I do not know what is wrong with me - Page 2

adiemus · 02-29-2008, 09:12 PM

Light box therapy provides replacement light to normalise the production of melatonin which for some people in winter reduces to the point where it produces an almost-hibernation. It's quite common, but often over-diagnosed because most people don't like getting out of bed in winter!! But I definitely find using a lightbox helps me during winter, and I do have SAD along with bog-standard depression. You do need to get a proper lightbox, because the level of lux and the colour of the light is important to get right. Reen.Blom, SAD is less common in latitudes north of about Christchurch in NZ (40 degrees)... It's also really important to make sure any other contributing factor to fatigue (eg low iron levels which is REALLY common in women), and any other endocrine or metabolic disorder, so blood tests are in order!!

KuteNurse · 03-01-2008, 05:48 AM

Awww...Thankyou for all the concern and great tips. I just have to force myself to do stuff. Today I sat in my jammes all day long and watched tv. I overreacted to an issue my son is having and I feel pretty miserable. I think tomorrow I am going to get out and go for a walk, even if it is short and maybe go to the mall and buy something for myself to cheer me up. Please keep the positve remarks coming

taheya · 03-01-2008, 07:12 PM

Kutenurse I forgot to say exercise is sooo important, it will help m
you release endorphins and make you feel energised/ improve mood. Although i do appreciate it is hard to motivate yourself when yoi are feeling low. Definately try to get out everyday even for a short walk, just being outside in the sun will make you feel better im sure.

KuteNurse · 03-02-2008, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taheya

Kutenurse I forgot to say exercise is sooo important, it will help m
you release endorphins and make you feel energised/ improve mood. Although i do appreciate it is hard to motivate yourself when yoi are feeling low. Definately try to get out everyday even for a short walk, just being outside in the sun will make you feel better im sure.

Thankyou everyone, taheya. I did get out today, went for a short walk. It was nice outside and it made me feel better, plus I bought new clothes! Although, I can't wear them until spring. My son is going through an issue and I have been dealing with it. It has been quite depressing. Have you heard of the internet bullies? Well, he has one who lives locally. It really is a shame.

nightdancer · 03-03-2008, 12:49 AM

My first thought, honestly, was "Are you pregnant?" and also, time for a trip to the doctor for blood workup. Seasonal blahs are normal, but if it is to the point where it is debilitating, then its time to see someone.

Hope you feel better

Robynne

Kharmine · 03-03-2008, 06:33 PM

Howdy, KN, just popping in and couldn't help but add my best wishes to the chorus.

What everyone said is good, and I would add that you should check to see if you are having any interactions with supplements and/or medications or food that might be affecting you negatively.

Also, I would add my encouragement to nghtdancer's to get blood tests. You may have problems with thyroid or low iron levels or insulin resistence. All are major factors in the low, depressed-but-nothing particularly wrong feeling.

KuteNurse · 03-26-2008, 03:55 AM

I am happy to report I am feeling a bit better. I went to the doctor and nothing significant was found in my blood. I just need to kick myself and get back into life. I would consider this a mild form of depression probably related to the lack of sunlight and warm temperatures. Hopefully, spring is around the corner and the weather will be getting warmer. My son's cycle races start soon, which means early mornings and long drives to races. Hopefully this will make me feel better. I also planned a small reunion with 3 friends from highschool in April. It will be great to see everyone again.

karena · 03-26-2008, 08:29 AM

that all sounds really good. glad you are feeling a bit better. spring is a wonderful thing

adiemus · 03-26-2008, 08:56 AM

I love spring too - but we're entering into Autumn, and the leaves are all turning and the mornings are getting darker and the nights a bit crisper, and although I'm sad to see summer go (it's been a wonderful summer), it's nice to think that winter will be here soon and we can snuggle under the eiderdown and have the fire going and eat comfort food!!!
I hope you're looking after yourself Kutenurse - we all need a bit of TLC every now and then, and as a long-time person with depression, sometimes just letting go and glooming for a while can help us bounce back faster!

Mosaic · 03-26-2008, 01:36 PM

Hi KuteNurse,
I agree with others who have mentioned SAD. I loathe winter because I always feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, and when the sun shines on a winters day and the sky is blue I tend to "overdose " on it LOL! But I sure feel so much better. I also don't sleep very well in the winter. I don't suffer from depression as such, but noticed after living in permanent summer in the tropics for 11 years that facing the lack of sunlight in winter was/is a burden and I tend be like a bear ( except on days when the sun actually shines and it isn't cold) ... I hibernate except on Bellydance class days

We are moving towards winter now here in the southern hemisphere and I am already dreading it.

