S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

Ive suffered from depression for about 10 years, and it always gets worse in the winter. Id hoped to live in a sunny climate, but as it seems likely Im gonna spend the next 5 years in Chicago, Im looking to take preventative measures to try and minimise the pain. Generic anti-depression stuff like exercise, keeping myself busy I will attempt. Having a good group of friends, hopefully a gf etc. will also help. But Id like specific advice from anyone on how to stop feeling gloomy when its 18:00 and already pitch black, or when its practically impossible to go out of your house.

Thanks a lot,

D

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

This is your first winter in chicago right? It's been waaay worse than normal. Last year it was sunny (although cold) all the time.



Also, get a grow lamp for your house

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

One of my best friend's father started this company, worth checking out the webpage at least.

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

chicago was actually pretty good till february but it should warm up soon dont worry.

you should see some sox/cubs games

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

Dean,

My sister has this.

1- they make lights to help combat SAD

2- drugs

3- she just kinda accepts that winter will be less awesome.

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

[ QUOTE ]
chicago was actually pretty good till february but it should warm up soon dont worry.


[/ QUOTE ]

Right - until the end of Jan I really couldnt understand why everyone had told me 'You're going to Chicago? Watch out for the winter - it's really rough'!

Then Feb hit and I realised 'Oh boyyyyyyyyyyyy'

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

Re. drugs - I went to see a psychologist in London last week and he suggested I start antidepressants at the end of fall, say October, and take them until April - this seems wise and Im probably going to do it.

D

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

moving to SD to make a documentary about me seems like the obvious cure.

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

i usually get this every february, but this winter (northeast ohio) hasn't been that bad...

december, i actually golfed 6 times, which never happens. january/february were horrible, but we got 5 calamity days for snow/cold, so as bad as it was, i wasn't at work...

we just got another 5 inches last night pretty unexpectedly, and as a baseball coach, it sucks that we haven't been outside yet, but supposedly this weekend it might hit 60...

overall, this winter was above-average bad, i guess, there was a stretch of 10 days where we didn't get above a windchill of 0, and 25 days where we weren't above freezing, but for whatever reason, it didn't [censored] with me as bad as it normally does...

that said, i'm ready for shorts and sandals..

Re: S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Right - until the end of Jan I really couldnt understand why everyone had told me 'You're going to Chicago? Watch out for the winter - it's really rough'!

Then Feb hit and I realised 'Oh boyyyyyyyyyyyy'

[/ QUOTE ]

The winters for the last 10 years or so have been mild until this winter. From late Jan til late Feb it never got above 32. Looks like 50's by next week though so its almost over. The summers are the best around here so Im sure you will enjoy it, it falls on a weekend this year!