Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Asked in the Psych section already to no avail. Lets give it a try here.
I think I might have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Since spending more time in the sun can help alleviate this disorder, and the sun gives you Vitamin D, would something as simple as taking a Vitamin D tablet help?
If not, then what WILL help? Anything specifically I can ask my doctor about?
Also, is it possible for stress and other factors that lead to major depression to also trigger S.A.D.? Or is it directly related to the seasons?
I realize that it is related to changes in the seasons, but what I am asking is if the actual condition could be triggered by stress and emotional strains like other forms of depression can be.
The reason why I suspect SAD is because I started feeling the exact same symptoms of depression last fall, and now this fall I am getting those symptoms all over again. I start feeling that way about now (or about two weeks ago), all the way until the end of january or mid february.
I live in Indiana.
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The form of Vitamin D in tablet form you need is important before taking a supplement. There are different forms.
The problem with SAD is not the lack of Vitamin D as much as it is the absence of sunlight, longer nights in winter. This happens whether the temperature changes or not.
Stress exacerbates all forms of depression and/or anxiety. To diagnose SAD, a pattern of depression has to be established that meets the requirements of SAD. If it’s not related to the seasons, then it’ not seasonal, it’s just depression.
Different seasons usuallyl bring different activies. If it is far too hot outside or too cold, you will spend less time outdoors, perhaps less activeity, which results in less chances of reducing stress. You may feel more isolated because the extreme in temps makes it too hard just to get around from place to place.
Holidays are also times of the year which can leave some feeling more depressed than they normally feel, especially Xmas and Thanksgiving and the New Year, whether it temp is cold or the nights are longer.
That’s why it is difficult to diagnose SAD.
Kristi
I believe so. I’m pretty sure I suffer from the same thing, but it makes sense that if you are already sensitive to depression, lack of sunlight can be another trigger your you. That’s how it seems to work for me anyway.
Counselling is invaluable. Find a good one, or a friend, or a vicar or religious leader, and talktalktalktalk. Really, it seems like it wouldn’t help but it does.
Also, personally… knowing Jesus helps me. Knowing that no matter how I feel, I am loved and cherished and never alone, and that I always have someone to talk to who’s never too busy. Talk to your local church leader or look up your nearest Alpha course or Life course if you think it might help you too.
Good luck, and God bless. =)
I, too, need the light. I notice if I stand by the window, I feel myself come to life, its like my eyes need it and drink it in. I dont know if its the vit. D.
It depends where you live on the equator, if you get enough sun year round. You can get your vit. D levels checked to see if you are low. Too much D isnt good cause it gets stored in the body.
Artificial light is the next best thing to sun, thats what I do when its cloudy.