But do have a checkup to eliminate any physical problems, and then look to getting some sort of lightbox especially for your next winter. Do hope your coming warmer and sun filled days cheer you up real soon.
~Mosiac

PS: Another thing to consider to bring 'artificial' sunlight into your home is to replace light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, they do help. Plants love them in winter. We have all fluros in our house ( also cheaper to run)

02-29-2008, 09:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	Light box therapy provides replacement light to normalise the production of melatonin which for some people in winter reduces to the point where it produces an almost-hibernation. It's quite common, but often over-diagnosed because most people don't like getting out of bed in winter!! But I definitely find using a lightbox helps me during winter, and I do have SAD along with bog-standard depression. You do need to get a proper lightbox, because the level of lux and the colour of the light is important to get right. Reen.Blom, SAD is less common in latitudes north of about Christchurch in NZ (40 degrees)... It's also really important to make sure any other contributing factor to fatigue (eg low iron levels which is REALLY common in women), and any other endocrine or metabolic disorder, so blood tests are in order!! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

03-03-2008, 06:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
Kharmine V.I.P. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Foot of the Rocky Mountains Posts: 1,248	Howdy, KN, just popping in and couldn't help but add my best wishes to the chorus. What everyone said is good, and I would add that you should check to see if you are having any interactions with supplements and/or medications or food that might be affecting you negatively. Also, I would add my encouragement to nghtdancer's to get blood tests. You may have problems with thyroid or low iron levels or insulin resistence. All are major factors in the low, depressed-but-nothing particularly wrong feeling. __________________ What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

03-26-2008, 08:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
karena Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The North, UK Posts: 811	that all sounds really good. glad you are feeling a bit better. spring is a wonderful thing __________________ "Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

03-26-2008, 08:56 AM	#19 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	I love spring too - but we're entering into Autumn, and the leaves are all turning and the mornings are getting darker and the nights a bit crisper, and although I'm sad to see summer go (it's been a wonderful summer), it's nice to think that winter will be here soon and we can snuggle under the eiderdown and have the fire going and eat comfort food!!! I hope you're looking after yourself Kutenurse - we all need a bit of TLC every now and then, and as a long-time person with depression, sometimes just letting go and glooming for a while can help us bounce back faster! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

03-26-2008, 01:36 PM	#20 (permalink)
Mosaic Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Australia, but a Kiwi Posts: 852	Hi KuteNurse, I agree with others who have mentioned SAD. I loathe winter because I always feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, and when the sun shines on a winters day and the sky is blue I tend to "overdose " on it LOL! But I sure feel so much better. I also don't sleep very well in the winter. I don't suffer from depression as such, but noticed after living in permanent summer in the tropics for 11 years that facing the lack of sunlight in winter was/is a burden and I tend be like a bear ( except on days when the sun actually shines and it isn't cold) ... I hibernate except on Bellydance class days We are moving towards winter now here in the southern hemisphere and I am already dreading it. But do have a checkup to eliminate any physical problems, and then look to getting some sort of lightbox especially for your next winter. Do hope your coming warmer and sun filled days cheer you up real soon. ~Mosiac PS: Another thing to consider to bring 'artificial' sunlight into your home is to replace light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, they do help. Plants love them in winter. We have all fluros in our house ( also cheaper to run) Last edited by Mosaic; 03-26-2008 at 01:39 PM. Reason: PS

03-01-2008, 05:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,969	Awww...Thankyou for all the concern and great tips. I just have to force myself to do stuff. Today I sat in my jammes all day long and watched tv. I overreacted to an issue my son is having and I feel pretty miserable. I think tomorrow I am going to get out and go for a walk, even if it is short and maybe go to the mall and buy something for myself to cheer me up. Please keep the positve remarks coming

03-01-2008, 07:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
taheya Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: uk Posts: 520	Kutenurse I forgot to say exercise is sooo important, it will help m you release endorphins and make you feel energised/ improve mood. Although i do appreciate it is hard to motivate yourself when yoi are feeling low. Definately try to get out everyday even for a short walk, just being outside in the sun will make you feel better im sure.

03-03-2008, 12:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
nightdancer Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Below the Mason-Dixon Posts: 236	My first thought, honestly, was "Are you pregnant?" and also, time for a trip to the doctor for blood workup. Seasonal blahs are normal, but if it is to the point where it is debilitating, then its time to see someone. Hope you feel better Robynne

03-26-2008, 03:55 AM	#17 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,969	I am happy to report I am feeling a bit better. I went to the doctor and nothing significant was found in my blood. I just need to kick myself and get back into life. I would consider this a mild form of depression probably related to the lack of sunlight and warm temperatures. Hopefully, spring is around the corner and the weather will be getting warmer. My son's cycle races start soon, which means early mornings and long drives to races. Hopefully this will make me feel better. I also planned a small reunion with 3 friends from highschool in April. It will be great to see everyone again.