Berkeley Parents Network: Depression

Berkeley Parents Network

Depression

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Depression

Depressed when the sun's not shining

August 2006

When the sun is out, I'm happy and optimistic, for the most part. But when it's foggy (most of the summer here) I get more and more depressed as the days go on. Besides moving away (can't do right now), medication (tried it), and physical activity (which I'm working on increasing), does anyone know of anything specifically to combat SAD? Sunlamps? Yoga?
SAD at the sight of fog

I'm the same. What has worked for me is to use a dawn simulator alarm clock. Somehow it tricks my brain into thinking that the sun is rising. When I actually wake up, it is of course disappointing to find fog outside, but by then I am not as depressed anymore. Bright lights also help a lot. Keep your work area as bright as possible (e.g. add a desk lamp, if you work at a desk, or brighter ceiling lights). Yoga and exercise can of course make you feel better as well, but I thinks bright lights are the key. There are special lamps made for SAD, but I haven't tried them foggy but not depressed

I know exactly how you feel. I too suffer from depression when there is not enough sun. I was born and raised in sunny southern California. I never had this problem when I was living in L.A. until I got married and moved up here 10 years ago. When we bought our house in El Cerrito, one of the things that was never mentioned to us was just how foggy it gets here (I think the seller should have disclosed this fact). I had no idea that the fog would effect me in this way.

And with the long rainy springs we've been getting lately, it makes dealing with the fog all the more difficult. I have never tried lights to combat Seasonal Effect Disorder, but I've heard they are very helpful. Another thing that helps is to get outside as much as possible on those foggy days. Just bundle up and go for walks out in the open where there is mostly sky above you. You will get more light that way. Don't wear a hat or sunglasses. Avoid dark woodsy walks through redwood tree groves, they can be very dark and very wet on cold foggy days. Avoid spending too much time indoors. Keep all your curtains and blinds open as much as possible when you are inside. Always sit by a window. If you just can't take another day of fog, then try to visit other areas of the Bay Area that are sunny and warm. Go for your walks and run your errands in the sunnier locations. Your mental health is worth the extra driving.

Another thing that might help is to try to wear more cheerful, sunny colors. I find that most people in the Bay Area, especially in Berkeley, tend to wear dark, drab colors, and are very casually dressed. This just adds to the foggy depression. Around here it's hard to dress warmly and also stay in touch with the season with the sunny colors. Try to find light and bright colored sweaters.

Mail order might be your best bet. I find that I usually feel much better if I ''spruce-up'' a bit, put something a little nicer and brighter on, and wear lipstick. I may not fit in with the look around here, but at least I feel better. Laurey

What you have is Seasonal Affective Disorder. Lack of sunlight makes you depressed. You can get a ''sun box'' that has full-spectrum lighting, and sit in front of it for a prescribed period of time each day. You can also find full-spectrum lightbulbs to install in the house as well Stephanie

get outdoors, exercise more, get a warm jacket and sit in the fog. Even on foggy days you can get plenty of sunlight, if that's truly the issue. And if you're taking hikes or otherwise getting exercise, you'll warm up more quickly, be more inclined to get out AND feel better, both from the exercise and the sunlight. I have heard of sunlamps, but I bet you'll still do better just focusing on getting out, and it seems easier too

Well, where do you live? If you live in North Berkeley, you should know that only minutes away, there are microclimates that are not as foggy. Oakland, for example. I live in West Oakland and it is not foggy everyday in the summer, and when it is, it burns off by noon. Otherwise, you could try Orinda and points east. If you go out to Walnut Creek, you will never have summer fog.

If you don't want to move, maybe you could just go to these places on foggy days, if you are a stay at home parent. If you have to go to work, I guess you have to go no matter what. I would also recommend going to a gym. Exercise will improve your mood and you will be inside, so the weather won't really matter. Coffee also helps. anon

SAD is a recognized disorder affecting many people. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends using a light box of at least 10,000 lux of light for at least 20 minutes daily. You can get deals on line or at Costco. The one at Costco is called GOLITE and is portable but not as effective as a bigger ''sunbox'' but it is half the price. Even some people in Hawaii can get SAD when it is overcast.
been there SAD

Do try a light box. You'll have to research how to use it ( duration, times of day, how close to sit, etc)but it's worth a try. Get one that is designed for depression, they have a lot higher lumens that a regular light. THey can be pricey. You might Google ''Northern Lights'' as they are one manufacturer JM

Sunlamps do work and the anti-depressant, Wellbutrin, was recently approved for SAD. Sometimes SAD is a type of bipolar disorder and these 2 treatments could trigger hypomania, (an up mood that can interfer with functioning). Try getting up the same time each day, take walks and be outdoors even though it is foggy. The exercise and be quite helpful even though it can be challenging to get started Judy

I too have felt the foggy depression and I cannot tell you how much light therapy has helped me. After putting off investing in a good sunlamp for years since I had little $, I finally was able to buy a Sunbox light (the Sunbox Company is a high- quality, reputable brand) for about $225. In the past, I was denied coverage by my Healthnet insurance company for that expenditure, despite having a letter from my psychiatrist recommending the lamp as an alternative to drugs. (go to sunbox.com for info. on prices - it's a great site with lots of info. and occasional sales.) I sat in front of my lamp for 30-60 minutes every day in the morning (I sat about 14 inches away from the bulb) while reading the paper, eating breakfast, etc. It was tough to do that, but it did help. You may want to investigate taking Omega-3's too, (I like Nordic Naturals) and visit a health food place with a helpful person on staff to find out more about that.

Also check out Dr. Norman Rosenthal's landmark book on SAD ''Winter Blues'', which is an inspiring and informative read. You can get it from the library. Good luck and feel free to email me Dyane

I had this for a while but seemed to kind of grow out of it towards my mid- to late-twenties. Maybe you will too?

The thing that worked somewhat well for me was 1) having a regular sleeping schedule (yes, random!) and 2) turning on every light in the house IMMEDIATELY when I got up. Getting the light right away when I woke up seemed to help switch ''on'' something. Go figure.

It is annoying!
-send me to san diego

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