Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
Summer solstice is over. I just ordered my SAD desk lamp model from Sunbox. I tried it in the past and felt noticeably better. after trialing a cheaper model last year that didn't work for me, I'm going with this one.
I have this light now (Sunbox desk lamp) but can't use it because I have dry eye. But I turn it on and use it as a light rather than directing it toward my eyes for light therapy). It's really bright and that seems to get me into a happy mood.
I live in a part of Vermont that is on par with Portland Oregon in the winter. Very little sunlight. But it is snowy and very icy cold. So days are short. And also there is lack of sulight.
Someone once told me to shine a flashlight on the area people think of as their third eye. I think its part of "energy medicine" involving meridians ( chinese medicine) and such. I cannot remember the exact system it helps. Thymus?? Anyway, it had something to do with SAD, from which I suffer.
Also, getting through the whole holidays thing is greusome for me. Takes me weeks in January to recover from it all. When I used to eat and cook what I wanted, I looked forward to the wonderful cooking and eating aspects of the holidays. But I no longer cook or endulge in such lovely foods. So that adds to the depression for sure. This year will be expecially challenging being the first christmas without my brother. Finally, living in a very cold climate means windows closed. Thats a bit hard during those dark days of winter.
I've already been trying to plan how I will handle winter, so I was thrilled to see a thread on here!
I have depression and take antidepressants for it, but it gets even WORSE in the winter, and I have never been able to sustain any weight loss over the winter. A few times in my life I have had significant weight loss and was doing very well until November hit...then everything unraveled and fell apart, and I gained all the weight back and then some.
If I'm going to work hard all summer, I really don't want this to end up like every other time.
I've been making a list of things I can do, including joining some fitness challenges, finding an online support group, do a HUGE amount of pre-meal planning, and possibly look into getting counseling over the winter.
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Looking back, I had dealt with SAD since my teen years but only began to realize what was going on in recent years. (I'm in my 30s).
My SAD does not hit until right after Christmas. I feel like the holidays really have a positive impact on my mental state, and I am truly excited for each one (Halloween, THanksgiving, Christmas).
But with in a day after Christmas is over, it hits me. This HUGE let down. I will say I notice that my physical energy starts to decrease around November, so exercise seems to taper off, but the full blown depression doesn't hit until Dec 26th.
I start to feel a bit better around April/May, but like clock work every year I put on weight during that SAD time.
Its not just my weight though! If I look back over my life (and still currently) the spring is when I typically have a history of changing jobs, starting new projects, making and achieving new goals, starting a class, or initiating new friendships, joining clubs etc. Then as the fall comes to an end, that's when I have a history of dropping out of classes, failing to maintain new friendships, not going out as much. Weight gain and loss are just one little piece of the puzzle.
For those that are going to use the light, I would love to see a follow up thread. I have thought about getting one but I worry it will not work.
Maybe we can start a support thread for SAD that runs until spring? It would be nice to have a place to check in with those that understand. Its so crippling to know once a year all my energy/motivation etc is just going to disappear. I start to get nervous about the week before Christmas every year.
I live in a part of Vermont that is on par with Portland Oregon in the winter. Very little sunlight. But it is snowy and very icy cold. So days are short. And also there is lack of sulight.
Someone once told me to shine a flashlight on the area people think of as their third eye. I think its part of "energy medicine" involving meridians ( chinese medicine) and such. I cannot remember the exact system it helps. Thymus?? Anyway, it had something to do with SAD, from which I suffer.
Also, getting through the whole holidays thing is greusome for me. Takes me weeks in January to recover from it all. When I used to eat and cook what I wanted, I looked forward to the wonderful cooking and eating aspects of the holidays. But I no longer cook or endulge in such lovely foods. So that adds to the depression for sure. This year will be expecially challenging being the first christmas without my brother. Finally, living in a very cold climate means windows closed. Thats a bit hard during those dark days of winter.
