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1305767 tn?1361192676

Not sure if Seasonal Affective Disorder or not

I get episodes of depression throughout the whole year but in the late fall and winter I start feeling really "low" It's not that I really feel all that depressed but I get so tired (like want to sleep 12 + hours tired) and my motivation to do anything or go anywhere goes down to 0. Usually when I start getting used to the chilly and gloomy weather it goes away.
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Avatar universal
Good to hear that you will try it.  It's a great way to treat it without any medication.
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1305767 tn?1361192676
The other day I realized that I always seem to wake up right after having a dream. I decided to Google it and read it's normal to wake after dreaming but most people fall right back to sleep or don't even fully wake up. My trouble is I tend to come fully awake. It's a pain in the butt!
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1305767 tn?1361192676
Wow I've never heard of that sleep disorder. sounds interesting. I think I will look into light therapy. Even in the summer I don't get outside much so perhaps artificial sun would help a good deal.
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Avatar universal
My sleep disorder was advanced phase shifting.  That is my inner clock was a 25 hour one.  So that I was ready to go to sleep an hour later than the day before.  But some believe that depression is linked with sleep patterns in general.  So don't go by my particular sleep disorder in your quest to try light treatment.  It is definitely worth a try.  Even though my light treatment took a month to respond, most authorities say that is occurs far more quickly.  Good luck to you.
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6726276 tn?1421126668
Hi. I take Seraquell too. & wake 3 or 4 times a night. I hate that. When I'm in California I even feel a little off with June gloom. I see you have a cat profile. Pets help me soooo much. I think talking to them, playing even feeding my dog & kitty keeps me in the moment & keeps the Boo-hooeys away. Pamela
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1305767 tn?1361192676
What was your sleep disorder Sara? I have sleeping problems as well although I take Seroquel for sleep. It helped when I first started it's been about six months and I find that I often wake several times when I sleep.
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6603061 tn?1385316914
You can be affected to the Seasons and apparently a 'Light Box' may help. You can purchase these from Amazon..
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Avatar universal
I too used to have severe depression year round.  My depression was tied to a sleep disorder.  Getting light treatment completely took away my depression.  It took about a month to work, but once it did it was terrific. If I stopped doing the light treatment, 4 days later, the depression would come back.  I used just regular fluorescent long tubed light bulbs which I sat about a foot away from.  I used a whole stack of them tiered, but you probably don't need to go that far.  You feeling tired and no motivation are clear signs of depression.  It's probably worth a try for you.
Helpful - 0
4190741 tn?1370177832
My SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, only goes away in May when the sun is shining more and I am outside more...

Here is some info from a Medical Site...

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer.

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.
_____________________________

I start using my SAD Light in October and continue every day until late spring...It really really helps, I bought the lights Online and bought the extended warranty for 3 years...Best Hundred Dollars I ever spent...

Best Wishes

M
Helpful - 0
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