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Posted 7/21/2005 10:27 AM (GMT -7)

I am going through a particularly bad patch just now, and wearing my nondepressed friends out with my "whining," so I thought I'd better post here. I am 35, and I've been struggling with depression since I was 9. Of course back when it started depression was not understood even as well as it is now, so I had to deal with being considered difficult on top of coping with the disease.

I suffer from summer seasonal affective disorder, which means that while everyone else is delighting in the sun and fun my depression doubles in intensity. We are having a heatwave where I live (it's been going on for two weeks), and I am in a very bad way. I take Prozac for the depression, Ambien for insomnia, and Xanax for occasional panic attacks. I can sometimes control the depression with exercise (walking and yoga), but since it got so hot I can't bring myself to do it. I am a freelancer, so I need to be very self-motivated, and right now it's simply not happening. Case in point: I've been trawling the internet for depression resources instead of working.  Anyone have advice for keeping on track during an episode?

Posted 7/21/2005 1:01 PM (GMT -7)
Dear Scaredy,

I've thought of the mall-walking thing. Malls kind of make me angry, so I try to avoid them. There is always the gym. I keep canceling my membership, thinking "I can walk for free," and then it gets hot or rainy, and I wish I'd stayed with the gym after all. I've often thought I should have a dog, both for the companionship and to force me to walk no matter the weather. But we already have quite a few pets, and my husband doesn't want another animal in the house. I hear we are to get better weather next week, so I ought to be able to get back on track.

Thanks for the encouragement! It is helpful to know I am not alone.

La Lucia
Posted 7/21/2005 5:45 PM (GMT -7)
Hi La Lucia,

I relate too to the difficulty walking in the heat. I have been going in the evening when at least the sun isn't beating on me. (BTW the sun makes me ill so I do have to avoid it or cover up completely to be in it).

Do you like to dance? Is your home air conditioned? I used to walk up and down the three flights of stairs at work when it was hot. That will give you a good workout too . . . and it is in air conditioned place which is no driving involved.

Swimming also comes to mind.

I hope you get lots of answers with some good suggestions!!

Blessings!
Posted 7/22/2005 9:17 AM (GMT -7)
I too can understand the lack of walking in the heat. I live in Phoenix and it has been 114-118 for the past 3 weeks. I wish I had an answer for you. I find that my depression has become and excuse not to exercise. I am too tired or I didn't sleep well the night before (I too suffer from onset insomnia), or a myriad of other things. The best thing I did was start walking with a friend each night. It is much more difficult to make excuses when I have committed to be there with someone else. Good luck and hope you find the answers you are looking for.
Posted 7/22/2005 6:24 PM (GMT -7)
The extreme cold and extreme heat affects everybody, but even more so with people who suffer from depression and/or anxiety disorders. I have anxiety and I do find this heat makes it worse. I don't feel well, I feel very drained and can't motivate myself to do much.

When I start feeling that way I just MAKE myself DO something. Whether it be cleaning up or laundry, watching TV or talking on the phone, or posting about how I feel - It helps. Distraction is a huge plus!!

Do some meditation and positive thinking. It works and is good for the mind, keeps you thinking better thoughts.

I get SAD in the winter, not in the summer. I know how crappy you feel.

Hang in there! It will get better.
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