[SchmennaLeigh]

Can you believe that Autumn starts this coming Sunday? Where did the year go?

With the days growing progressively shorter and the holidays looming right around the corner, I got to thinking about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how it may (or may not) come into play for various birth parents.

Do you deal more with your depression in the winter months? Is it simply because of the holidays? The lack of light? Adoption issues? Or everything combined? Are you aware of the signs and symptoms of SAD so that you can watch for them during the fall and winter months?

Does anyone have a story about SAD that they'd be comfortable sharing? How have you coped?

[BrandyHagz]

In Chicago, yes. Bigtime.

The cure?

I moved to the desert...we have no seasons - hence, no SAD.

[lahdh4]

Mine seems more in the summer months. I usually see Little Miss in December and I am on a high for a few weeks which takes me to Christmas when I get alittle sad.

[taramayrn]

I know for me I sure do suffer from a bit more depression in the winter months. I think for me it really is the lack of sunshine, the frigid temperatures and the fact that somedays it feels like winter is never going to end. For me at this point in my adoption journey, I don't believe those feelings of depression during the winter has to do with the adoption. Now, in the past it has with Christmas, my son's bday and placement surrounding Valentine's Day, etc.

[taramayrn]

How do I cope? Getting outdoors in the fresh crisp air makes a difference. Another thing I have done, but I am leary to do because I am so fair skinned is go to the tanning salon for a few minutes a week.

[keds]

I definitely have trouble with SAD. I go to the tanning salon twice a week in January, February and March and find it helps quite a bit. I get outside as much as possible as well.

[Arruniel]

I am soooo happy Summer is over. I live in San Antonio, Texas. It is hot and dismal, the sun is glaring, and I melt. I am so happy Autumn is finally here. I plan to move North when I can, even just up to Austin. So, you see, I get sad in the Summer and happy when when Autumn finally returns. Also, I love the holidays. Great food, presents, friends, family, decorations, and celebrations!

[rainmon]

I have used a full spectrum light in Jan & Feb when it is the darkest where I live.....it reallly has helped, my husband bought it for me a few years ago and it has really helped.
it also helps, of course to go to somewhere sunny for a couple weeks during those times to break up the darkest months, but that is not always posible of course.
I love now having a house with lots of nice big windows it really helps to let in all the winter light also.
getting out and going for walks during the brightest parts of the day also helps quite a bit..... and the dog loves it !!!

[SchmennaLeigh]

Yes, I've found that walking just before or after lunch helps me in the winter, too. I love, love the cold weather (hate heat) but get pretty down in January/February. So, we bundle up and head outside. It does wonders for my mood. Even my Husband notices!!

[Arruniel]

Sorry if I seemed a little insensitive. I know it's serious, especially up north. Think bright thoughts, get plenty of fresh air, and remember spring is a short six months away.

[Jannyroo]

Originally Posted by SchmennaLeigh

Can you believe that Autumn starts this coming Sunday? Where did the year go?

With the days growing progressively shorter and the holidays looming right around the corner, I got to thinking about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how it may (or may not) come into play for various birth parents.

Do you deal more with your depression in the winter months? Is it simply because of the holidays? The lack of light? Adoption issues? Or everything combined? Are you aware of the signs and symptoms of SAD so that you can watch for them during the fall and winter months?

Does anyone have a story about SAD that they'd be comfortable sharing? How have you coped?

I've noticed that I get correspondingly gloomier as the nights set in and the light disappears. I've successfully come through it by taking 5-HTP - an amino acid that you can get from most nutritional outlets or google for it and get it on-line. I take it (100mg capsule) 20 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach and I also take the advice that Patrick Holford gives on the subject www. patrickholford.com and I've kissed goodbye to the blues. I don't take it alone though I take a multivitamin/mineral, vitamin C (1gram /day) and others, but Patrick will guide you through what you need. The vitamins/supplements I use are excellent in their field (Biocare, Solgar, Higher Nature for example)

I know someone who had really bad depression (well mine wasn't great, I was borderline manic depressive or bipolar as its known today, but I followed P Holfords' advice - Optimum Nutrition Bible and adjusted my eating/ drinking habits which includes coffee, tea and other legal stimulants) and he was eventually put on tryptophan by his GP. The moronic thing about this in the UK is that you have to be depressed for 2 years (!) before they will use this amino acid even though GP's were using it decades ago and it outdid Valium etc. It was banned some years back as I understand it because of one bad batch and a knee jerk reaction to ban it with also the pharmaceutical industry waiting in the wings. Anyway, time to get off soap box.

