Tis the season...to be down???

bevhembree · Post by **bevhembree** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:57 pm

Am I the only one who seems to get in a slump this time of year? Is it because the weather's changing and you tend to get sick more? Is it because the holidays are coming up and you have more stress to look forward to?

Three years and 2 days ago I survived a suicide attempt- thank God for giving me a second chance. There has to be some connection to this time of year or it's a huge coincidence.

Anyone relate?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:48 pm

Oh, for sure! I get Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. I discovered that when I went away to college in a cold and snowy state. Gained weight and was depressed to going back home to CA to sunshine, a car and old friends and lost the weight. But went through the same thing the next year, until I got it figured out by changing my major, roommates, apartments, and had a car.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:00 pm

No one is alone this time of year when the Holidays come around. There are many people alone without family around, Many elderly that are similiar and dont feel well and cannot go out like they used to. Family members or friends who have passed on and the siblings are left to mourn. No one is left behind. You tend to miss what you had back when you were a kid, the excitement, the season, the snow, the no school days, things were no as tense as when you get older. Adults are adults....we gain more strengths and weaknesses as we get older but we must learn to accept these changes without making ourselves sick. Others suffer the same and its good to surround yourself with positive people at this time.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:27 pm

Thanks, Creamcheese, for the holiday boost. I just started thinking about Thanksgiving and if my daughter would come to visit...or not, if not, what would I do. I have some new friends, but they both have mates. Trying not to panic about it. Sometimes in the past I've just "gone underground" until the holiday passes, which is depressing. I'm going to try to do it better this season...using what I've learned from the Course...think positive, dwell on the good, not the past!! I always want it to be like the old happy family times, but that no longer exists. This year I'm not alone being alone...because I have these wonderful website friends, makes a BIG difference.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:13 am

oh wow! I have heard of SAD and now it all makes sense. I did some reading on it and can check off most of the symptoms. Not that this is great, but it's great to know there's a cause for this turmoil going on inside. I have tried so hard to stretch out the next two months so not to have major burdens- my doctor says even just Christmas shopping can send you into a tailspin and he sees so much relapse in January.
I've done almost all my Christmas shopping. I have my (artifical) tree ready to go up. My son is anxiously awaiting the opening of deer hunting season this weekend and I've made arrangements for him to hunt, where and with all the "equipment" you need for the weekends I have him in November. I've got presents for everyone who has a birthday in the next 2 months.
So I'm left in a little confusion still. It can't be the hustle and bustle. Maybe it's the anticipation. The time hasn't changed yet to shorten the evenings. It hasn't gotten super cold, but definitely the symptoms are all there. What to do to pull out of this??? OR wait and it will pass???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:45 am

Hi Bev,
If you can, buy some OTT Lamps. I have two or three of them. Read or do crafty things or whatnot under them for at least 15 minutes a day. Or sit by a sunny window to read etc. Also getting some aerobic exercise in should help as well. Sometimes, when it starts to get cold and dark it keeps us from getting the sun in our eyes and the endorphins or neurotransmitters going in our brain to keep us happy.

I live in a snowy state now, but not as cold and snowy as the one I went to college in and the one my husband is from. The harsh winters were hard on me. Well, the days are still getting shorter and we aren't out as long as usual on a summer or spring day.

It does sound like you are set up for the future, be sure to take B vitamins and fish oil or Evening Primrose oil. Also, walk 3 miles a day if possible, I don't know what condition your health is in. I know I need to get out and walk 3 miles or an hour to keep my weight down and get the neurotransmitters helping me to feel okay, even more so now that I've experienced panic attacks and feel the sensations of anxiety that so far walking has or easy exercise has helped to control.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:45 am

I get this too. For me I think it's because (1) the weather is getting gloomy which makes me gloomy, (2) it's getting darker earlier which means less sunshine and I don't know about you but sunshine just makes me happy, and (3) one of my major anxiety spells happened around this time of year so I think that subconsciously has something to do with it.

I never considered that there was a recognized condition for the way I feel but now that I know there is, I feel a little better about it. At least I know I'm not the only one.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:39 am

Many people are down this time of year. Me included. This year, I decided to remind myself how fortunate I am. I have family, friends and my health. I have a job, food in my fridge and a bit of money in my bank account.

The sun may not be out as much this time of year, but it's still there !

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:41 pm

Yes, it is good to think more positively at this time. It was years ago that a Dr told me to walk 3 miles a day or an hour and also to write in a journal. This was about 28 years ago after a time when I had suffered much stress in my early married years due to a business failure we didn't go bankrupt. I worked in shelter homes to pay the banks back. It was like paying for a dead horse.

But I learned many things at this time and my marriage has survived as well. I only went to see this DR as a suggestion from a friend. He did give Restoril which really helped me to sleep because one of my Shelter Homes had clients that didn't sleep during the night and needed my rest. My OB Dr put me on the older anti-depressants and it turned me into a zombie. There was no way I could take care of 8 Mentally Disabled clients and my 2 little children while in that condition. So I stopped taking them after probably one or two days. I then was too chicken to call the Dr and tell him what the meds did to me. So I went without, but did fine due to getting out of the situation and moving to a whole new city, etc.

Not that things were perfect but I wasn't working so hard for so little pay. I also read some books on positive thinking.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:54 pm

bevhembree,
The holidays are always very stressful. Knowing this, try to plan for it. For me, I let go of so many things I thought I HAD to do. Made a list of things I want to do. Its okay to make changes, and do your own way. You will get tools by doing this program, try different things. Lowering the expectations will help too.

I have bought a kind of light bulb to help with the dark days. It does help some. Keep in mind winter is a time where everything goes dormant, my energy is lower as well. Don't let it scare you. It is a time for rest, in the areas where you really do have a winter. I'm not sure about Mississippi,what kind of winters you all have.

You have everyone here too, so you are not alone.