Depression Support

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Yes, mmhmm - also you can purchase SAD lights/lamps online. I used mine a LOT last winter and it really helped.

This is just one link to purchase from online. There's many more sites if price is a factor or size of the light. This site is from a Cdn supplier. Mine is similar to the first pic here and in this link, there's also an explanation of what SAD is at the bottom, as well as the symptoms - which will give you a better idea of what you're dealing with and if you have the condition. A lot of medical supplies stores or places like drugstores sell the lights as well:

sadtherapylamps.ca/?gclid=CJHAldy-7MECFUNgMgodi3AAFg

.

[busymom]

Thanks for the tips on the SAD lights! I've been thinking I should get one. We're not even halfway through November, & my energy level is slowing too quickly.  At least we've got each other to pull us through this Winter!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Amazon has a nice selection: smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=SAD+lights

[Deleted]

 Thanks for the tips on SAD lights.  I was doing so much better during the summer and then..........CRASH.  It's good to know you are all here!

[Peace77]

Sept 24, 2014 11:59:04 GMT -5 busymom said:

Welcome Engineerdoe!

  Winter is totally my low energy time of the year.  My favorite thing to do for exercise is walk.  If you find exercising to be totally boring, pick an activity you really like, & do it for a short while, then gradually increase the amount of time you do it.

Another thing I do, because it's hard for me to get moving in the morning, is (after my youngest is on the school bus) CRANK a lively tune I like on YouTube.  

By the way, feel free to rant here, or on the other threads.  Holding it in is too hard on yourself.  I agree with mmhmm that it may take several attempts to get the right combination of meds & dosages that works best for you.  Hang in there!

What are you playing on YouTube?   I could really use something to get me moving.  

[busymom]

My taste in music has a lot of variety! When I have trouble waking up, I go for something with a fast tempo.

Examples:  Paramore-"Ain't It Fun", Jennifer Lopez (with Pitbull)-"On the Floor", Coldplay-"A Sky Full of Stars", Mandisa-"Good Morning", Chris Tomlin-"God's Great Dance Floor", Brad Paisley-"Southern Comfort Zone", Rocket Club-"North Country". As you can see, I listen to current hits, Christian contemporary, country music, etc.  I used to have a health club membership a few years ago, & I did better workouts listening to a fast beat. The same type of music gets me moving at home when I'd rather go back to bed.   (And yes, I have a long list.  I wonder if you Googled something like "workout music" if that would help you come up with your own playlist.) 

[Peace77]

Nov 9, 2014 18:51:49 GMT -5 busymom said:

My taste in music has a lot of variety! When I have trouble waking up, I go for something with a fast tempo.

Examples:  Paramore-"Ain't It Fun", Jennifer Lopez (with Pitbull)-"On the Floor", Coldplay-"A Sky Full of Stars", Mandisa-"Good Morning", Chris Tomlin-"God's Great Dance Floor", Brad Paisley-"Southern Comfort Zone", Rocket Club-"North Country". As you can see, I listen to current hits, Christian contemporary, country music, etc.  I used to have a health club membership a few years ago, & I did better workouts listening to a fast beat. The same type of music gets me moving at home when I'd rather go back to bed.   (And yes, I have a long list.  I wonder if you Googled something like "workout music" if that would help you come up with your own playlist.) 

Thank you!

[Jaguar]

Andrew Soloman's TED Talk about depression

www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share?language=en

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Feeling like I'm falling down the rabbit hole again - and everything is spinning in a downward spiral. Too many things going against me the last couple of weeks.

Trying to stay upbeat and maintain my sense of humor, but some days it's just so damn much work to put up a "happy" front when all I really want to do is to curl up into a ball and remain there.

Last night only got +/- 4 hrs sleep. Will be hitting the sack early tonight to try & catch up and see what tomorrow brings.

[mmhmm]

Hopefully, moods will start rising and stabilizing as the weather warms and we see more of the sun. It's been a rough winter for so many.

[busymom]

Hang in there ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ!  I always feel at my worst when I'm short on sleep.  Good planning on your part to get to bed early tonight. 

[Jaguar]

Mar 9, 2015 18:42:26 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

Feeling like I'm falling down the rabbit hole again - and everything is spinning in a downward spiral. Too many things going against me the last couple of weeks.

Trying to stay upbeat and maintain my sense of humor, but some days it's just so damn much work to put up a "happy" front when all I really want to do is to curl up into a ball and remain there.

Last night only got +/- 4 hrs sleep. Will be hitting the sack early tonight to try & catch up and see what tomorrow brings.

Just keep breathing and putting one foot in front of the other.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Once again going through irregular sleep and insomnia. For the last (approx) 3½ weeks, I've been staying up as late as possible to try and get myself tired - this after doing exercises, working out, staying as physically active as possible (for me, having a disability).

I've been getting (approx) anywhere from 3-5 hrs sleep a night (sporadically) in the last month- It's usually hitting the bed around 10:30 or 11:00-11:30 after an hour of yawning. I feel tired and ready to crash - only to wake up after about an hour & a half to 2 hrs for at least 30-40 min. I've tried reading until I doze off - and end up just closing the book after a few chapters & staring at the ceiling in the dark til I eventually nod off - only to wake a short time later and repeat cycle.

I'm feeling the dark cloud hanging over my head again . Tonight (in a few minutes), I'm going to buckle under & take a Unisom sleep aid and hope it wipes me out for the night.

[Deleted]

Jun 5, 2015 23:10:13 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

Once again going through irregular sleep and insomnia. For the last (approx) 3½ weeks, I've been staying up as late as possible to try and get myself tired - this after doing exercises, working out, staying as physically active as possible (for me, having a disability).

