![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 19 to 43 of 43. Go back in thread:
Posted by Donna Louise on June 11, 2006, at 19:23:34
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » cecilia, posted by pulse on June 8, 2006, at 6:26:54
Add me to the list of folks who get worse with depresseion in the summer. I have noticed this for some time and thought I might have some sort of reverse SAD but I did not know such a condition had been identified. So it is with great relief that I can stop expecting so much of myself in the summer. I always get so dismayed that I am not doing better or feeling like I am relapsing. I live in Fla., need I say more. I despise the time change when we get even more daylight at night. I never adjust to it all summer. On the other hand, I cannot tolerate the cold and get depressed with more than one day of gray weather so I must live in a place like Fla. I have not heard anyone else say this. That they get worse in the summer but can't tolerate cold or gray days. I guess I lose all the way around! No, not in Fla. we don't get too cold or have many gray days. And I LOVE Oct. always have. It is like a sigh of relief, like a long reign of oppression is over.
Donna
Posted by pulse on June 11, 2006, at 19:36:58
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too!, posted by Donna Louise on June 11, 2006, at 19:23:34
boy, then you do get the double whammy. i could never live in fla., and am putting off a visit that i need to make down there.
i may be sorry about that sooner than later, but i must put my mental health first.i LOVE both as many grey or rainy days as possible in a row. that's why i'm thinking of moving to the seattle area = nirvana for me.
Posted by Donna Louise on June 11, 2006, at 19:47:35
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » Donna Louise, posted by pulse on June 11, 2006, at 19:36:58
> boy, then you do get the double whammy. i could never live in fla., and am putting off a visit that i need to make down there.
> i may be sorry about that sooner than later, but i must put my mental health first.
>
> i LOVE both as many grey or rainy days as possible in a row. that's why i'm thinking of moving to the seattle area = nirvana for me.
If you could make the trip to Fla right now, you would be here for a tropical storm which I love, very exciting, breaks up the awful monotony and I am something of an adrenaline junkie...donna
Posted by pulse on June 12, 2006, at 6:59:58
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Donna Louise on June 11, 2006, at 19:47:35
that reminds me of the exciting golfball-size or larger hail - for 15 minutes - then sun back out, not a cloud in sky - in new mexico. but, we nearly always had a breeze, even at 90+ degrees.
enjoy!
if you don't mind saying, what part of fla. are you in - north, mid, south - coastal or gulf-side? (info for the trip i need to make).
pulse
Posted by Donna Louise on June 12, 2006, at 9:47:54
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too!, posted by pulse on June 12, 2006, at 6:59:58
> that reminds me of the exciting golfball-size or larger hail - for 15 minutes - then sun back out, not a cloud in sky - in new mexico. but, we nearly always had a breeze, even at 90+ degrees.
>
> enjoy!
>
> if you don't mind saying, what part of fla. are you in - north, mid, south - coastal or gulf-side? (info for the trip i need to make).
>
> pulse
>
>
>
>No, I don't mind at all. I am in the middle of the state, north of Orlando. Half way between Daytona and Ocala. I live in the Ocala National Forest because I do do distance riding (on horses) and need the miles of trails at my disposal that won't be snatched up by developement.
We had a doosey of a storm come through at 5:30 this morning. Waiting on some more fun to come.donna
Posted by Rosebud on June 12, 2006, at 10:25:42
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Donna Louise on June 12, 2006, at 9:47:54
I don't believe I posted this info here.
Yesterday I got an email from a lady who finds EFT helpful for summer SAD symptoms.
Posted by Caedmon on June 12, 2006, at 22:54:17
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » Donna Louise, posted by pulse on June 11, 2006, at 19:36:58
> i LOVE both as many grey or rainy days as possible in a row. that's why i'm thinking of moving to the seattle area = nirvana for me.>
Me too. I will be moving to the Seattle area for this very reason. :-) (Technically Bellingham, twixt Seattle and Vancouver BC). Sadly not until September. For graduate school. Reverse SAD was a major factor in my decision.
- Chris
Posted by Cece on June 13, 2006, at 0:05:54
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Caedmon on June 12, 2006, at 22:54:17
I have thought of moving to the Pacific Northwest myself (from the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area) both because of climate and because it is sooo expensive to live here.
Let’s keep this thread going from time to time and check in on other people’s experiences- if enough of us move to that part of the world, we could start our own little RSAD support group! I’m not entirely kidding on that one- just be sure and check the box when you post that says “notify you of later follow-ups to this thread”. I was notified about jrw’s post, which was 5 years after my last post on this topic, so it really works!
