S.a.d.

[Ivan Lendl]

Ive always lived near the ocean, Jersey, California, and now Virginia Beach where people wear flip-flops all year round (even though its 40 degrees out today). I would kill myself if I lived more than 1 hour from the ocean. Winter here just started about 2 weeks ago (before that it was 70 degrees out) and winter will end here around april(theres not much spring or fall here it goes from summer to winter and winter to summer with little in between), yet people still bithc and moan about the cold. I used to scoff at people that complained about 40 degree weather but recently I too found myself pissed off at it being cold. All that 'hey Im tough I can take the cold' is all good, but when it comes down to it you cant beat 70 degree weather and girls in thongs.

 

[Yooper]

SAD affects me, too. Some of the things I've done include adding more and bigger windows to our house, painting the inside of the house white to reflect light, etc. We also take a winter trip each winter to a warm tropical place. Last winter I played hockey (up until my teammate broke my leg) and the exercise helped tremendously. I forced myself to be active- snowshoeing, skiing, hockey, etc. This winter, my leg is just beginning to heal so my activities are curtailed and it's harder.

It's bitter cold where we live, but most days are sunny. Only a few days go by without the sun shining. We went to Alaska two summers ago and I was almost suicidal in 10 days, after gray, drizzling days when the sun never did come out. I do not like cold (in fact, I'm heading back to the hockey rink now to watch my daugher, and I'm dreading it), but I can take it much better if the sun is shining.

 

[Biermann]

Well, what the heck I'll chime in.

I've got a clinical, low-grade depression, but I believe its made worse by S.A.D. Usually around the time of my birthday (last week) I'm dang near close to miserable. It's usually about that time when I want to pack up some camping gear, tell my boss to screw off and head south for a week, anywhere, in the woods where it's warmer.

This winter, I feared it would be worse. Getting a divorce, dealing with seeing my kids less, stress about money, etc... and I was right, it did get worse.

I'd been off meds (or that 'junk' as it was referred to earlier in the thread ) for some time, and didn't really relish the thought of going back on them. My last experience on SSRIs (Paxil to be specific) was bad. So after much thought, much discussion with Shimms (she saved my life) and talking to my doctor about it, I went back on meds, this time on Cymbalta. It's made a HUGE difference.

Finding this hobby has been great too.

All that said, I'm still antsy as HELL for Spring to arrive. I'd rather be camping, canoeing, hiking, biking.. ANYTHING as long as it gets me outside and into the sun.

Don't discount meds. For some people, they're extremely helpful.

I took an SSRI for awhile after my neurologist put me on a medicine that had depression as a chief side effect. I found that they actually made me manic, which sucked.

That said, I'm like you and can't wait for spring to get here. I'm beginning to think it won't come.

 

[Biermann]

Outside in shorts at 12 degrees? Shiver!!!!

Don't forget that we are made out of meat and water, both of which will start to freeze below 32 degrees!


And on another note, are there people who simply never experience S.A.D? Those for whom the northern winters are no big deal?

Right now I want to go find the scientists who claim that white people are adapted to cold environments and kick their A$$.

 

[Ize]

What's sad? Sad is me walking out of the house for the first time today in a fleece when it was right around 30 and actually saying to myself, "Hey, it's not that bad out". Pitiful.

That being said the forecast is now for 6 to 8 inches of the white crap in my neck of the woods Monday night into Tuesday. To my brethren in the NY area dealing with snow measured in ft. every other day, my aplogies, but I still hate the white bullsh!t.

Ize

 

[Pumbaa]

What's sad? Sad is me walking out of the house for the first time today in a fleece when it was right around 30 and actually saying to myself, "Hey, it's not that bad out". Pitiful.

ROFLMAO I was thinking the same thing while I was filling up my wifes car today after dropping off my step son, except it was dark and about 20 . . . still a HELL of a lot nicer ten the 0 I was standing in last night at a car wreck for 30 minutes

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

Man, guess I'm crazy or something, but I hate hot days and LOVE the cold weather. I'm doing everything I can to talk SWMBO into letting us move to Montanta or Idaho. I grew up in Alabama and I hate getting in my car and all of the sudden I'm sweating puddles. I can't stand being so hot I feel like I'm about to pass out. I want to be somewhere where it hardly every gets over 80.

Maybe after living in the cold for a few years it gets to you, but right now, all I want to do is trout fish, brew, hunt and ski... and I don't want to sweat when I'm not working out.

 

[SOB]

It should be good for you mmditter, i almost went to the beach today... i'll keep my finger crossed for you and I that we dont get a cold front, those 60 degrees days are SO cold!

Yeah...I got a finger for ya...