https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 19:02:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-470154 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:16:29 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 470154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful thread with great stories and suggestions; thank you all. I am feeling the onset of SAD bigtime this year. I was on antidepressants for a couple years for depression but had to go off them because of a serious side effect. Until recently I've been doing pretty well but this fall has hit me fairly hard (also thanks to some losses in the family and other events). I really don't want to go back on meds right now for other reasons, so I definitely need to try some of these other strategies. </p> <p>Having grown up in the midwest, I feel wimpy getting SAD when I now live in northern California, but it's really the light rather than the temperature that makes the difference. I have a light box - somewhere - but haven't used it in a while. I definitely need to do some research and find out what the best models and brands are, because I bought mine used on ebay anyway and I expect that it's very out of date now. Jonesy, which Northern Light model do you have?</p> <p>The real problem with depression/SAD is that you do get into that mode where you can, if you're not too badly off, still get through your regular day, but that it's really hard to get yourself to change and do things like get more exercise. It can be a real vicious cycle. I'm not a morning person and since I work at home I can stay in in my PJs until noon, which I'm sure is not helping reset my internal clock at all. In the past I've been most successful getting out of the house first thing in the morning when I have an event to go to, or a friend who's expecting me - an exercise class or walking together. I am thinking of signing up for a morning Pilates class and then the guilt of wasting my fee will get me up and around. </p> <p>Things that have worked for me in the past: getting an appropriate amount of sleep - I'm one of the minority that sleeps too much when depressed rather than not enough, so I keep an eye on that but still try to be rested, and exercising helps you sleep. Omega-3 supplements - there's been some positive clinical trial results having to do with essential fatty acids and depression, and they're generally good for you besides. (Trader Joe's makes a nice odorless one if they're in your area.) Eating reasonably - I am drawn to junk food and starches/sweets when I'm depressed but anything that really messes with your blood sugar levels will complicate mood problems. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469754 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:31:46 +0000 Jenniferblue 469754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Happy, uplifting music </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469724 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:35:49 +0000 DragonflyJane 469724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use a light-box, try to exercise every day &amp; arrange more things to do such as meets with friends. I'm also taking vitamin B complex supplements. Red shoes help me too - wear something that will make you smile! It can be the pits but if you can recognise the symptons &amp; do something about it you're then able to take control of the situation. I also try to think "this will pass". We always take a break to Portugal at the end of March so I try to focus on looking forward to that by making some spring &amp; summer clothes &amp; fantasising about clear blue skies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469720 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:26:04 +0000 san 469720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many great words of wisdom and I appreciate them all now that we are in our dark, windy, stormy November here in the PNW.<br /> I know that excersise helps but just like MNsarah said it's not easy for someone suffering to get themselves motivated to do these helpful things.<br /> I am so surprised that people who grew up in the northern midwest also have SAD. I thought it would be something that you grew up with as a child and just seemed perfectly normal. I'm sorry that you suffer too and your winters are so long. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469717 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:22:17 +0000 Kari 469717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jonesy, I read up on it but heard mixed evidence. Given how intensely bad my depressions can get - sometimes to a point of being a real health/safety issue - I decided it is worth the risk.</p> <p>Like Marley mentioned, there are times when I am just feeling "down" (low energy, tired, etc.) due to lack of sunlight and can push myself to get outdoors, or even out of the house. And then there are sometimes when I am in a real, serious depression and it is no longer a matter of willpower, but an actual, physical chemical imbalance in my brain that I cannot will myself out of.</p> <p>Elpgal (and others who are suffering too), many warm thoughts to you and hope that you find ways to cope. I too find myself becoming a hermit in the winter months from about January on - post-holidays, even without being in a full blown depression, I rarely have the energy left to be social. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469712 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:58:54 +0000 Marley 469712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The light, meds, exercise, spending time with friends and psychotherapy. You can't just WILL yourself to not feel depressed - when I am depressed it takes a little bit of a lot of things to bring me back out of it. I have lived in So CAL for almost 25 years, but still remember the awful depressions that I would get in the winters back in the midwest. (In fact, I still get a mild form of SAD during the So CAL winters). But back 20 plus years ago (in the midwest) we didn't really talk much about depression - and didn't even know about the lights - or have access to anti-depressants (did they even make anti-depressants back then?) Just thinking about it makes me shudder! Anyway, it isn't something that is "just in your head - its real and I hope that you can take care to prevent it from hitting you too hard this winter! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469704 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:32:09 +0000 Esther 469704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do not necessarily suffer from diagnosed SAD, but living here in interior AK, we only have about 7 hrs of light right now, and we are going through a crazy cold snap, so we only leave the house when we HAVE to. Given these conditions, it would be surprising if someone did not feel a little down sometimes!! I like to wear springish things around the house, just bought myself a bright yellow coat (it makes me happy!!) , and I head out to buy something small to give myself a pick-me-up when I start to feel too down, either go shopping at a thrift store, buy myself a new book, or a hair accessory--just a tiny something can give me a lift to banish the blues </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469505 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:37:55 +0000 fern 469505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vitamin D here too -<br /> I think I still need a light box.