One thing that’s similar for me to what some others have posted is that changes in weather, especially dramatic ones, especially storms, anytime of the year, energize me and pull me out of the doldrums.
One thing that’s different for me is that I like the long days of summer- I like the cooler (it gets cooler here in the evening even during hot spells) evenings when the light is softening, and I really enjoy being outside then.
So for me, it’s really about heat and glare. And oppressively smoggy and hazy days when the air is still also get to me, a breeze can make all the difference in my mood.
It’s dry here from Spring til Fall (Mediterranean climate) and the dry dustiness of Summer makes me antsy and nutsy. October is a relief for me not only because of the cooler weather, the feeling of change in the air, and the softening light, but because it means our rains will be coming soon and clearing the air. I was in Scotland last September and people kept apologizing to me for all the rain and clouds- I kept saying, “you don’t understand, I like it!”.
What I experience in Summer (mostly better since my meds got refined, but more activated this year by a lot of stress) is what I think is a mixed state kind of bi-polar, kind of a hypomanic depression.
> > i LOVE both as many grey or rainy days as possible in a row. that's why i'm thinking of moving to the seattle area = nirvana for me.>
>
> Me too. I will be moving to the Seattle area for this very reason. :-) (Technically Bellingham, twixt Seattle and Vancouver BC). Sadly not until September. For graduate school. Reverse SAD was a major factor in my decision.
>
> - Chris
>
>
Posted by pulse on June 13, 2006, at 17:00:23
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Caedmon on June 12, 2006, at 22:54:17
am SOOOO envious.
one day, at an ohio thrift store, of all places, i asked a complete stranger a question.
we then got to talking and for 30 minutes, as she was just visiting, and was actually from seattle environs. i had housing $ questions about seattle vs. portland, which i might actually prefer, but still likely too sunny/ hot. portland seems to have a more relaxing and old-time-town-in-big-city feel, though. also, even though they've not yet caught up with seattle, portland has lots of art/ decorative arts going on.
anywho, i'd done my research on 'around seattle', and found, to my amazement, that she suggested the same places i'd decided were most affordable: olympia, bremerton, and, lastly, (not 100% sure) was bellingham.
in truth, as i'm such a loner/ hermit type, my dream is several of the smaller san juan islands.
maybe sometime soon i'll be able to visit my good friend outside vancouver, bc.
great good luck in grad school!
pulse
Posted by pulse on June 13, 2006, at 17:05:23
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Donna Louise on June 12, 2006, at 9:47:54
i ride western, but bareback, whenever possible. nothing ever beat riding bareback in the ocean - only got to do that once - 37 yrs. ago.
distance riding - huh? wow! sounds great.
pulse
Posted by pulse on June 13, 2006, at 17:14:07
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too!, posted by Cece on June 13, 2006, at 0:05:54
oh yes, all the rain in edinborough was the only part of my england to scotland bus tour that i really liked. stayed in edinborough the longest of all departures.
let's all DO move and start our own RSAD community.
now, where do i find the courage to move 3, 000 miles from 'home,' and leave my support system, that i've worked too hard to find, for so many years?
pulse
Posted by Donna Louise on June 13, 2006, at 17:43:23
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » Donna Louise, posted by pulse on June 13, 2006, at 17:05:23
> i ride western, but bareback, whenever possible. nothing ever beat riding bareback in the ocean - only got to do that once - 37 yrs. ago.
>
> distance riding - huh? wow! sounds great.
>
> pulseYes, it is perfect for me. I don't like walking, I like to trot and canter for hours at a time. The motion is soothing to me. And on a hot Arab, it fullfills some of my need to be living on the edge. Distance riding is not western or English, we have distance saddles, mine does not have a tree, so it is somthing like a bareback pad. I can't ride bareback anymore and don't know how I ever did because it hurts! That is the only way I did ride as a kid, bareback for hours at a time, canter and gallop. No trotting then, can't post without stirrups. So I am back to my preteen lifesytle. How on earth could I be depressed????
donna
Posted by cecilia on June 13, 2006, at 22:30:40
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » Caedmon, posted by pulse on June 13, 2006, at 17:00:23
Actually it's a myth that the Pacific Northwest is cool and rainy year round. July through September are HOT! And because of the myth air conditioned apartments are virtually impossible to find.
