Hi everyone,

I've been feeling excessively low for the past couple of weeks, and I find that simply going outside makes me depressed. I believe this is because of the lack of colour and the bad attitudes I usually come across in at least one person daily. I can't describe the feeling of emotional numbness the outside brings me. The same shade of grey that I see all the time is so dire. Though I don't tend to have these feelings in the summer.

This probably sounds weird, but I just wanted to ask if anyone else has similar experiences.

my mom is alot like that. she says she hates autumn
because so much is dying outside. the rain, the clouds
the drab colors and the cold.
i think i've heard of this referred to as seasonal depression.
but i'm not completely sure on that.

it's different for me tho. kind of the opposite actually.
spring and summer depress me. i think it's because there's so
many ppl out and about that it gives me a bit of anxiety.
fall and winter months always seem to get me outside a little more.

maybe try listening to some summer music. maybe some reggae,
beach boys... that one song Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra
is so summery sounding, it always gives me a little lift.
huh.. that's odd, i LOVE music that reminds me of summer, but
i dont like summer.
go figure.

Its strange, but every year at around this time (november/winter) my mood changes and so do the people around me. Things seem different this kind of year, the world gives me a different vibe.

So yes I can definitely associate with you feeling there is a lack of color this time of year. Seasonal depression... ill have to look that up

I didn't know much about SAD but after looking at the Wikipedia article, it does sound familiar. Perhaps it's the lack of light in the winter that could be causing the low moods; after all, light creates the colour. Thanks for your suggestions. I've actually been listening to some love songs recently to help with relationship problems - not what I'd usually listen to but it helps.

The weather's not so bad this morning, and the colour is making me feel stronger.

winter/ autumn do have a negative effect on allot of people. in my opinion this is down to rhe fact that the people in the street don't lok as happy as they do in sumer because they are taking no pleasure in been outside. also as you said shauny there is a distinct lack of colour in the world. although as i look out of the window i can see trees made up of loads of diffrent shades of yellow brown and red.

Hi Shauny,
I thought of SAD straight away but it doesn't do for us amateurs to speculate on these things. The important thing is to recognise that there is a reason why you feel this way and that help is available. How is your GP ? are they going to listen and invest themselves in your problem, if not change them.

Whatever the diagnosis is, it is legitimate for you to be feeling this way and the challenge is to establish the reason and move towards improving how you feel. It must be rotten to be feeling this way and I know exactly what you mean about peoples attitudes. The media are stirring pessimism about the economic climate and everyone seems to be wearing a frown.

Have a chat with your GP this week and talk about your feelings here, it really helps.

Harry

Not weird at all. When I was depressed, I felt a lack of connectedness in general with the world. It was like seeing everything through a filmy haze - or more like being a ghost from "A Christmas Carol" where no one can see you and you really aren't a part of things. In my case, I've found that I fight depression when I don't have anything to look forward to. I am the LEAST depressed in the fall when I have the kids birthdays come up, school starts, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are there to look forward to. It's when I'm not planning ahead to things that I start getting gloomy. But I sure would look into SAD - that sounds like a very possible culprit.

I hope you start seeing color again!
NickyLynn

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. I realise I shouldn't take SAD too seriously in my case as I'm not qualified to make such a judgement, even if I suspect I may have some of the symptoms. I should just mention it to my GP. What kind of therapy is there anyway? I read on the Wiki that there is light therapy, but any kind of therapy eats time, and when I'm not spending time working on my college assignments I usually feel guilty anyway.

I'm actually seeing a social services lady, a man from a mental health team, and a doctor at the moment. I usually see one or two of them once a week. Perhaps I should bring this up. I can totally agree with the recent pessimism in the media lately, as brought up by Harry. That said though, I don't like the news, so I prefer to avoid it as much as possible - especially the Russia-Georgia war.

NickyLynn, I know exactly what you mean about seeing things through a filmy haze. I once described depression as being like the cameraman on a set... you see everyone doing their part like clockwork, but you have no involvement. I guess I should stop falling behind with college, then I might have something to look forward to.

Thanks again.

Hi Shauny

Is this the first time that you have experienced depression in the fall or has it happened before?? It does seem as if the world is kind of dying in autumn, althought it is the natural cycle of things. You said you were at college, could it be the stress of being back at school with all the classwork and deadlines coupled with it being fall?? I was feeling the need for color a few weeks ago so I did a google for nature scenes summer and found some graphics that actually made me feel better. I am just the opposite, I get really depressed in the spring and summer and feel better in fall and winter. I actually prefer gray, cloudy days. But that is me. Have you discussed the issue with the mental health professionals you are seeing?? Do you have any creative outlets,,,drawing,,,,writing,,,painting,,,music???? I find that doing something creative usually helps me,,at least for a little while. Even if the creativity just has to do with me expressing my depression.

But SAD may be a possibility, and the light treatment for it, if I remember right, only takes a half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening....if I am right. This is a hard time of year for so many people with depression, especially with the holiday season steamrolling towards us. Do whatever you need to do to bring some colour and light into your life. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Kevin