Sad and Mad

[Dana Jean]

EMARX - you're singing my song. Like Spidey, I'm also in the southern United States, so lack of sunshine and severe cold is not an issue. But, the funk hangs heavy upon me just the same. Everyone here has excellent suggestions, especially walking and crafting. The sadness hit me a couple of months ago - too much ISIS, in addition to the daily atrocities you heard about on the news (poor parenting, stupid people being violent, etc.). For two solid weeks I couldn't read, couldn't pray, didn't laugh, and considered getting on a pill (still actually kind of thinking about that). Two things saved me: 1) I started reading A Game of Thrones; 2) I started planning a trip. I don't know how your finances are, but this trip thing is what's really getting me excited. Find a place you want to go, it doesn't have to be far away, and research the hell out of it. Mine isn't far - just one state over, about a 3 hour drive. I travel a lot with my family, but this is MY trip - I'm going alone. And I'm going to pay for it myself by selling crap on eBay and scrimping and saving until I can pay for it. It's only going to be for a couple of nights, but wow - three days of being on my own schedule, cooking what I want to eat, staying up until 2:00 a.m. and watching stars in silence - bliss. (My family doesn't know about it yet, and that's part of the fun.)

I hope you can find something to get you excited, EMARX.

Sounds good.

 

[EMARX]

I'm touched by everyone's suggestions, personal experiences, musical choices and jokes. I've taken some to heart already and I do feel a tad lighter today. My default position is to react to life with humour and sarcasm but sometimes even that is a grind. Thank You All.

 

[blunthead]

SAD is a physical condition, not just a state of mind. Your doctor might be able to prescribe a professional light box, or at least try picking up some full spectrum light bulbs that mimic daylight. The lights physically affect you, allowing your brain to create/maintain a healthier chemical balance and lift your mood. You can pick up a light therapy lamp on Amazon for as little as 40 bucks. Or you can get full spectrum light bulbs at any hardware store.

Four hours is a long time. Is there some hobby you can do in that time? Something small that you can fit in a satchel you can carry on? Like needlepoint or knitting? Or, if you drive, I highly recommend audio books.

Good word.

 

[blunthead]

I hate when the Sun is shady. I'm used to my shadows knowing what's up.

 

[blunthead]

Emarx, I can relate to you completely. When I get ready to go to work, I go outside to start the car to warm it up. I nearly cry every time because it's all dark and cold and depressing. Then, as soon as it starts to be at least a little light on my drive to work, we set the clocks forward, and I'm back in the dark again.
If you're looking for a positive, uplifting book, may I recommend Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado? Even if you've seen the movie Alive and/or read that book, Miracle in the Andes by Nando, from his point of view of the plane crash in the mountains, is one of the most humbling and life-changing books I've ever read. However, the setting is super wintry cold, so you might want to save it until it's a little warmer!
Also, here's a commercial that makes me smile and feel better:
And PM me for some medical advice if you want.
Here's to warmer days in the future. d

I had to steal this video to post in the Animals Thread.

 

[danie]

I had to steal this video to post in the Animals Thread.

Every time I watch it, I cry!

 

[blunthead]

Every time I watch it, I cry!

Crying is good to do, sometimes, when it's for the right reasons.

 

[danie]

Crying is good to do, sometimes, when it's for the right reasons.

You are a good man.

 

[blunthead]

You are a good man.

Thank you, danie. I needed that.

 

[danie]

Thank you, danie. I needed that.

 

[blunthead]

Backatcha.

 

[Demeter]

What works for me in this situation is to change something, however small - either plan a trip (can be a one day thing, nothing fancy, just a change of scenery), buy a gift for someone (again, nothing extravagant), or call a friend and make a plan to go out even for a couple of hours. Routine can be a pain.

 

[blunthead]

After a prolonged period of a kind of post traumatic stress, I'm at the point of being able to challenge my apathy (depression, sadness), with a view to overcoming or at least dealing better with it. Everyday I'm going to get something done around my house (there's plenty) other than the routine chores. This is a little uncomfortable for me, but doable, and besides I almost always find that what I worry about making a task difficult never happens. I end up enjoying myself, in fact.

What I've said is my personal idea of approaching my issues. I don't know what treatments are advised by professionals for SAD. My thoughts and prayers for everyone who suffers due to changes in seasons or in any other way.