Do you get depressed this time of year?

It seems to me that every winter I get "depressed." I feel bummed out, have no drive, my production is down, and I don't know what to do. I assume this is depression, maybe it's more common than I think. I lose focus early and often, can't sleep right, and I go ridiculously long periods of time without eating. But I'm not hungry, I just don't get it. My poor wife has to bear the brunt of my displeasure, with the remaining portion dealt unfairly to my co-workers. (Some of these assholes deserve it, but most don't.) I can't muster the drive to do much of anything. It fucking sucks. My old lady brought me some Zoloft the other day from her office, and I just started taking it today. Hopefully this shit works, and doesn't take a whole month to kick in. I think it has something to do with the weather, it's always so gray and shitty this time of year.(I live in NOVA). I'm not lunching out about killing myself or anything stupid like that. I ususally find myself seeking God and going to church a lot more this time of year, which isn't really good in my eyes. I should be doing that anyways, not when I feel I need help. Anyways, thanks in advance for your thoughts and ideas or recommendations or whatever.

NOBU

Personally I like winter so it doesn't hit me as hard but your situation is very very common. I know alot of people who suffer from winter depression and most people don't take it seriously but it is a problem. While I can't really recommend taking Zoloft if it wasn't prescribed to you, if it works, good. Perhaps you should go and get a prescription for it so your sure you are taking the right dosage and all. Don't let it get you down though, you can control the depression.

Yeah, thanks. I actually had a doc at my wife's office prescribe it, and she just brought home a sample for this month. I appreciate the help and encouragement though. Holler

NOBU

I was told that the lack of sunlight can cause the winter blues.Apparently you can buy some sort of lightbulb that you can sit beside that simulates what ever it is you get from the sun . Good luck your not alone

Yea Go Leafs Go is right, they use those lights in Alaska since they have alot of darkness about 6 months out of the year. They are around 600.00-1000.00 last time I had seen them in a catalouge but they work very well, you just have to sit under them and it simulates the sun however it won't work if your not around the light.

We had to move away from Oregon because my mom had that problem - it's called Seasonal Affective Disorder and is caused by you being a person who needs sunlight and not getting enough in the winter.

Get one of those lightbulbs and sit with it several hours a day. Open the blinds whenever you can and try getting outside to do yardwork or walk places or whatever.

Also consider moving. It does not sound like you are suited to your climate and might do much better somewhere like Arizona.

yOU GUYS HAVE SOME GREAT IDEAS AND OPINIONS. I thank you for that. I'll have to check into those lights, the Doc told me that I do need to get more sun, but when it's this cold, I'm fucked. Boingo82, I didn't knowit was actually a disorder. Good to know I ain't the only one. I've always wanted to move to Florida(Tampa specifically) or Arizona. My wife lost her dad a little over a year ago, and really doesn't want to move cuz her Mom is still here. It's hard for me to tell her that our life should mean more to her than her mom and sister, but that's the honest to God's truth. Maybe I'll work on a way to get her to go while I'm using this light thingamajiggy. Actually, last time we saw my brother in FLA, she said she'd love to go, IF we could come up with the loot to send her home "ONCE A MONTH OR SO!" Are you fucking kidding me??!?! Once a month? Who the fuck in their right mind would even consider such a thing? Anyways, thanks to you all. Now I'll go back to my cars instead of wallowing. Holler

NOBU

Driving isn't as fun, but its pretty out.

I don't personally man, but their are lots of people up here in alaska who do because of the lack of sunlight. It is an actual condition people have been diagnosed with although I forget the name of it and the treatment is putting large high powered lights in your room.

Crazy stuff, but hold out man...it will be over with soon :D

Pfft. Cry babies. Winter is the best time of the year. Get outside and get some exercise and you'll feel fine.

Pfft. Cry babies. Winter is the best time of the year. Get outside and get some exercise and you'll feel fine.

I find the price of lift passes far too depressing.SAnd the thought of all those flashy kids whizzing past while I'm struggling to stay upright justs reminds me how old I am.

True enough about the lift prices. The things we do for entertainment...

Pfft. Cry babies.

That's not nice Grant, it's one thing to snow 10 hours a day but sunlight 2 hours a day, you try it.

That's not nice Grant, it's one thing to snow 10 hours a day but sunlight 2 hours a day, you try it.

Or the situation we had in Oregon, which is not seeing the actual sun for 7 continuous months because it is overcast in winter.

Also consider this affects some people and not others. My mom went absolutely nuts, she is one of the people who doesn't even HAVE blinds and installs 100 watt bulbs everywhere etc. Whereas I was perfectly content in OR, and here in Utah we keep the blinds drawn 24/7 and our living room is painted dk. green and only has one little light in it...some people just need light more than others.

Winter? :dunno: Is that when it rains one day a month?

...My wife lost her dad a little over a year ago, and really doesn't want to move cuz her Mom is still here. It's hard for me to tell her that our life should mean more to her than her mom and sister, but that's the honest to God's truth....NOBU

On the thing of your wife needing to be near family - I understand that, a large reason why we live where we do is that my family is 55 miles away and I can visit frequently.
Is there any possibility that your wife's mom and/or sister would be willing to move? You may want to talk to a doctor about this, so your family realizes it IS an important matter. If you are having extended periods of depression every winter that can seriously affect your relationships.

Not having enough sun is a disorder and most doctors perscribe Light boxes. wich is just a light fixture with a sun light in it.. you can also get these bulbs in your local hard ware store.. and how it works is if you sit at a desk while you are at work keep it on your desk or if you are in one area all the time go keep it there and try to go as close to it as tolerable.. this is why they are generally small desk lamps with those bulbs.. and it does help considerable.. also if you can and you are not scared of the heath risks try going tanning.. that also helps cause it gives your body the illusion that you are in the sun and besides it is totally relaxing and enjoyabkle if you do it right.. plus everyone looks more healthy with a tan.. start out slow though or you will burn.. I hope this helps.. and also check with your health insurance company cause most of the time light boxes are covered by you insurance if you can find a DME (durable medical equip.) supplier who is contracted with your health insurance.. good luck

Too bad a tan is actaully your body's way of dealing with the damage that the sun has dealt the skin. I dont find tans as healthy looking so...

yeah well i personally think a person who is pale white with no pigment in there skin, is not healthy looking... I Also was not suggesting that some one go and get a dark ass tan, i was suggesting maybe once a week going to a tanning salon even wearing sun block if wanting to just to help a person over come the type of depression some get from the lack of sun light in the winter months

Yeah, I'm pale as shit anyways. I'd definitely need to start tanning real slow. I think it looks good too. Probly cuz I'm so crackerish. boingo82, I really can't have my in-laws move too. First off, I don't think they would, and 2nd, they are my in-laws, so I really hate to be so cliche(SP), but I don't like them. Not to be douche, they don't like me either. We are very different, politically, spiritually, and logically. I really miss my father-in-law though. He was one hell of a guy. He used to hate me, but I was a piece of shit kid. Once I started growing up, he was the first to see it. I think that's why he was so glad that I finally asked him about marrying his daughter. I reallly do appreciate all the help. OZ, I'll be the first to agree, I hate people that fucking whine. I just don't knowwhat's wrong with me. I'm usually a super obnoxious, loud ass, happy go lucky, show me where the party is, I'm trying to meet some new people kind of guy. I mean, you can't be a pouty pussy in my line of work. You need to be able to get up get out and get something. It's some do or die shit really. If you don't hustle and get that money, you don't eat. Plain and simple. I can however, appreciate a good ball bustin, so on that note, thanks. Holler

NOBU