So, just a few thoughts for anyone that would like to research it.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Jannyroo; my Mom sweeeeeeears by aminos, too. I really should look into them. I just get very overwhelmed in places like GNC, etc, because there's SO MUCH sitting on the shelves and I don't know where to begin!!

[Jannyroo]

Originally Posted by SchmennaLeigh

Jannyroo; my Mom sweeeeeeears by aminos, too. I really should look into them. I just get very overwhelmed in places like GNC, etc, because there's SO MUCH sitting on the shelves and I don't know where to begin!!

Two good sources, GIANTS in the field of nutrition, that have made a BIG difference to me, and I swear by them too! is Julia Ross (USA) & Patrick Holford (UK). Julia Ross's book - The Mood Cure (costs about $24.00?) comment on the back of her book - [quote] "works better than any anti-depressant' - Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute of Optimum Nutrition (UK).

Most mood problems are caused by simple biochemical imbalances and don't need Prozac or other drugs to cure them. Such drugs are often liberally prescribed despite the risk of side effects.

Julia Ross has been working with natural nutritional solutions at her clinic in California for over 15 years - and with dramatic results. She has developed an extremely successful nutritional plan using specific foods and supplements that can lift dark moods and emotions in less than 24 hours. It works by restoring the body's natural chemical balance, thereby relieving mood-related symptoms, such as depression, PMS, stress, low self esteem, irritability and SAD. Now, with the mood cure you can blast the blues forever.

• assess your mood profile with a four part questionnaire.
• identify and understand your underlying chemical imbalance.
• Devise a targeted plan of supplements, good mood foods and menus according to what your body needs.
• Address hormone imbalances, food intolerances, insomnia and addiction.
• Lift the dark clouds of depression and anxiety in as little as 24 hours.

Julia Ross is a pyschotherapist and director of Recovery Systems, a clinic in California that treats mood, eating and addiction problems with nutrient therapy and biochemical imbalancing. She lectures at conferences and workshops around the world to share her work. Her first book The Diet Cure, was an international bestseller.

[End of quote]

I think you may be able to contact her on www. moodcure.com

Patrick Holford (I'm seeing his lecture this October) is also huge and gets results. He has a brain bio clinic in London that helps with autism, schizophrenia, addictions, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, ADHD, and much more and his website is www. patrickholford.com

I am totally convinced that these two together are powerful stuff to get over SAD and depression and a host of other things.

I can only speak from my experience and my friends can see the BIG difference in me. Any questions anyone, feel free to ask.

[fauxgina]

Originally Posted by BrandyHagz

In Chicago, yes. Bigtime.

The cure?

I moved to the desert...we have no seasons - hence, no SAD.

There are too seasons in Southern Arizona! They are as follows: Hot (spring), SUPER hot (summer), Hot (autumn), and tolerably warm (winter).

I know just what you mean, though. The difference in hours of daylight between summer and winter is only a couple of hours, which makes a huge difference to people's moods. My mom moved to AZ from WI precisely to escape winter, and we were just talking last night about how much winter stinks because it goes on forever and is so bleak and dreary. All the other seasons are sort of "interactive," as in there are things growing or budding or turning colors or just looking beautiful and you can go out and enjoy it; winter is a time of death ticking over, and I personally don't see what there is to "enjoy" in snow. It looks pretty for a couple of hours and then it turns either mushy or hard. Can you tell I was born and raised in a desert? Give me sunshine and warmth!

[quantum]

Omg fauxgina, how long have you lived in England??

I just remember it raining and raining and raining and raining. *sigh*

I'm lucky that I don't have SADD, especially where I live now! Great in the summer to have so much light, but could get depressing in the winter.