected by Seasonal Affected Disorder. The Winter Blues. I've usually not been affected this much until December. Usually the symptoms start in October and then increase until peak at end of the year. If I manage to live long enough to see February out then in March I start to think "I'll live another year". But this year I just didn't feel the lift that sunnier summer weather usually brings along.

I ordered a small compact lightbox on Monday. It arrived yesterday and as I write it is sitting in front of me. I'm aiming for an hour a day and will see if there is any improvement over the next couple of weeks. The company that sent the light box also enclosed a leaflet on SAD - along with their other light products! I was interested to see that along with the usual depression, over sleeping, feeling tired, craving sugar, sweet things and carbohydrates that some of the other symptoms could be 'flu like symptoms' and 'pains in muscles'. YES - I have both of these too. In fact have had these problems for most of this year. It may be that if light therapy does work then I could end up feeling better than I have for many a year. I'm pleased to have it this morning as it is still very dark and grey even though it is now 8.40 am.

There is another health reason that affects me which may have some bearing on my need for light therapy. But that I will share with you all on another day towards the end of the month.

9 comments:

Glamourpuss said...

As a fellow sufferer, I can report that light therapy really helps me. I started mine last week because like you, I really missed out on the summer sun this year. Good luck with it.

Puss

Flowerpot said...

I do hope this works, thinker. Keep us posted and I wonder what your other health problem is.

Penny Pincher said...

Perhaps it could be gender re-alignment?! ;-) {Joke} Your'e welcome to guess.

Penny Pincher said...

Thanks Puss - will keep everyone posted on this but today I have the stomach bug that is going around the district .... So all I'm doing today is a bit of blogging and quite a bit of *****ing. 8-(

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about the SAD. (You've mentioned it to me a bit but this is the first publicly so here's my first public acknowledgement). My mom also has SAD and a few other issues - she gets depressed and emotional very easily. Anyway, I'm hoping that lightbox does help out. It is what the doctor told my mom to get also. She now has hers but I have to keep telling her to use it. I've gotten her some crafts to do too so she can do them while sitting under her light. I hope you feel better, Lady Thinker. I hate to think of you with the bug. I hope you have some ginger ale and some crackers - those always help me through.

Mark Wadsworth said...

Best of luck with the light box. Did you ever give the bread-free diet a go?

merry weather said...

How interesting LT - look forward to hearing if it works. I miss the sun in the winter, good luck with the box!

Penny Pincher said...

Back to normal today thank you all - was good to be lazy yesterday though.

No Mark - I have to confess i've had such a craving for carbs and chocs that not tried bread free yet. A sandwich is such a quick and easy lunch ....

Merryw - i'll keep you posted about the lightbox therapy ...

Mark Wadsworth said...

I never saiianything about staying of choccy, it's good stuff is choccy.