Does anyone else suffer from seasonal mood disorders?

**Nicotine** · 11-15-2012, 12:10 AM

I find this time of year I get down in the dumps. even my training is suffering, don't want to be around people, it takes it's toll on my relationship, I feel horrible.

It's a pattern for me. I have found tanning twice a week for about 10 mins, taking vitamin D3 capsules once a day - kinda helps..but not enough.

For those that get severely affected by the "winter blues", what do you do?

**MickeyKnox** · 11-15-2012, 12:24 AM

I love winter! So, no not me. lol

**Bonaparte** · 11-15-2012, 12:25 AM

I realize this is a serious topic, but the term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)...which is just humorous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasona...ctive_disorder

**bigZthedestroyer** · 11-15-2012, 12:58 AM

I don't have any problems with it. When I first moved to Oregon people were telling me about it and I thought it was a joke. It turns out its not. There are plenty of good seasonal beers that come out during winter! Lol. I'd say maybe tan a little more or but a S.A.D lamp. I don't know I thts the correct term but they are out there.

**wh1spa** · 11-15-2012, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by Bonaparte

I realize this is a serious topic, but the term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)...which is just humorous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasona...ctive_disorder

Sorry but LMFAO.. =\

**cherrydrpepper** · 11-15-2012, 01:16 AM

What I basically do to help with this problem is I live in Florida. I have a few remedies I endulge in

New Jersey - I make fun of you

New York - I make fun of you

Anywhere north - I make fun of you

California - I shit on you

Other places - I shit and pee on you

Hope this helps.

**Firepal** · 11-15-2012, 01:42 AM

Yeah I always get a lil down once it starts getting dark but soon as snowboarding starts its all good

**Shol'va** · 11-15-2012, 11:07 AM

It bothers me every winter when the time falls back one hour, until my body gets adjusted to the shorter hours of daylight and darkness at an earlier time. That part sucks. But after about a month I'm back on track. One has to work through it and sometimes that isn't easy. But it sounds like you are doing your best to over come it all. Hey whatever it takes.

**Nicotine** · 11-15-2012, 11:24 AM

I may add b12 to my HRT. Injectable.

**Times Roman** · 11-15-2012, 11:58 AM

Nic,

It's not as uncommon as you think. In some cases, there is a genetic predisposition for it, as it occassionally clusters in families. Since it is triggered by sunlight, or to be precise, the lack of it in our circadian cycle over a 24 hour period, then there are two things you can do:

1) Invest in a sunlamp, and use it to offset the shortening of the day light hours. This is a common treatment.
2) Try melatonin, which is a sleep cycle regulator. Depression (a form of what you have) can be triggered by an incomplete sleep cycle. The melatonin will help improve this for you.

Good luck!
---Roman

**Juced_porkchop** · 11-15-2012, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Nicotine

I find this time of year I get down in the dumps. even my training is suffering, don't want to be around people, it takes it's toll on my relationship, I feel horrible.

It's a pattern for me. I have found tanning twice a week for about 10 mins, taking vitamin D3 capsules once a day - kinda helps..but not enough.

For those that get severely affected by the "winter blues", what do you do?

I am also like this.
I take 5000iu VitD D3 ed and try to get out as much as i can. light to the face and eyes helps. Still hate winter though.

**evander87** · 11-15-2012, 01:33 PM

I've been "down in the dumps" since the time change. Maybe it's SAD or not. I don't know. I do still hit the tanning bed and lift but I'm in a funk. I don't know if its the change in the seasons or just my time of the month. I am staying away from the booze as I know when I'm feeling down and have a few too many I get all sobby and crap. So I do what I have to do to get through it.

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**Nicotine** · 11-16-2012, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

Nic,

It's not as uncommon as you think. In some cases, there is a genetic predisposition for it, as it occassionally clusters in families. Since it is triggered by sunlight, or to be precise, the lack of it in our circadian cycle over a 24 hour period, then there are two things you can do:

1) Invest in a sunlamp, and use it to offset the shortening of the day light hours. This is a common treatment.
2) Try melatonin, which is a sleep cycle regulator. Depression (a form of what you have) can be triggered by an incomplete sleep cycle. The melatonin will help improve this for you.

Good luck!
---Roman

Thanks for the post! I know my mom suffered from it badly. I have melatonin. Do you NEED 8 hours If you take it? Tonight I will only get 6.....