<br /> Making an effort to go for a walk at lunchtime is very good for me (exercise+light).<br /> We installed a wood stove this summer, too soon to report on its efficacy, but this is the first year I've been looking forward to the cold &amp; dark weather. :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469493 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:21:49 +0000 elpgal 469493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for the suggestions and sharing your experience. Looks like getting a light box is the way to go. </p> <p>I went skiing regularly for the first time last year and it certainly made a huge change in my outlook.</p> <p>I usually try valiantly till around this time of the year and then the depression just sneaks upon me. I am high-functioning, but like Fruitful so astutely pointed out, lack the mental clarity to make high-stakes changes or try new things. </p> <p>One thing I have noticed is that I almost always refuse invitations in winter because I find it simply too trying whereas during summer, I recognize that enjoying people's company trumps my need for introversion and go along. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469353 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:17:23 +0000 Aida 469353@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think I have SAD (pretty sure my husband does though), but as a mood dresser I have noticed this year that I am feeling worse in my heavily dark outfits than I usually do. Just this past week I determined to wear lighter clothing, and it seems to help quite a bit. Just throwing that out there in case your moods are affected by your dress (or the other way 'round), every little bit helps right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469198 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:24:20 +0000 catgirl 469198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, and I forgot to mention that everyone here tries to get out of state to Mexico or Hawai'i during the winter. It breaks up the monotony because 7 months of winter is a little much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469186 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:11:51 +0000 judy 469186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This might be a controversial notion, but maybe we aren't supposed to feel the same all year long? I find I feel different in the different seasons, mood wise and in what I feel lead to do.</p> <p>Forcing myself to walk or just be outside here in Seattle has helped me. Just feeling the air on my face and seeing the beauty in the Evergreen trees and in the dormant plants somehow has me realize that this cycle is not unnatural. </p> <p>While I did experience SAD when I first moved here in the early 90's from Hawaii...in November of all months....I think it was because I thought since it was cold and cloudy and even wet I shouldn't go outside. I really spent all my time in the house, the car, or the office. </p> <p>Now that I walk more, take the bus more, etc, somehow I feel better. It's worth it to force yourself to if you need to. The outside is just on the other side of the door, after all! And look at today, it's a gorgeous cloudy November day out there. Go out and look up at the sky. Remember when you were a little kid and you didn't care what kind of day it was, you just wanted to go out and play? ( I got reminded of the go out and play thing from Mark's Daily Apple...the Primal Blueprint guy...he advocates just going out to "play" more for us serious adults). I think the problem is, we WAIT to feel that way before we act, and it works the other way around: If we go out and play, we will feel better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469144 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:15:09 +0000 Freckles 469144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We don't live in Seattle but I got my Mom a lightbox for Christmas a few years ago and does it ever make a difference!</p> <p>She used to be an athlete but due to health problems and being 80 hasn't done that for many years and the SAD has gotten worse. I think with exercise, especially if it's done with friends (skiing, tennis, etc) has a two part effect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469132 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:58:13 +0000 MNsara 469132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Perfect question, elpgal!! I've just been wanting to ask for SAD ideas/tips too, but couldn't muster the energy to do anything about it . . . :-\ I might just as well hibernate until April!!</p> <p>I'm pretty sure I want to try a light box, but the investigation required is overwhleming. I'll look at Jonesy's link.</p> <p>They also consider everyone here in the northern midwest to be Vitamin D defficient, so I do take supplements, and I think they make a slight difference.</p> <p>Don't you think that getting outside and getting plenty of exercise are probably VERY helpful (daylight, sunlight, fresh air, endorphins, metabolism, etc.), but the LAST thing a SAD person wants to do?</p> <p>I'll also agree that planning pleasant activities like AG mentioned (and vacations, like Kari, if you can) are helpful. But again, that's not the inclination of a SAD person. . .</p> <p>I'm staying tuned for more ideas. I keep thinking there should be an herbal tea that helps and that every little helpful thing put together will make a noticeable difference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469123 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:43:50 +0000 chewyspaghetti 469123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My sister used to swear that tanning in a light bed helped her winter depression (but she is more than a little cukoo!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469040 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:26:18 +0000 Isabel 469040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My husband uses one of those light boxes and it really helps him. He is not completely himself, but it makes a big enough difference. I get some comfort ( though I don't think that I have ever suffered from SAD ) that at the end of December the days slowly start getting longer.</p> <p>I hope that you feel better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469029 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:16:46 +0000 Jonesy 469029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, I thought I should mention that on the site I linked to they discuss the hand-held blue light lamps. They cite evidence that those can cause retinal damage. (Just thought I'd say something since you mentioned you use one of those--maybe you've already checked out the pros and cons, but if you didn't know about the data I thought you might want to know.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-469009 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:55:25 +0000 Kari 469009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another strategy that I forgot to mention - if time and budget permit, I try to get away for a vacation somewhere with more sunlight, or at least more daylight hours, sometime between December and February. