Posted by MB on June 28, 2003, at 19:50:43
In reply to Interested in learning about summer S.A.D. , posted by Leor on June 23, 2003, at 8:23:20
> Hi Babblers. I suffer from reverse seasonal
> affective disorder (manifests itself during the
> summer from approximately early June to mid
> September). Beyond the usual lethargy and
> insomnia I have been having feelings of intense
> worthlessness and apprehension. I am interested
> to learn whether there are other reverse S.A.D.
> sufferers out there in babble-land and to
> discover what their coping strategies are
> (whether pharmacological or lifestyle).
> If I find any workable techniques, I'll
> certainly pass them along.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Leor
My moods definitely cycle witht the seasons, and I am *much* worse in the Summer. My mom's the same way. We used to joke that she was "allergic" to it. The symptoms of my depression are atypical meaning, I over sleep, over eat, suffer "leaden" fatigue, etc. In the Summer, I feel like the sun and the heat are suffocating me, crushing me...as if there is some "life-essence" that is being leached from me. The fatigue worsens, I spend less and less time outdoors and more time in bed. I start needing 12-13 hrs of sleep a day, etc. I hate it. Have you ever gotten a really bad sunburn, and then felt fatigued and sick the next day? I feel that way if I spend only 30 minutes in the direct Summer sunlight. My skin even burns slightly, but there's no reddness.I'm glad you brought this up because I didn't know other people out there had "reversed" seasonal cycles in mood and symptoms.
I haven't found a cure....hehheh...I just try to stay out of the sun from about 10am to about 6pm. Once the sun goes lower in the sky (say 7-8pm) and the air cools off, I GET OUTDOORS!!! I need to spend time outside for my well being, and I find that if I utilize the morning and evening hours to get out and walk and soak up the beauty of the outdoors, I feel better in general. However, I try to stay inside with the shades drawn (hopefully sleeping) during the hottest part of the day.
MB
poster:MB
thread:236275
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030624/msgs/237781.html