Will sun lamps tan or color?

**evander87** · 11-16-2012, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Nicotine

Thanks for the post! I know my mom suffered from it badly. I have melatonin. Do you NEED 8 hours If you take it? Tonight I will only get 6.....

Will sun lamps tan or color?

I take melatonin every night and while it puts me down, it doesn't keep me asleep or make me groggy the next day. Im lucky if I get 6 hours of sleep.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum

**songdog** · 11-16-2012, 11:50 AM

Yes I get depressed at the end of deer season every year

**adamjames** · 11-16-2012, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Nicotine

I find this time of year I get down in the dumps. even my training is suffering, don't want to be around people, it takes it's toll on my relationship, I feel horrible.

It's a pattern for me. I have found tanning twice a week for about 10 mins, taking vitamin D3 capsules once a day - kinda helps..but not enough.

For those that get severely affected by the "winter blues", what do you do?

Humans get happy and humans get sad, dont believ anyone who tells you its a disorder mate its the wheel of life

**Rwy** · 11-16-2012, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by adamjames

Humans get happy and humans get sad, dont believ anyone who tells you its a disorder mate its the wheel of life

I sort of agree. People are very quick to diagnose but at the same time he could truly be feeling affects since it sounds heridatary

I have seasonaly mood swings so I always set something up for me to enjoy

Spring running out doors summer spending at beach by the water fall start playing basket ball, fantasy football

i always try to keep myself occupied with things I enjoy

**adamjames** · 11-16-2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Rwy

I sort of agree. People are very quick to diagnose but at the same time he could truly be feeling affects since it sounds heridatary

I have seasonaly mood swings so I always set something up for me to enjoy

Spring running out doors summer spending at beach by the water fall start playing basket ball, fantasy football

i always try to keep myself occupied with things I enjoy

good for you, keep it up, stay occupied but like i said, its the wheel of life, what goes up must come down, dont fall yourself into thinking you will be happy forever, happiness only exists because of its opposite = sadness, and they are not really opposites because you cant have 1 without the other so there are one and the same, two sides of the same coin, anyway nows not the time for philosophys lol ill shut up

**Times Roman** · 11-16-2012, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Nicotine

Thanks for the post! I know my mom suffered from it badly. I have melatonin. Do you NEED 8 hours If you take it? Tonight I will only get 6.....

Will sun lamps tan or color?

melatonin, for me, really only lasts four hours. i wake up not groggy at all like other sleep aids.

sun lamps theoritically will tan, BUT, really it's for your eyes, not your skin, and the intensity is not nearly as high as a tanning booth

google it and you can learn all abouut it

Good luck!

---Roman

**wh1spa** · 11-16-2012, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

melatonin, for me, really only lasts four hours. i wake up not groggy at all like other sleep aids.

sun lamps theoritically will tan, BUT, really it's for your eyes, not your skin, and the intensity is not nearly as high as a tanning booth

google it and you can learn all abouut it

Good luck!

---Roman

How much Melatonin should we be taking?

**gearbox** · 11-16-2012, 03:55 PM

I take 6 mg (2 pills)

**MuscleInk** · 11-16-2012, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by Bonaparte

I realize this is a serious topic, but the term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)...which is just humorous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasona...ctive_disorder

I agree with you, however, the APA has established criteria for a ddx of SAD or seasons mood disorders

**kelkel** · 11-16-2012, 04:41 PM

To the best of my friggen knowledge I do not f'n suffer from S.A.D. Or any other gawd damn f'n disorder. I'm always a happy SOB.

**Riptorn** · 11-16-2012, 05:05 PM

... particularly sensitive to light, or the lack of it...
...feel better after exposure to bright light... Replace lost sunlight with bright artificial light, and your mood improves...but also getting it at the right time. "The most important time to get light is in the morning,"...

http://www.m.webmd.com/depression/fe...ctive-disorder

Above article cut for the important parts. Had some buds in Alaska who suffered from this. The Air Force puts "daylight" CFB in their light fixtures to help. You can get them at Lowes or Home Depot. They shroud have a Kelvin rating of 6-6800 degrees. That is what mimics daylight. Kelvin not Lumens. If your hardware store doesn't have them then saltwater/tropical fish stores carry them as well. Tanning sessions and vit D also help.