Posted by pulse on June 14, 2006, at 7:26:12
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Donna Louise on June 13, 2006, at 17:43:23
first i learned english; first lessons in 6th grade, in our big university town - miami of OHIO. ha! great well-known crusty old gal owner & instructor. stern, 'now ladies don't doddle!", but kind & a great horsewoman.
got my own horse at 16; half quarter horse/ half appaloosa. apps are my very favorite-looking breed, but usually easily16-17 hands high, and often quite unruly. mine - being a cross, was tops 14 hands (tiny and delicate); the reddish 'sable' color of most quarter horses. thankfully, she did have those great app spots on her hindquarters... and a bit of the app stubbornness, but never once tried to throw me. took a few western 'lessons' (more often left to own devices), where i then had to board her. did the ring indoors and out; small jumps; trails.
shortly thereafter, moved to a farm (22 yrs. total there), and right down the street from a western, non-boarding stable - where the guides (aka water boys and hanger-outers) went with you, until they knew that you knew what you were doing. 20 yrs. later, i married the youngest brother of the 3 who worked there for their grampa, the owner, who rode until he died at age 80!
i also rode my dad's tennessee walker abit.
riding any style is so good for your health, and, yes, i, too found it so very relaxing.
it IS hard to believe you're depressed if you can still do this for such long distances, but, of course, i believe you. good going! for sticking with it. nowadays, i only have my dancing.
pulse
Posted by pulse on June 14, 2006, at 7:38:18
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too!, posted by cecilia on June 13, 2006, at 22:30:40
myth? please inform my friend, whose always complaining about the year-round rain and cool, causing her depression. she's lived in tacoma for nearly 40 yrs.
Posted by Donna Louise on June 14, 2006, at 19:50:15
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » Donna Louise, posted by pulse on June 14, 2006, at 7:26:12
> first i learned english; first lessons in 6th grade, in our big university town - miami of OHIO. ha! great well-known crusty old gal owner & instructor. stern, 'now ladies don't doddle!", but kind & a great horsewoman.
>
> got my own horse at 16; half quarter horse/ half appaloosa. apps are my very favorite-looking breed, but usually easily16-17 hands high, and often quite unruly. mine - being a cross, was tops 14 hands (tiny and delicate); the reddish 'sable' color of most quarter horses. thankfully, she did have those great app spots on her hindquarters... and a bit of the app stubbornness, but never once tried to throw me. took a few western 'lessons' (more often left to own devices), where i then had to board her. did the ring indoors and out; small jumps; trails.
>
> shortly thereafter, moved to a farm (22 yrs. total there), and right down the street from a western, non-boarding stable - where the guides (aka water boys and hanger-outers) went with you, until they knew that you knew what you were doing. 20 yrs. later, i married the youngest brother of the 3 who worked there for their grampa, the owner, who rode until he died at age 80!
>
> i also rode my dad's tennessee walker abit.
>
> riding any style is so good for your health, and, yes, i, too found it so very relaxing.
>
> it IS hard to believe you're depressed if you can still do this for such long distances, but, of course, i believe you. good going! for sticking with it. nowadays, i only have my dancing.
>
> pulse
When I am really depressed, I can't ride. Can't do anything. I was just wondering how I could manage to be depressed as blessed as I am with what I am able to do. Just goes to show how external events don't have much to do with the kind I have.Donna
Posted by Cece on June 15, 2006, at 1:49:28
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Donna Louise on June 14, 2006, at 19:50:15
That's EXACTLY what clinical depression or bi-polar depression is- it comes out of left field, doesn't necessarily have to do with what's happening in life (although stress and loss can certainly trigger it).
And that's exactly what people who haven't experienced it don't understand, that it's not normal "ups and downs". I love it when my ups and downs are normal!
Don't you hate it when people tell you to "just snap out of it"?
> When I am really depressed, I can't ride. Can't do anything. I was just wondering how I could manage to be depressed as blessed as I am with what I am able to do. Just goes to show how external events don't have much to do with the kind I have.
>
> Donna
>
Posted by pulse on June 15, 2006, at 3:04:14
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too! » pulse, posted by Donna Louise on June 14, 2006, at 19:50:15
thanks for the clarification, Donna Loiuse. i was back to dancing alot; now, not so much, if at all. i've lost far too much weight from being ill since october. looking anorectic at 54 is not a good thing. i need more sleep and bed rest, and a decent appetite, far more than exercise - for now. weight drop is more from extenal events than endogenous depression - this go 'round. also, more anxiety than i can remember having. to better days!
pulse.
Posted by Donna Louise on June 15, 2006, at 7:31:49
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too!, posted by Cece on June 15, 2006, at 1:49:28
> That's EXACTLY what clinical depression or bi-polar depression is- it comes out of left field, doesn't necessarily have to do with what's happening in life (although stress and loss can certainly trigger it).
