SAD - Winter blahs

[AlmostMe]

It's been quite a while since I've posted here...

I suffer from an anxiety disorder, I currently see a therapist who specializes in CBT, and my anxiety isn't as bad as it used to be, but at times, especially right now (most of February actually) I've been feeling quite down. I know it's time of year, many suffer the winter blues...Anyway, today my therapy session was cancelled due to my T's children being sick. I'm disappointed because I really needed a good session today.

I feel lazy, down and am isolating myself more than I should be. Am having trouble motivating myself on those low days - BUT - On days that I feel functionable, I am able to go out and about, push myself...It's just those days I feel yukky, I don't seem to be able to push myself. Another problem too is, I'm not able to work right now, so I spend alot of time in my house, the isolation sometimes KILLS me.

Ha, I'm even too lazy and unmotivated to do yoga, which I know will help me feel better! How's that? :huh:

I don't take any meds for my anxiety, I'm a med wimp but I've been thinking of St John's Wort for mild depression but even then, I worry about side effects.

Thanks to those who read my post. Not too sure what I'm asking, I guess this is a little rant... All I know is, I want Spring to come so I can feel better.

AM.

 

[Retired]

Re: SAD/Winter blah's

Many people are affected adversely by daylight deficiency in winter. The condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD

See HERE for some insights and info on SAD.

I don't take any meds for my anxiety, I'm a med wimp

No one wants to take unnecessary medications, but if indeed one is diagnosed with anxiety or depression, these are illnesses that are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

Researchers have made great strides in the last fifteen years to produce medications that target specific brain chemistry with minimal overall disruption.

There is no medication that is 100% side effect free, but when working with a specialist these medications can be tailored to your own body/brain chemistry.

Depression and Anxiety are treatable illnesses, and there is no reason for anyone to have to live with the illness.

I've been thinking of St John's Wort for mild depression

My recollection, (and I stand to be corrected) is that a bonafide scientific trial was done a few years ago to evaluate the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in the treatment of depression, and that St. John's Wort was found to be no more effective than placebo.

Have you ever consulted a Psychiatrist for a diagnosis?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I feel lazy, down and am isolating myself more than I should be. Am having trouble motivating myself on those low days - BUT - On days that I feel functionable, I am able to go out and about, push myself...It's just those days I feel yukky, I don't seem to be able to push myself. Another problem too is, I'm not able to work right now, so I spend alot of time in my house, the isolation sometimes KILLS me.

Ha, I'm even too lazy and unmotivated to do yoga, which I know will help me feel better! How's that?

That's not lazy or unmotivated. That's depression.

I don't take any meds for my anxiety, I'm a med wimp but I've been thinking of St John's Wort for mild depression but even then, I worry about side effects.

Talking to your doctor about one of the SSRI's would be a much better choice. It would help not only with the SAD but also with your anxiety.

My recollection, (and I stand to be corrected) is that a bonafide scientific trial was done a few years ago to evaluate the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in the treatment of depression, and that St. John's Wort was found to be no more effective than placebo.

The evidence is mixed. The studies that show a benefit of St. John's Wort tend to come from areas of Europe where the herbal remedy is produced. The studies that show no effect or marginal effect tend to be larger scale studies with no vested interest in promoting the remedy.

There are also side-effects with St. John's Wort that are not trivial, including increased sensitivity to sunlight and adverse interactions with several other common precription and over the counter medications, including birth control pills.

In contrast, most people can find an SSRI which provides beneifts without side-effects and which do not ionteract with any other Rx or OTC medications they may be taking.

Talk to your doctor, AM. The worst that can happen is you might feel a whole lot better.

 

[AlmostMe]

Thanks for the replies.

That's not lazy or unmotivated. That's depression.

But not severe depression and I know soon it will go away on it's own.

Talking to your doctor about one of the SSRI's would be a much better choice. It would help not only with the SAD but also with your anxiety.

My anxiety isn't like it used to be - Therapy, (CBT) has helped alot with my issues...I just feel right now I've slipped abit due to the winter months and not able to get out and about (between my car doors being frozen and not really wanting to WALK everywhere while it's freezing out there too) as much as I did in the fall, and summer months.

I'm completely scared of taking meds, due to side effects. And, in all honesty, is it worth going on meds just to get me through this hump? How long would it take, what effects would the drugs have on me, what if they make me feel worse? Those are things I need to think about IF I even consider taking 'em.

In contrast, most people can find an SSRI which provides beneifts without side-effects

So going on a very low dose, and depending on the actual drug, would limit the side effects?

No one wants to take unnecessary medications, but if indeed one is diagnosed with anxiety or depression, these are illnesses that are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

Mental illness doesn't run in my family. My anxiety issues started at work, due to stresses, layoffs continually going on around me until finally my number came up. It snowballed after that, and then I got help. Anxiety can be caused by chemical imbalances, yes - But it is also can be brought on by stress, situational crisis's, illnesses, awful and bad experiences...I don't believe my anxiety issues are chemical.

Have you ever consulted a Psychiatrist for a diagnosis?

My therapist knows how I feel about meds, and so far feels that I don't need to go on them. She won't just push pills on her clients - Unless it's absolutely necessary, or they want to.
I've worked through my anxiety med free and I'm proud of myself for that. It's made me stronger in some sense....

I don't have depression, just an anxiety disorder...But right now I've still got some winter blah's (mild depression.)

I guess if I don't feel better in the upcoming weeks I will discuss my options, but as a last resort.

 

[Daniel E.]

(between my car doors being frozen and not really wanting to WALK everywhere while it's freezing out there too)

Though I live in a humid, warm climate most of the year, during the mild winters I will try to do more indoor exercises since it's too cold for me for outdoor biking, etc. So I mostly rely on an indoor exercise bike for cardio exercise. I do find that boring, but I also rely on pushups, weight training, etc. as a way to prevent/combat anxiety and depression.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Mental illness doesn't run in my family. My anxiety issues started at work, due to stresses, layoffs continually going on around me until finally my number came up. It snowballed after that, and then I got help. Anxiety can be caused by chemical imbalances, yes - But it is also can be brought on by stress, situational crisis's, illnesses, awful and bad experiences...I don't believe my anxiety issues are chemical.

Whether your anxiety or depression is caused by "biological" or "neurochemical" factors versus a reaction to life events is irrelevant in considering whether medications can benefit you.

 

[ThatLady]

When I slid into depression, it wasn't chemical, either. It was situational after my daughter's attempted suicide. Nevertheless, I had to get help to get through it. Once I started, I realized there was a lot more that needed working on and things began to surface that I had been repressing and force-controlling by putting on a happy face and blissfully ignoring them.

My depression also had a very strong anxiety adjunct. I underwent CBT and agreed to take medications. It took a couple of tries to find the right thing for me, but once we found it I was able to benefit more from the therapy.

I don't take medications on a regular basis anymore. However, I do tend to get jumpy in the wintertime. February is my absolute worst month. I do find that I need to take Xanax for anxiety, as needed, during this time. It really helps me to make the most of my life.