[markhunt]

Originally Posted by TANaples

That really describes me to a T. The quotes of that woman are exactly what I have said, even right here on this Florida board. I will have to research it more, but the longer I live in Florida, the worse it gets. The first time I lived here I lasted 6 months and moved back in December. I literally went ballistic when my husband got a job here. We almost divorced because of my having to come back here.

If SAD can be real for sunlight deprivation, why can't it be true for the reverse? There was a thread a while ago where some of us told how we were coping, even though we had no "name" for what we felt. Come Fall we would blast the AC, shut all the blinds, put on Fall scented candles, and try to recreate what we had up North. Reading that article now, maybe that was our coping mechanisim for what we needed? That, or get out of here.

Right now I find myself going into a panic mode when I have to be outside in the Winter sun. I wear long pants and sleeves and TRY to find shade to be in. I have even thought about walking around with an umbrella to keep out of the sun. It is really that bad. My older daughter had panic attacks from being BiPolar, and I find myself experiencing similar feelings now in the winter Florida sun. As much as I hate the extreme heat and humidity of Florida summers, I have also said they don't bother me as much as the Florida winters. Yes, it is summer all over, but then I realized something else. Florida summers are also the RAINY season. We do have days with clouds and rain, unlike the Florida winters. I may get a respite from all this sun in the summers here.

Also, I wonder if those figures they quoted may be higher, for both seasonal depressions, then they think. So many people who move to Florida are almost manic about the cold winters and "lack of sunshine for months". Let's face it. Florida would be heaven for those with winter SAD. Maybe they have it and just don't know it? By the same token, there are also many people in the most extreme climinates up North, who you couldn't pay a million dollars to live in Florida. I know two men like that; one from LI and one from Buffalo. Neither has any desire to visit or move here. I wonder if they might have summer SAD? The happy medium is probably just vacationers who come here for a week or two in the winter.

Anyway, thank you. Most of the people on this board sometimes make me feel like I must be out of my mind to hate living in "paradise". Perhaps to somebody with summer SAD, Florida would be a living nightmare; just as Minnesota would be for somebody with winter SAD.

I'm glad if the article helped you understand some symptoms you have been experiencing.

This one was of the sections that was most interesting to me.

Researchers say that some people may be especially sensitive to heat, which could influence their production of various hormones. “We know thyroid hormone is suppressed by heat and growth hormone and prolactin are stimulated by heat,” Wehr says.

Lack of thyroid hormone can cause energy drain, and too much growth hormone and prolactin can lead to lethargy and lack of libido. In addition, prolactin is known to repress the effects of dopamine, a brain chemical linked to feelings of enjoyment and pleasure. Light on the skin can also influence the production of hormones, but preliminary NIMH research points to heat more than light as the culprit in summer depression.

For me, most days the sun itself is not the problem. It's the heat index that bothers me.

I would guess that the numbers for "Reverse Sad", are higher as well. There will be more research and studies on this.

[ngrome]

Originally Posted by TANaples

That really describes me to a T. The quotes of that woman are exactly what I have said, even right here on this Florida board. I will have to research it more, but the longer I live in Florida, the worse it gets. The first time I lived here I lasted 6 months and moved back in December. I literally went ballistic when my husband got a job here. We almost divorced because of my having to come back here.

If SAD can be real for sunlight deprivation, why can't it be true for the reverse? There was a thread a while ago where some of us told how we were coping, even though we had no "name" for what we felt. Come Fall we would blast the AC, shut all the blinds, put on Fall scented candles, and try to recreate what we had up North. Reading that article now, maybe that was our coping mechanisim for what we needed? That, or get out of here.

Right now I find myself going into a panic mode when I have to be outside in the Winter sun. I wear long pants and sleeves and TRY to find shade to be in. I have even thought about walking around with an umbrella to keep out of the sun. It is really that bad. My older daughter had panic attacks from being BiPolar, and I find myself experiencing similar feelings now in the winter Florida sun. As much as I hate the extreme heat and humidity of Florida summers, I have also said they don't bother me as much as the Florida winters. Yes, it is summer all over, but then I realized something else. Florida summers are also the RAINY season. We do have days with clouds and rain, unlike the Florida winters. I may get a respite from all this sun in the summers here.

Also, I wonder if those figures they quoted may be higher, for both seasonal depressions, then they think. So many people who move to Florida are almost manic about the cold winters and "lack of sunshine for months". Let's face it. Florida would be heaven for those with winter SAD. Maybe they have it and just don't know it? By the same token, there are also many people in the most extreme climinates up North, who you couldn't pay a million dollars to live in Florida. I know two men like that; one from LI and one from Buffalo. Neither has any desire to visit or move here. I wonder if they might have summer SAD? The happy medium is probably just vacationers who come here for a week or two in the winter.

Anyway, thank you. Most of the people on this board sometimes make me feel like I must be out of my mind to hate living in "paradise". Perhaps to somebody with summer SAD, Florida would be a living nightmare; just as Minnesota would be for somebody with winter SAD.

You sound like my wife, she's really unhappy here. Not only because of the heat, but the awful drivers. Too much sun is overrated, some people like that tanned look. Fortunately, I have that year round tan where I don't need so much sun . But I guess people like the one below can't get enough of it!

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by markhunt

I'm glad if the article helped you understand some symptoms you have been experiencing.

This one was of the sections that was most interesting to me.

Researchers say that some people may be especially sensitive to heat, which could influence their production of various hormones. “We know thyroid hormone is suppressed by heat and growth hormone and prolactin are stimulated by heat,” Wehr says.

Lack of thyroid hormone can cause energy drain, and too much growth hormone and prolactin can lead to lethargy and lack of libido. In addition, prolactin is known to repress the effects of dopamine, a brain chemical linked to feelings of enjoyment and pleasure. Light on the skin can also influence the production of hormones, but preliminary NIMH research points to heat more than light as the culprit in summer depression.

For me, most days the sun itself is not the problem. It's the heat index that bothers me.

I would guess that the numbers for "Reverse Sad", are higher as well. There will be more research and studies on this.

I am finding that Fall and Winter are worse for me in Florida. That used to be my most happy seasons up north. Besides the temperatures, it is the ENDLESS SUN during this time in Florida. Not a cloud in the sky. No rain. Summer in Florida is also rainy season. No, we don't have all day clouds and drippy rain like up north, but at least I have the respite when it gets cloudy and rains for a while. I also am off from work in the summer so it is easier to just stay inside with the ac on.

This is my 2nd full year here. The first year I just plain tried to ignore it. I also did not go back home that year. I have been back to NY 3 times this Fall and Winter. Although it was wonderful to experience the cold and grey skies, it did make it worse coming back here.

In searching the net on this, I have found that many people, who have this disorder, have moved from 4 seasons climates to either California or Florida. Yes, we had it up north in the summer also, but year round summer makes it come into full bloom.

Anyway, it is comforting to know that I am not crazy, or alone, in how I feel.

Just another thought. In my research I learned that Dorothy Hamill, the Gold Medal figure skater, has Summer SAD. Very interesting in that when I was growing up in Manhattan I loved skating and skated year round. My younger daughter played ice hockey throughout her teenage and college years. Again, we were in ice rinks year round. I so love being in an ice rink. I can say my most enjoyable time in Florida has been going to an Everblades game. Maybe I should just plain go out and buy season tickets.

[Connecticut Pam]

Sounds like Rochester NY to me! You can purchase a light bulb/lamp that will give you the effect that the sun has. Try looking on health websites or at health stores. If your feeling blue is really bad, I would definitely look into this. Florida can be an answer but far more expensive than a lamp and also very muggy, buggy and it does rain there a lot. Good luck, smile and know that Spring is not too far away!

[zoomzoom3]

I have a pretty bad case of seasonal affective disorder. This year has been absolutely awful as here we are on track for 2nd coldest winter on record. We've had very little snow, but there have been very few days above 32*F.

[TANaples]

I have REVERSE SAD. TOO MUCH SUN sends me into a panic. Actually, in the NYC vacinity in recent years the weather has gotten warmer. They had 65 degrees a few days ago in FEBRUARY. I know when I was there those days in the 60s in January or February used to bother me. I didn't WANT warm weather.

I don't need sun lamps. I sit outside in my lanai in the DARK. Any vampire clubs around in Florida??????

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Actually, in the NYC vacinity in recent years the weather has gotten warmer. They had 65 degrees a few days ago in FEBRUARY.

The winter in NYC metro to me is not as bad as so many people make it out to be. I had family in CT telling me about that little warm patch they got a few days ago too.

In Stamford CT (which is considered part of NYC metro), from Jan-March is the coldest time up there no doubt. Sure you have your days in the teens and single digits with wind chills, but thats not everyday. The average daytime temp Jan-Feb is around 30 (with highs close to 40 and lows around 20). March is close to the same but maybe a couple of degrees warmer. But then from April until November, for the most part to me is gorgeous! Mid November is when things start getting pretty cold, but I would not want Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years any other way.

It's all relative though. Some here in FL think anything below 50 is freezing, while some from WI would think 30 degrees in Jan. is a "Warm up". I like the Tri-State area because I think it truly is a happy medium for someone that wants the 4 seasons without the extremes of either FL or WI.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by markhunt

The winter in NYC metro to me is not as bad as so many people make it out to be. I had family in CT telling me about that little warm patch they got a few days ago too.

In Stamford CT (which is considered part of NYC metro), from Jan-March is the coldest time up there no doubt. Sure you have your days in the teens and single digits with wind chills, but thats not everyday. The average daytime temp Jan-Feb is around 30 (with highs close to 40 and lows around 20). March is close to the same but maybe a couple of degrees warmer. But then from April until November, for the most part to me is gorgeous! Mid November is when things start getting pretty cold, but I would not want Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years any other way.

It's all relative though. Some here in FL think anything below 50 is freezing, while some from WI would think 30 degrees in Jan. is a "Warm up". I like the Tri-State area because I think it truly is a happy medium for someone that wants the 4 seasons without the extremes of either FL or WI.

It really isn't that extreme. SW Florida, unfortunately for me, IS extreme. I probably wouldn't have minded even someplace like NC, Tnn., or Va. with 4 seasons and clouds, rain, and even some snow.

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by TANaples

It really isn't that extreme. SW Florida, unfortunately for me, IS extreme. I probably wouldn't have minded even someplace like NC, Tnn., or Va. with 4 seasons and clouds, rain, and even some snow.

I think those states have the perfect weather. They get hot for a few months, but they cool down for most of the year. And they have 4 distinct seasons that allow people to celebrate the holidays like they are meant to be celebrated.

[dmccauley]

Have any of you heard of sundown syndrome?