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Does anyone else start getting really down in May? As long as I can remember - may is a difficult month for me, long before the Major Depression label. It spirals into slothful living and sleeping the winter away. Even though I love autumn weather, on the inside I just want to go to sleep and bide my time 'till spring comes - when I know i get a burst of energy back. Lots of people suffer SAD, and for some its serious. Its a well documented condition, and in my case compounds existing depression & anxiety, the tipping point. I noticed here on the forums last year that a lot of us struggled to get through winter, even here in mild Australian weather. What, if any are your winter blues symptoms in the winter?
In response to: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
AdgeSenior Contributor
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
I actually have more energy in the colder weather.
The Summer heat (40 Celsius here) really knocks me for six - I just don't cope with it.
There does seem to be something to the idea that gloomy overcast days affect people's mood though.
My feet are constantly cold & sometimes numb - & I have to take disabled clients out on public transport (trains & buses) in the pouring rain.
Which is asking too much of my health & limited stamina - as well as the clients.
That's because the NDIS does not include transport funding (use of a car) for virtually any of my clients.
Previously for many years the clients all had a car to transport them to activities - under all the previous state funding.
We have fleet vehicles in disabilities, yet we are often not alocated to use them now, under NDIS.
Getting really ill with a second flu virus in only 6 weeks doesn't help either. Due largely to (or made worse by) unhygienic working conditions.
Adge
In response to: Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
soulSenior Contributor
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
The heat can be a killer especially if there is high humidity as well @Adge. I spent some time living in Asia near the Equator so uncomfortable weather was the norm. It was so tiring. The electricity bill blew out because of the air con, and even then you would be having three showers a day because it was so hot when you went out. Maybe people acclimatise to it but travelling back and forth it was difficult for me to do so.
It's not much fun catching public transport in the rain and those buses and trains must be filled with people coughing and sneezing and spreading unwanted germs. Do you get a flu shot? It should be a necessity of your job.
In response to: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
AdgeSenior Contributor
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
@soul Yes heat & humidity is difficult to bear.
Broome (tropics) in northern WA felt like that. So did Brisbane (I lived there for a year), although not as much. I never got used to it.
Our WA heat is a dry heat - no rain in the Summer months. Although the average temperatures are getting hotter, even 43 C on the occasional Summer day.
No I haven't had a flu shot in a few years. It's not included or scheduled for with this organization - unlike other employers I've had.
Then they're not impressed when I've had to take time off due to illness...
Adge
In response to: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Unknown userMember
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Hi @Adge, hi @soul, hope your day is OK? I've had one of the worst. Been connecting a little on."Life's a pain" thread (think the patience has run out over there). Terrible unprecedented back pain this AM, nearly unable to walk, normal tabs not helping, even strong ones, saw Dr - new pill - reaction to new pill, including bad nausea and vomiting, heart arrythmiaa & light head - at A&E ?seretonin toxicity re interaction with SSRI antidepressant. So over it today. At least the pain is less I guess. In hosputal o/n for observation because drug is slow release. Don't expect answers, just support 😞
In response to: Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
soulSenior Contributor
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Hi @Former-Member - not a fun day for you then, was it? Hope they're treating you okay in hospital and will be able to sort you out.
Has the back pain been a long standing thing or just recent?
In response to: Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Unknown userMember
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Hi @soulsoul , the doctor has recently labelled my back pain as 'chronic' (which upset me and sets the marker for not investigating anymore I guess. I'm never as bad as I was this AM, thus the strong medication ntervention (that's gone bad). Can't do all much here. Yes they are very prof / good to me/here, feel bad 'cause they're busy. Have to go thanks for asking. Are you OK?
In response to: Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
soulSenior Contributor
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Yes @Former-Member - today has been alright for me. Take care
In response to: Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
OwlunarSenior Contributor
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Hi @Former-Member
Things may vary from state to state but I doubt that it's true that having your pain called "chronic" does not rule out investigation. As far as I have read what you have said you have not had an MRI and this is necessary -
You are not alone though - I know other people have trouble getting past their GP to a pain specialist and/or pain clinic - it doesn't sound quite right for me - ah no!! It doesn't
@Adge
It doesn't sound fair that you don't get the fluvax taking disabled people around in public transport - it seems to me that things vary in your state as well. I have been having the fluvax for years and it is a very big injection now - 4 strains of flu covered - and I am amazed when people don't have it.
But still - also I am amazed that your clients who are disabled don't qualify for a driver or a taxi card - I have a taxi card - yes I use it a lot and it certainly runs up to a lot when I use taxis but I only pay half - and we all have to get around - I think you have to be a pensioner or senior to get one
And having cold feet after the flu and walking around in the rain would not help - and you don't need one dose of flu let alone a repeat - which is likely if you are run-down and using public transport
Aw - please go and have one when you have recovered - it's always a relief to have been vaccinated - I am a big believer in vaccination
But I hope you are okay and this is just because it is cold
Dec
In response to: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Unknown userMember
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Update (me): After a shocker of a day yestetday and a few hours in A&E, i feel bette, even the back pain has gone from 9 to 2+ Well, I'm still in bed and haven't kept food down for 36hrs but certainly feel, it was shocking. Appreciated support here. Mum tx me saying she's highly infectious with the flu and doesn't want visitors this sick. Fair enough, she doesn't know I was crook, but there ya go - decision made, all sorted (kinda), probably for the best 🌷🌿
Hi @Owlunar, thanks for reply. Its not just the cold but ya probably right about still having access to tests when chronic, its just they bork at me if I suggest it, the radiology commented last year I had had a 'lot' of tests that year (over investigating), doesnt help that findinfs are usually borderline anyway. Am I a hyperchondriac? Who really knows, the pain is real (maybe some vindictive persom has a vudu doll of me jabbing needles lol). It just FEELS like they've written me off, But I will get that referral to a specialist for some quality assessments and arrange physio. Having Low selfesteem probably doesn't help - feeling I don't deserve propper care.... especially since parasuicide, go asking for neglect maybe, whobkniws. Wish I had my own case manager, I'm tired of trying to juggle the systems for help. But 'endure to the end' we must, as best we can. Thanks Dec 💜
@Adge, nice to see you hope your virus is shifting, its horrible being sick. The footpath junk, I think we called it "council collection day" - they still do it. I use to go drive around 'rich' suburbs - they chuck quality stuff haha. You take care. Will pop over bird thread soon. 🐦🐥🐦🐥
How's everyone else in the winter blues community? Hang in there - Only 7 weeks to go. 💜
In response to: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Unknown userMember
Re: SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Apologies for no 'likes' - not for lack if trying though - there seems to be a technical glitch of some sort stopping me. Should resolve itself soon I suspect. @Former-Member .
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