Treatments for SAD

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

My BF apparently has a mild form of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I'm wondering what, besides getting as much sunlight (or light that mimics it) as possible can be done to ease the lethargy, increased appetite and general blah feeling that he has. He says that this happens to him every year after Daylight Savings Time ends, but I didn't think much of it until seeing it with my own eyes. I like to work out alot and do alot of sports and active things and he has been preferring indoor activities lately (not that I mind ALL indoor activities Wink!).

Anyone here with SAD or who has knowledge of it?

~Marin

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited December 2008

    Check out the Vitamin D and Depression post.  It may be just what you are looking for. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • paige-allyson
    paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
    edited December 2008

    Hi Marin,

    The invention of electicity has been hard on a lot of us. Some people think that SAD is really just a normal adaptive response to seasonal change. Some things that help include getting out in the early morning light for a walk or other exercise. Fish oil has also been shown to help with mood and mood stability, even for more serious problems like bipolar disorders. The recent research on Vitamin D and depression has been really interesting. Supplementing with Vitamin D3 could be a good idea for lots of reasons.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RobinWendy
    RobinWendy Member Posts: 1,983
    edited December 2008

    When I first heard about SAD, the treatment that was discussed was to purchase these panels of fluourescent light (I saw pictures of them and they are like big speakers) and to sit in front of them for periods of time.  I didn't think fluourescent light would really help and the thinking about treatment may have changed since I heard about it but there are doctors out there who are knowledgeable about it.  You may also wish to recommend that your friend investigate anti-depressants.  I know no one wants to have to take "more drugs" but I am on them and they help me cope with Stage IV BC pretty well.

    I hope your friend can find some relief.

    Robin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cmb35
    cmb35 Member Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2008

    Marin,

    I have a friend who has this, or something like it. The only thing that works for her is to get out and exercise, generally first thing in the morning. She is lucky in that she has a loving supportive husband, friends and family close by, who help get her moving. Can you try to make him go for a walk, even if he really doesn't feel like it? A leisurely walk is better than nothing, and might start the ball rolling.

    I know I am subject to depression, and mine is the lay around and do nothing sort. If I can make myself move, and accomplish even one thing (like empty the dishwasher), it helps.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Liz08
    Liz08 Member Posts: 470
    edited December 2008

    You know....I may have a touch of SAD, cause when the day is shorter my energy level definitely goes down. During the spring and summer I'm usually full of energey and when fall comes around, I'm a totally different person.   I noticed that if I let my energy level control what I do then my energy level goes down even more.  Despite how I feel, if I push myself to exercise especially brisk walking outdoors during the day time,  that definitely helps to increase the energy level. Exercise seems to help with alot of ailments.   Best of luck. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2008

    There are also smaller "LED" light boxes.  Here's a link to a site with good discussions of light therapy for depression: http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/LightTherapy.htm#whole

    There are a number of different kinds of lights (as discussed at the site above), but here's a site with instructions to allow you to build one for yourself:  http://moodhalo.com/index.html 

    NAYY...and I don't have personal experience of any of them (although I've been looking into it).

    HTH,

    LisaAlissa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2008

    Thanks everyone! Liz...Your exercise "prescription" is one that he actually decided to try himself this past week. He went to the gym nearly everyday and, thankfully, seems to be back to his old self (we've only been together for 7 months, so I'm not sure whether I even know his "old" self, but I mean the one I know!). Now that Friday has come around, I'm thrilled at his response to all of my suggested plans. This is the holiday season and I wanna party, man!

    ~Marin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories