S.A.D

I know of several people who have found light boxes helpful. Even natural spectrum daylight bulbs in your lamps might be useful to try.

This happens to me every winter. A light box helps me enormously. The bigger and brighter the better, don't skimp on a smaller version. I use for about half an hour. A brisk walk helps too. He may not thank you for the walking advice when he's down though. I used to think anyone who suggested it was a bit patronising, until I realised it works. Maybe you could broach how to manage it just before next winter. I can't help with any advice about how to treat him. My own husband is resolutely cheerful and happy all year round. He could probably give you lots of advice about handling my winter misery. It can be very debilitating. Hope things improve.

dewy5 I too suffer with SAD and find I get worse each year. However I live alone and although I don't actually hibernate, my friends and family know not to expect too much of me during this time. Among other things I get very impatient with people's idle chatter, which I would probably join in with at other times of the year.

I can understand this must all be very difficult to live with but I feel you should just carry on as normal. It would aggravate me no end to think you were pussyfooting around me, and not help me at all. Is there something else troubling your OH as well that is all being put down to SAD?

Incidentally, yesterday was officially the shortest day. Today the sky was light before sunrise at 8.04 am and I'm feeling more positive than I have for a good few weeks for you.

Definitely try a light box and a walk. I didn't find the light box to be successful but I know people who have. However the walk certainly helps.

I'm told its important to try to get out in the natural daylight daily if possible. Perhaps you could suggest some nice walks together.

The S A D Assiciation are helpful do contact them

Light boxes do help, also go out doors every single day for approx 20 minutes so the eyes can absorb the daylight . Sit near to a window , eyes need as much daylight as possible

Little that family con do except give support, and don't stop doing things you enjoy because he is too tired to join you.

Hi everybody.
This is my first posting on Gransnet.I must say that after reading the advice given on the forums I am so heartened at how helpful members are to each other. My question is,on top of long term depression which is controlled successfuly by tablets, I, like many of your contributors, suffer from S A D. Where do I get a light box from? Boots no longer sell them. In fact the pharmacist in my local Boots had never even heard of them. Help!

SAD Association will advise. If you google light boxes there are loads of companies who sell them. Good luck with all this.

I do find that going out for a walk (well limp) each day is very helpful for me; although I do understand that if you are feeling very low it is hard to find the energy to do this.

Hope your mood will lift as the days lengthen.

gormenghast You will find them on Amazon also at John Lewis they obviously vary in price,I should imagine there are a lot of outlets on the internet for you to pick from.Good luck x

Welcome to Gransnet, gormenghast. . a
As stated above there are loads on the internet. I suggest you go for a good quality one for the best benefit. Roll on springtime!

My OH suffers mildly. He has found the that vitamin D helps a lot. He goes for a walk most days. Fortunately the conservatory is glass from floor to ceiling so he gets plenty of sunlight, and also lucky that we live in the southeast.
As to how to deal with the situation. Fortunately ( or not) I have had many black days in the past and know exactly how he's feeling. I just make it very clear that I know exactly how he's feeling.
Sometimes I ask him how how bad it is on a scale of 1-10. If it's low I just carry on as normal, if it's high, I know to let well alone until he ' comes back to me'

I got my light box in Maplin's. If all else fails, try an online lighting store.

I used to get miserable in the dark nights of winter, but I've found reading tablets, kindles and phones helpful and hardly notice the nights now.

If you buy direct from Lumie they offer a 45 day trial period on their products. www.lumie.com/pages/45-day-trial