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468959 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:51:12 +0000 Jonesy 468959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We use a light box! They really do work. I would suggest investing in the best one you can, vs. some on the market that might not be the genuine article. Ours is by Northern Lights Technologies (<a href="http://www.northernlighttechnologies.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.northernlighttechnologies.com/</a>). </p> <p>Here is a link to a recent story on them; in controlled trials they worked just as well as antidepressants, with fewer side effects.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/health/policy/light-boxes-may-help-melt-those-winter-blues.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11.....blues.html</a></p> <p>ETA: D'oh, I see that Anna has already linked to the story! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468935 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:03:06 +0000 san 468935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thankyou for bringing this subject up elpgal. I also suffer from SAD. I would have never guessed that you do. You are so bright and cheerful. I am from Southern CA and I seem to not be able to get over the lack of bright sunlight though I have been here for near 40 yrs. I had a small light box from Sharper Image several years ago and I didn't feel it worked for me. It was quite small and I was supposed to have it right in front of my face for 45 minutes every morning which didn't seem doable. Maybe I should take vitamen D. I do eat the Calcium and vitamen D chocolate chews from Costco though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468933 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:56:18 +0000 Fruitful 468933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I have heard of the light box but didn't know its use was common. I want one now.</p> <p>I fail at this every year,. The problem is, the low saps the mental clarity needed to do the things that work. I usually start them in Spring.</p> <p>Fish oils, Zinc+vitamin C, eating well generally (protein and veggies), EXERCISING is the hugest mood elevator, spending time outside.</p> <p>Best of luck. You are already ahead in that you recognise the problem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468932 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:51:36 +0000 Elly 468932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Come visit me in Colorado? We have mucho sunny days and are closer to the sun? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468928 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:32:43 +0000 Vix 468928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, Vitamin D (2000 units year-round, 4000 from Oct-June) + serotonin by any means (exercise and "good carbs" + tryptophan-rich foods are my two strategies) are my main go-tos. </p> <p>I have used a light box in the past and need to get back to it.</p> <p>Glad you are researching solutions; hang in there! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468915 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:01:47 +0000 Angie 468915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear bright clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468908 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:37:45 +0000 catgirl 468908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, yeah. and It gets worse as I get older too (and live here longer!). Exercise, vitamin D, hanging out with friends, and I have one of those lights you're supposed to sit in front of to help trick your body into thinking it's not dark and miserable. They don't even test kids for vitamin D deficiency here because it's a given that they are all deficient and need tons of extra. Hang in there - I know it is a hard thing to face! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468905 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:20:05 +0000 Kari 468905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, totally in the same boat, and I don't mind sharing what's worked for me.<br /> I have SAD that can sometimes become a full-brown depression, but also have had SOME very severe depressive episodes off-season (like this past summer.) It took me until my early twenties to realize and (and confirm with a diagnosis) that I had been pretty seriously depressed every winter since I was about 12 or so - I didn't really have a perspective of what normalcy felt like. After a decade I realized that my mood was totally bottoming out at the same time as we received the least amount of daylight, and peaked in the summer.</p> <p>To combat the winter blues, I use a blue-light spectrum box every day at work from September onward. It's one of those folding lights that is about the size of a paperback book, and I put it on for an hour in the morning, angled towards my eyes, as I'm checking my email and sipping tea. (I'm told that the blue light reflects on my face and makes me look neon blue when people pass by my cube - it's generated a lot of strange looks! However, I feel much better when I'm using it regularly.)</p> <p>In the past year I've started taking Vitamin D after learning that I was deficient - according to my doctor, most of us Pacific Northwesterners probably are low in D.</p> <p>Exercise on a daily basis helps tremendously, and I think that's a big reason why I did not suffer from SAD at all last year when my boyfriend and I were in the habit of going to the gym every day - and partly why my mental health totally crashed when I got too busy (and tired) for regular exercise.</p> <p>To add to all that - for many years I took antidepressants during the fall/winter/early Spring, and I'm doing so again this year since I had such a severe low this summer. I'm on a low dose antidepressant and also a sleeping medication, because I've always been a poor sleeper and this year went into full-blown insomnia. I'm able to function much, much better when I am well rested. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468902 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:08:56 +0000 lyn* 468902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use a SAD light </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468901 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:08:21 +0000 annagybe 468901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seriously considered investing in a light box. I do ski so that helps, lots of bright white stuff.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/health/policy/light-boxes-may-help-melt-those-winter-blues.html?_r=1&#038;scp=1&#038;sq=light%20box&#038;st=cse" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11.....038;st=cse</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-seasonal-affective-disorder-seattelites-ag#post-468899 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:05:51 +0000 elpgal 468899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am curious to know what strategies you use to deal with SAD. It's mid-November and I am already feeling mopey. </p> <p>I am supplementing with vitamin D and trying (but not doing very well) with exercise. </p>