Seasonal affective disorder

Dear Chris,

there is no clear cut answer to your question and to make things worse every single case of bipolar disorder is unique in its own way.

I have found that knowledge and wisdom and sprituality can be of great assistence. When I feel depressed I focus on things that will make me happy rather than give into the monster.

Do not watch the news on TV till you feel better, stay away from negativity as much as possible, put the worries of the world away for a while, surround yourself with beautiful things like intense colours and music find music that will make you feel better whatever that works for you. If you are under stress at work or home strive to find stress free time to give to yourself even if this means away from everyone.

You see while many people believe that nothing can be done the truth is that we can do something. If we focus on positivity than we will still be depressed but to a much lesser extent; if we focus on negativity this will make things worse.

Some people are unable to do anything when depressed so it is also a matter of how serious your depression is. Mine was serious enough and I was initially confined to the bed untill I started to fight and decided that no matter how miserable I was I would pretend to be OK not to anyone else but to respect myself, the good person that I am and in respect of the good qualities that I have. This is wisdom. Wisdom is a tremendous force that can conquer depression and alleviate the sufferings. But unfortunately wisdom, the ability to meditate and to focus, have mostly been lost in our mechanical society. You can do it Chris and I would appreciate if you could let me know how you are going. If you believe that you can manage then you will. If you don't then you won't. Where there is a will there is a way and this applies even to us Bipolars. Hope this helps. Good luck

Alfredo

I just adore Alfredo, such support and wisdom. good advice there.

I can tell you I would always get functionally "sad" for yrs in the fall, and attributed it to the anniversary of both our wedding and my husband's death. ( 7 months married, 7 months pregnant when he had a brain aneurism, 4 1/2 yr coma till he passed)

but then, 20 yrs later my gloomy time came in the spring..the spring? comon, how can you get sad in spring time?!? This year, my most serious bout stole my entire summer.

We're not gonna let that happen to ya, we're all here, you were smart and gave us the heads up.

Put on your game gear.. start some off the wall exercize...rollarskating? be faithful to it. Load up on salmon. omega3 baby!

wear a braclet that reminds ya to keep in gear, reach out to ppl. start a comic strip with photos of your baby.. take a photo everyday maybe in the am? (think future blackmail for the dating game) watch funny movies. read funny books.

MOST OF ALL KEEP POSTING HERE.. cuz think about it,, other lurking members can see the support the group can give out and maybe the method can spread for the good of everyone!

I was reading "The Bipolar Child" and they recommended a light box.  Have you looked into getting one?  With school starting, I noticed I was feeling a little draggy and down.  I've started walking the track with other teachers after school.  I'm getting sunlight and fresh air as well as exercise.  It does alot to help elevate my mood.  I've also been taking extra Vitamin C and focusing on eating a healthy diet.  I'm also getting extra sleep every night.  I feel better than I've felt in years. 

Maybe you could bundle up baby and take the wife out for a walk after work.

Good luck to you.  I hope you feel better soon.

Hi Chris,

I have a SAD lamp & it's better than nothing, I suppose - 30 min each morning, in front of the computer.  Regular sunlight is still best though (even if it's a cloudy day), and my husband & I are making a point of taking a little walk, in a nearby park, most days.  We used to do this years ago & are trying to get back into it, since it is good 'quality time' together, a good stress-buster after the work day; helps clear your head & get the blood flowing.  Even if it has to be done in the darker hours, it still offsets some of the fatigue & lethargy of SAD.

Apparently Vitamin D can help.  Normally the sun gives us this, but of course in the winter, we could use a supplement.  It doesn't officially help moods, but it helps 'neurofunctioning'.  My dietician said up to 2000 IU per day.  Pills are fine, but one of the best sources is real Cod Liver Oil.  People used it even back during the Depression, so that tells you something.  Tastes gross, so I chase it with some juice.  Or else you can buy it flavored (more expensive), but I haven't tried that yet.  It has Omega 3, too, like salmon and other fish, which is also very healthy.  Note that the North American diet is typically way too high on Omega 6, so don't worry about taking Omega 3-6-9 pills/oils - Omega 3 is all we need.  Some people take oil capsules, but I find they do nothing, so I stick to oils and real fish (even tuna is good, though salmon and trout are better).

Support groups continue to help me, even during my worst times.

I hope we both make it through!

Take Care,

Sharon

Dear Seasonal;

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. Get on some healthy foods with the meds also and minerals and vitimins do some research. your hormones do play with age a big part of the disorder. Go to the library. It is sometimes a make yourself PERIOD sitution. I am handicap. I cannot just go out walking wish i could. I get parilized up from hips down threw legs. I do not seem are mean to sound hard. But you haft to really try to start in by changing the thinking, and that means going against yourself, even in a mirror. I had to.. Like just getout side and if it is only for five miniutes, a movie, the park with a book, the library where it is quite. there are several places most people find boring, that is not so stressfull book stores that have great decaf.. for studying are just enjoying and reading.. My husband would get me out to the book store. Is really nice..

Please try.. Weather changes in the season effect everyone in our bodies especially as we age from young to old.. And i am sure it is so hard on us with bipolar, espeically when having to fight the way we think ourselvs. I wish you so much..

Oneday

Dear Seasonal;

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. Get on some healthy foods with the meds also and minerals and vitimins do some research. your hormones do play with age a big part of the disorder. Go to the library. It is sometimes a make yourself PERIOD sitution. I am handicap. I cannot just go out walking wish i could. I get parilized up from hips down threw legs. I do not seem are mean to sound hard. But you haft to really try to start in by changing the thinking, and that means going against yourself, even in a mirror. I had to.. Like just getout side and if it is only for five miniutes, a movie, the park with a book, the library where it is quite. there are several places most people find boring, that is not so stressfull book stores that have great decaf.. for studying are just enjoying and reading.. My husband would get me out to the book store. Is really nice..

Please try.. Weather changes in the season effect everyone in our bodies especially as we age from young to old.. And i am sure it is so hard on us with bipolar, espeically when having to fight the way we think ourselvs. I wish you so much..

Oneday

Hi Chris! I also suffer from this, along with BPD. I just wanted to say that I'm right there with you and to thank everyone here for your awesome advice and support!! So many of us are helped through reading all the stories and advice. Have a wonderful day all!