Depression and seasons change

Hello everyone!!! I don't post often but I do read the board all the time. Guess there are times I feel I don't have much to contribute.

Anyhow I've noticed something the last few years. Seems when the seasons change from summer to fall, my depression worsens. Anyone else notice this? I'm not really sure if it's the though of the impending winter (I live in PA), heating bills, etc. Or if it actually has something to do with the barometric pressure changes or whatever.

The last few weeks have been really bad for me. I'm on 40 mg celexa (well the generic version). I gave up fighting the insurance company to cover the cymbalta. I try and put on a happy face for my family and at work but deep down I'm dying inside.

Thanks for listening.

Have you tried a lite box? I use to use one. Also taking some vitamin D3 will help you. I take it all year around but more in the winter. You can take a lot of it with out any adverse effects. I was taking 3000iu at first. Now I take about 1000 a day.

I would talk to a psychiatrist about the light box if you don't already have one. They really do help. You can turn it on for about 30 minutes in the morning when drinking coffee or reading.

I hope that you find out what works for you. Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

Hi Jeanne,

I always suffer from S.A.D. Tune into your usual backups for depression: therapy, meds, etc, as well as a light box. Let your psych know what you're experiencing, and maybe you can get a boost to your usual regime.

serafena

Jeannie,
Lovely name you have there... I suffer from S.A.D. and chronic depression along with fibro. I've been able to manage very well on generic prozac (Sams Club Pharmacy, $10 for 3 months) along with a light box I bought for myself online on eBay. No insurance so I make the best of what I can. The light box (mine is called a Happy Lite) is a Godsend! Good luck with this.

thanks for sharing maz. good to see you posting. take care. jamie.

 

Purely out of interest/curiosity, does anyone else suffer in summer like me? Or am I just weird? lol

Honestly, sunny, warm weather actually distresses me and I see a noticeable change in my emotions. Summer makes me unhappy- which is stupid, cos summer in Australia is actually really awesome!

Love-

Maz XX

Jeanne M, I was interested reading your post. Many of us have S.A.D. I am just the opposite. I have the depression the worst in summer. I love the Autumn with the changing leaves but of course do not look forward to the cold Midwest winters but I do manage. I pretty much nest in the winter and read a lot and do projects. You said there was only 1 psychiatrist in your area but I am wondering if there may be a couselor or therapist such as at a family service or clinic in your area. If there is they usually have a sliding fee schedule.  Can your PCP give you samples of Cymbalta?  Sometimes they are nice enough to do that for you and if it helps you more its worth a try. Please don't feel you don't have enough to say to post on here.  You sound like a very kind and caring person and all the members on this forum would be glad to hear from you. You don't have to write a lot, just if you are having a bad day it helps to write about it. There is always someone here to answer you.You are an important member and all here will help you through the hard times . Try to do the best you can at work, I know it is hard to smile when you feel low inside. I noticed in another of your threads that you mentioned your husband knows about how you feel. Can you get him to read some of the responses people have given you?  Maybe if he knows he may better understand what you are going through. His support would help you and I think it would help him too if he can offer the support you need at home.  I know others who use a lite box and it does seem to help.  Please keep posting and let us help you with ideas and of course the support you need.

Aurora

Post Edited (Aurora60) : 9/20/2009 8:24:07 AM (GMT-6)

Thank you Aurora! One of the reasons I'm kind of afraid to post anything is because I got burned bit time on another depression board where I vented one time and was basically told I do not have depression, suck it up and that's life. And how dare I post trivial vents when so many people there were going through so much more horrible stuff then I was. Kinda ruins ya!

All the counselers that I called do not offer sliding scale and wanted to see me 2-3 times a week. At 40.00 a pop I can't afford that so I've been just using my PCP. Honestly I feel like talking won't even help me. I like to say that I've been depressed since the day I was born. Was considered shy, backwards, not many friends, kept to myself when growing up. Looking back, I'd like to say it was actually the depression.

My doctor wasn't willing to keep giving me free samples of the cymbalta for however long it would take until my insurance decided to cover it so I went back to the celexa and ativan for anxiety.

getting by I do have insurance, always have. My problem is that cymbalta is a tier 3 drug on my prescription plan so it's not usually covered. My pcp did send them a letter with copies of my records stating all the different ad's I've been on over the years and none of them really worked, as the insurance requested and they still denied covering the cymbalta for me. Actuallu kinda glad they did as my copay on a tier 3 drug would be 75.00  a month ajd there in no way we could afford that. I get the celexa for 4.00 a month from walmart. So unless or until cymbalta ever goes generic or they decide it's no longer a tier 3 drug I won't be taking it.

Hi Jenny\y-

You are probably experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder or SADS.  I can tell like clockwork when it is coming on when the days start becoming shorter.  It starts mid-September for me and ends around Mid April.  We don't get enough Sun which helps with depression.

My psychiatrist prescribed a special light lamp for me years ago to help me get through the seasons.