>
> And that's exactly what people who haven't experienced it don't understand, that it's not normal "ups and downs". I love it when my ups and downs are normal!
>
> Don't you hate it when people tell you to "just snap out of it"?
>
>
> > When I am really depressed, I can't ride. Can't do anything. I was just wondering how I could manage to be depressed as blessed as I am with what I am able to do. Just goes to show how external events don't have much to do with the kind I have.
> >
> > Donna
> >
>
>Yes, I want to slap them. Do they think I would feel so bad if I had a choice??????
And Pulse, I too need to make sure I get plenty of rest and eat right and at appropriate times during the day. I was getting too much rest before the EMSAM but now I see at 52 I really need my sleep.
Donna
Posted by Jakeman on June 16, 2006, at 0:03:27
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds - me too!, posted by Donna Louise on June 11, 2006, at 19:23:34
I like winters in Austin. Summers are brutal. I want to move to Ireland or Scotland.
Jake
Posted by alibooboo on March 27, 2008, at 21:33:45
In reply to Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds (long post), posted by Cece on March 9, 2001, at 3:14:27
I'm the same way. Most people do not understand but it has been a real burden.
Posted by Cece on March 28, 2008, at 17:08:41
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds (long post), posted by alibooboo on March 27, 2008, at 21:33:45
> I'm the same way. Most people do not understand but it has been a real burden.
Although my seasonal preferences and dislike of hot weather and glaring light remain, my seasonal mood problems have improved immensely as my mood stability has improved through meds.
I can recognize now that what I'm prone to in the summer is a kind of mixed-state bipolar cycling. I'm BP II, more of a depressive, have never had full-blown mania, but I have had seriously bad agitated hypomanic depression that qualifies as mixed-state.
I'm now taking Abilify as a mood stabilizer and it's really cut the mixed-state crap.
Here's a link to an article about reverse SAD that I was interviewed for in the NY Times several years ago:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E4DA103AF930A2575BC0A9649C8B63&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=2Good luck in finding some relief,
Cece
Posted by Jimmyboy on September 23, 2010, at 16:32:54
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds (long post), posted by Cece on March 28, 2008, at 17:08:41
Bumping this old thread..
I certainly have this and have charted back the last 15-20 years and there seems to be an unmistakeable pattern of crushing depression starting early to mid may and breaking around early October. Late August and early Sept. are the worst, probably only because its been going on for months by that time and I am at my wit's end and feel like the misery will never end.
Like others on this post, I love gray rainy, cold days. I feel so much better during this time. Energized and ready to go and full of optimism.
Has anyone found a solution any way to bring relief to this problem through medications or through other approaches like manipulating their light exposure or taking melatonin at strange times, like SLS suggested? Would love to hear some tips guys, please let me know if anyone has found anything that has helped.
Posted by Cece on September 23, 2010, at 17:42:14
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds (long post), posted by Jimmyboy on September 23, 2010, at 16:32:54
I've had a pretty amazing improvement in my reverse SAD over the last several years as my meds have gotten better and better tuned. The last couple of years I've actually enjoyed the sunny summer weather! I still dislike really glary bright light (indoors or out) and I still get enervated by high heat, but my tolerance for both is substantially improved and they don't make me feel crazy.
I'm BPII, and my cocktail is: 200mg. Lamictal, 5mg Abilify, 120mg Cymbalta, 20mg Adderall XR (as an AD), and 50mg Trazodone (at night for sleep). I also take Levothroid for a thyroid disorder. I can't attribute the change to any one med and it's happened fairly slowly.
Posted by jrw on March 4, 2011, at 16:00:52
In reply to Re: Reverse SAD?, Weather, Meds (long post), posted by Cece on September 23, 2010, at 17:42:14
CeCe, I'm really glad for you. I have recently discovered that I may also be bipolar II . . . I wonder if there's any relationship?
Anyone else have any recent experience or insight?
> I've had a pretty amazing improvement in my reverse SAD over the last several years as my meds have gotten better and better tuned. The last couple of years I've actually enjoyed the sunny summer weather! I still dislike really glary bright light (indoors or out) and I still get enervated by high heat, but my tolerance for both is substantially improved and they don't make me feel crazy.
>
> I'm BPII, and my cocktail is: 200mg. Lamictal, 5mg Abilify, 120mg Cymbalta, 20mg Adderall XR (as an AD), and 50mg Trazodone (at night for sleep). I also take Levothroid for a thyroid disorder. I can't attribute the change to any one med and it's happened fairly slowly.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.