Seasonal Affective Disorder

[Caitierose28]

Ok, I am 15 and a usual moody teenager, but for the past 2 years or so I've been feeling seriously depressed in the winter time, usually starting with the fall. I have never really liked the winter, and I've usually had the winter blahs, but nothing quite this seveir. I herd about this thing called Seasonal Affective Disorder, and since I thought I fit most of the symptoms I asked my Mom about it (since she is a nurse who minored in psychology), but she thought I was just being a hypochondriac. She could be right, but now that it's fall I'm becoming seriously depressed again and It's becoming harder and harder to focus on school. I have never been tested or diagnosed with any mental or mood disorder.

[Anneinside]

If your depression is caused by bad memories then you need to start seeing a therapist to work on it. If it is Seasonal Affective Disorder then a SAD light can help. If you have insurance and a doctor prescribes the light then it will be covered at least to some extent by the insurance.

[innerchild09]

Sorry that you were bullied in school. I know how much that can effect a person. When I was in school I became really depressed. Excpet for me I was lousy all the time, but I think summer helped. But that was cuz I got away from all the taunting and teasing. Mine isnt seasonal though cuz Im sad very often doesnt matter what time. But seasonal needs to be checked out too if you are that. Cuz depression is depression. So it needs to be taken seriosly as well. So I hope you are able to find out whats going on with you.

[RainLover71]

Occupy your mind and find things to do even if during the winter they are indoor activities.Depression is a state of the mind,they call it the black dog and i don,t know if your depressed really but bad memories keep comming back about the bullying etc.Work on activities that will distract you from these thoughts.You can always find something to do that will take your mind of this situation,good luck.

[Caitierose28]

Thank you

[Caitierose28]

Thank you

[mammo]

In my opinion it does sound like you could have Seasonal Disorder and need to talk to your mom about this again.  Often as parents we don't want to think that anything is affecting our children and feel if we don't make a big deal of it....it will go away.  But this is not the case and not fair to you.
The dreariness of fall and winter gets to most people to an extent, but for others it's a real downer.  You want to keep lots of lights on wherever you are to give the illusion of brighter days.  Talk to your mom again and find out what can be done to help you thru these dreary times.....they can be depressing and you want to nip it in the bud now.  I hope this helps and best wishes.

[Caitierose28]

I get sad in winter mostly from bad memories about bullying in middle school. It dosnt hurt so much over the summer, and I'm in a new school now were I'm treated well. I'm not easily set of, but for some reason it's hard for me to get my mind off of it in the winter. Also, the abuse wasn't physical, but I occasionally have violent dreams about it, usually at the start of school.

[innerchild09]

I think its worth getting it checked out. Sounds like you should be tested not just for that but depression too and other mental disorders. Do you know if theres anything in paticular that makes you feel worse in the winter, like bad memories or anything, the cold weather? I think you need to get your mom to see how serios you are feeling. You need to tell her how depressed you feel and list everything thats going on and tell her you need some help expecially if you are having thoughts about hurting yourself or you feel like you dont want to live. But even if your not still talk to your mom and urge her to get you to a doctor because this isnt good. Being depressed is a really hard thing to deal with. Good luck with this.