I've been getting (approx) anywhere from 3-5 hrs sleep a night (sporadically) in the last month- It's usually hitting the bed around 10:30 or 11:00-11:30 after an hour of yawning. I feel tired and ready to crash - only to wake up after about an hour & a half to 2 hrs for at least 30-40 min. I've tried reading until I doze off - and end up just closing the book after a few chapters & staring at the ceiling in the dark til I eventually nod off - only to wake a short time later and repeat cycle.

I'm feeling the dark cloud hanging over my head again . Tonight (in a few minutes), I'm going to buckle under & take a Unisom sleep aid and hope it wipes me out for the night.

 Sleep tight@scottishlassie. Take two.

Insomnia sucks.

[mmhmm]

I'm naturally nocturnal. It's often hard for me to sleep at night, even if I've been up all day. It's been a couple of years since I've worked nights. I wonder if I'll ever get completely accustomed to a daylight schedule.

[Tennesseer]

Jun 6, 2015 8:30:48 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm naturally nocturnal. It's often hard for me to sleep at night, even if I've been up all day. It's been a couple of years since I've worked nights. I wonder if I'll ever get completely accustomed to a daylight schedule.

I am talking out of my hat here, mmhmm, but what were your sleeping conditions like when you slept during daylight hours after working your night shifts?

For example, your bedroom would probably have had some bit of light in it while you were sleeping during the day. Did you eat or drink anything unique to help you fall asleep in the morning/afternoon hours prior to beginning your night shift?

Is it possible to recreate whatever you did to fall asleep during daylight hours that you could do to fall asleep during nighttime hours? Something/anything to trick your mind and senses into acting as If it were daytime when it is really nightime.

[mmhmm]

Jun 6, 2015 8:48:19 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Jun 6, 2015 8:30:48 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm naturally nocturnal. It's often hard for me to sleep at night, even if I've been up all day. It's been a couple of years since I've worked nights. I wonder if I'll ever get completely accustomed to a daylight schedule.

I am talking out of my hat here, mmhmm, but what were your sleeping conditions like when you slept during daylight hours after working your night shifts?

For example, your bedroom would probably have had some bit of light in it while you were sleeping during the day. Did you eat or drink anything unique to help you fall asleep in the morning/afternoon hours prior to beginning your night shift?

Is it possible to recreate whatever you did to fall asleep during daylight hours that you could do to fall asleep during nighttime hours? Something/anything to trick your mind and senses into acting as If it were daytime when it is really nightime.

No, Tenn, I didn't do anything in particular to make working nights easier. I'm just naturally nocturnal. I've tried keeping lights on and changing my meals around but nothing really helps much. It just takes will power. Most of the time, I'm able to control it. Once in awhile, however, my natural tendencies are a bit more difficult to beat into submission. Fortunately, it doesn't matter all that much these days as long as there's nothing I have to do during the day.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I'm about to *attempt* sleep again.

It's now been 9 consecutive nights of tossing/turning - sleeping an hour here, an hour there - with a couple of hrs staring at the ceiling in between.

Last night I laid down at 10:45 pm with full intention of sleep - even took an OTC sleep aid.

Turned off all the lights, (no distractions) and then waited - and waited - finally dozed after midnight - only to wake again just before 3. I've now been awake just over 21 Hrs (AGAIN!).

((Sigh)) So much crapola has hit my fan in the last couple of weeks and it's really taking its toll.

The rabbit hole is getting bigger.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

It's now almost 21 hrs I've been awake once again - after only a couple of hours sleep here & there if I was lucky last night.

It's now day 12 of this #*&@. So much is hitting my fan this month. I wonder if it's worth getting undressed & going to bed - I may just try to crash on the couch for a couple of hours (if I'm lucky). Not sure how much more I can handle.

Putting on this "happy" front is getting exhausting.

[Jaguar]

Stop fighting it and trying to control it, just let it be. If you can only sleep a few hours at a time so be if for now.

Your post says two things to me, sleep and stress, so stop stressing over sleep.

[Jaguar]

My sleep patterns are beyond wonky right now, but I'm not fighting it cause where honestly do I have to go in the morning, no freaking where. So if I can't sleep I get up and drink a glass of water, check out something online, read a book. Then I go back to bed, if I can't sleep so what.

[Opti]

I'm getting by day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute if need be. It can be quite difficult while working. Did not get the 5 to 6 hours of sleep I hoped for but I think at least the 4 hour min I need to soldier one. Very soggy today.

Need more allergy meds. LOL. Hang in there all, I think after July 6th, will be better, at least in my neck of the country.

[Shooby]

People who don't suffer from insomnia have no idea what a toll it takes mentally, emotionally and physically. It is tough to deal with, especially if it is ongoing.

[mmhmm]

Jun 28, 2015 0:48:26 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

It's now almost 21 hrs I've been awake once again - after only a couple of hours sleep here & there if I was lucky last night.

It's now day 12 of this #*&@. So much is hitting my fan this month. I wonder if it's worth getting undressed & going to bed - I may just try to crash on the couch for a couple of hours (if I'm lucky). Not sure how much more I can handle.

Putting on this "happy" front is getting exhausting.

I understand, SL. I have my times of "havin' the miseries", as well. Since mother died, I'm often at sixes and sevens. I'm trying to get out and do more these days but I still nose down from time to time and often do have trouble sleeping. I worked nights for so many years it's still hard for me to maintain a daytime schedule. For me, it's unnatural. If you can take Benadryl, that will sometimes help some people to get to sleep. Staying asleep, however, is often difficult. If it doesn't get better, you might benefit from talking to your doctor about things you might try to get yourself back on schedule.

[Jaguar]

Here I found a story on insomnia :

www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15411/the-sleep-secret-thats-better-than-drugs.html