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Tis the Season...S.A.D.

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Posted 11/10/2007 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have been dreading this time of year since April and now it is here I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to combat seasonal depression.

I have already been pretty depressed this summer and am just coming out of it, but now that winter is fast approaching and I am still under the same stress as I was early this year I am afraid that I will be back in that dark hopeless hole I was in.

From January to March of this year I was unemployed and very anxious about everything.  I bascially sat in the dark everyday crying and unable to sleep...and when I did sleep I hated that I had to wake the next day.  I constantly felt a feeling of falling into a bottomless pit of despair.

Thus I really don't want to go back to that place again and being in the U.S. with no job or health insurance...medication isn't an option...

At the moment I am supposedly start working again soon, but the offer isn't official yet.  I also realized that the man that I thought I would spend the rest of my life with doesn't love me and now lives over a 1000 miles away, and I am starting to feel really lonely.

So are there any other things I can do to help me get through this season?

 

Posted 11/10/2007 10:21 AM (GMT 0)
Christy
So many people suffer from this,and the suggestions that I have seen is basically getting out into the light. Taking walks during the day,even if it is walking the mall...
Also,they know how to treat this now. So have you made an appt with your doctor?
You should not have to suffer all winter.

I hope the job works out,I know how hard it is on the depression to not have one.


Shy
Posted 11/10/2007 12:31 PM (GMT 0)

Have you thought about buying a lightbox? It is a box that emits light at the same frequency as sunlight so it helps alleviate depresion and SAD in the winter. They can be expensive but it might be possible to get a second hand one. It is a good alternative to meds and it is proven to work in a lot of cases.

I hope this helps

Darren

Posted 11/10/2007 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ChristyCheri,

As Darren mentioned, light boxes can be very effective to reduce and/or eliminate symptoms of depression associated with SAD. I sit in front of one every morning as soon as I wake for 30 minutes and it's worked wonders! They can be expensive (a little more than a $100), but I rationalized it by putting it on my credit card and getting one that had a 30 day money-back guarantee. I was impressed with the results after the first session.

Good luck!
Sadsong
Posted 11/10/2007 5:26 PM (GMT 0)

christycheri924 said...
I have been dreading this time of year since April and now it is here I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to combat seasonal depression.

I have already been pretty depressed this summer and am just coming out of it, but now that winter is fast approaching and I am still under the same stress as I was early this year I am afraid that I will be back in that dark hopeless hole I was in.

From January to March of this year I was unemployed and very anxious about everything.  I bascially sat in the dark everyday crying and unable to sleep...and when I did sleep I hated that I had to wake the next day.  I constantly felt a feeling of falling into a bottomless pit of despair.

Thus I really don't want to go back to that place again and being in the U.S. with no job or health insurance...medication isn't an option...

At the moment I am supposedly start working again soon, but the offer isn't official yet.  I also realized that the man that I thought I would spend the rest of my life with doesn't love me and now lives over a 1000 miles away, and I am starting to feel really lonely.

So are there any other things I can do to help me get through this season?

Have you considered volunteering your time this holiday season?  I know you are waiting to hear back on the job you want.  However, stopping by the local mission or tutoring at your area library could put some things into perspective for you.  Times are hard and you can make a difference in your life and the lives of others by just giving a helping hand.  It could take your mind off of the down side of life.  :-)
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