Flower, I'm sad to read about losing your brother Thanks for the flashlight idea. I will definitely try it out. Vermont is dark! One thing I love on the dark mornings is the space to meditate, which i don't enjoy once it's light. Have you tried a SAD light?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GlamourGirl827
For those that are going to use the light, I would love to see a follow up thread. I have thought about getting one but I worry it will not work.
Maybe we can start a support thread for SAD that runs until spring? It would be nice to have a place to check in with those that understand. Its so crippling to know once a year all my energy/motivation etc is just going to disappear. I start to get nervous about the week before Christmas every year.
Good idea!
Re SAD light, Sunbox offers a 30 day money back trial. 2 years ago, I returned it and got a full refund. You might be out the shipping cost though. there is a cheaper one on Amazon that my friend swore by, and she has major depression. Her doc recommends it to everyone and it's quite popular. Didn't do anything for me--not sure why not.
Here's the info I posted a few months ago; the Lightphoria is the cheaper one. Off season it was 45.00 and during late fall went up to 67.00. The thing is that they work best if begun early, before SAD is in full swing.
I've had years when I didn't have SAD & I think the difference was that I managed to get outdoors a lot. Easier to do in moderate climate, for sure.
I finally bought a light box. I really didn't have a lot of extra cash so I bought a $35 one from Amazon. It has good reviews, so I figure it's worth a shot. I can already feel that cloak of darkness creeping up. I hate it. It should be here Wednesday. I can't wait to give it a try!
mars - how is yours working for you, even with the dry eye problem?
I think I will also need to set better goals for myself for the winter months as far as going to the gym. And I need to make myself accountable for those goals. I gradually find myself sinking deeper into the couch and the next thing I know it's been weeks since I've worked out, yet I know working out helps my mood. Must stay on top of it this year. I'm looking forward to having this thread, at the very least, to motivate me.
Hi nonamslob Isn't that couch tempting as fall approaches? I have the same tendency. The years I didn't have SAD were the years I was involved in volunteer work that required me to be out hiking the beach regularly. Of course working less helped!
Anyhow, good luck with your light box. Right now I am compromising until I see the eye specialist tomorrow. I turn it on while using the computer in the am, but don't direct the ight towrds my eyes. I swear i feel better just with the amazingly bright light. I'm energy-conscious so always make breakfast in the dark--how nutty is that????
Anyhow, your light should come with directions. Usually you start gradually and build up the time to about 20 minutes, best first thing in the morning. It can interfere with sleep if you do it in the evening.
It's worth taking a tape measure to have it at a constant distance, and using a timer. Unless it says other wise, you don't have to look right into the light, but it should be directed toward your eyes. It shouldn't cause redness or eye irritation.
Keep us posted! Your other resolutions should be effective as well--I think I'd better try those too. Inertia is oh so powerful!
I've also read that eating some carbs in the evening can help your brain make serotonin while you sleep. It's that potato diet book, and also Ideal protein now recommends evening carb. I'm following this cautiously using things like butternut squash, maybe an apple or some beans. I've also added omega 3 suppplements and 2 oz avocado every day. I feel it's helping.
Wow, I have a lot on my mind around this topic! I try to wrap my mind around the dark. I get up very early. Now I go out and look up at the night sky, listen to the owl who has moved in for the winter, maybe meditate or spend a few moments observing my breath.
Commitments for the coming months are not to get crazy busy during the holidays. Maybe that's a thread: resolutions to mitigate winter blues?
Thanks for all your thoughts and tips. I am thinking in the morning once I get to the office will work well. I wake up less than an hour before I get to the office. I don't have the will to get up earlier just to sit in front of a light at home, so hopefully it will still work if I wait an hour after waking! I don't usually have an issue falling to sleep but I will remember the carbs if I start having a problem when I use the light.
I'm so glad it is working for you so far. I think it would be good to keep this discussion going, especially with our little resolutions.
Thanks for the flashlight idea. I will definitely try it out. Vermont is dark! One thing I love on the dark mornings is the space to meditate, which i don't enjoy once it's light. Have you tried a SAD light?
