SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in rainy/cloudy part of Oregon

[sberdrow]

I have you tried the MTA treatmeans (move to Arizona). Its a guarentee to work. I would not want to stay in a state that effects my mental health to the point where I have to take drugs just to get by ever day. Colorado gets over 300 days of sunshine a year, Redding California gets about the same.

[lilypad]

No, but did try the MTT treatment (move to Texas) and it worked wonders! Only go back now in summer or fall to visit.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by lilypad

No, but did try the MTT treatment (move to Texas) and it worked wonders! Only go back now in summer or fall to visit.

I tried Austin, I think it rains more in that town than any place I have ever lived....not to mention the terrible humidity. Then you go from SAD in the NW to to cabin fever in the texas....the heat is so bad that my wife and I debated who had the terrible choir of going out to get the mail.

[jm21]

Originally Posted by PortlandNative

I wonder if SAD is less common in people that are born into gloomy (e.g. Westside Oregon) environments? I was born and raised in Portland and I always find it funny that a cloudy day sometimes gets me pumped up. It reminds me of when I was a teenager and going over to friends' houses to goof around, play Nintendo, football in the backyard, etc.

Boy, it sounds weird to say that I see clouds and get pumped up from fond memories of walking in misty rain down Garden Home road to go buy candy at the grocery store.

Not that I'm against sun at all......

Ya...I hadn't heard of SAD until I moved back to OR, to PDX. Funny to hear the transplants talk about SAD...I'd never even heard of it. Still not all that sure what it really is, haha. It's like all the people talking about ADD nowadays. Maybe I've experienced both before, but what the heck...it's life...just deal with it.

I was out in a thin shirt last week, late at night in downtown, and a few transplants I met thought I was nuts. But imho, there's nothing like a chilly November night with a light mist of rain to make you feel alive.

I think you definitely get used to a region growing up. I've met Iranians who think the inland empire and LA have amazingly good air quality. People from China who are used to 2bdrm, 150sqft apartments. And probably my favorite, people from NYC who thought Orange County was eerie because it was so artificial/lifeless.

[Tesaje]

Here's an interesting take on clouds and sun and human behavior
washingtonpost.com
Wondering Wall Street's Mood? Look Up

[Silverfall]

I live in Salem, and while I think Oregon has a higher rate of SAD, it really isn't all that common. Most people have skylights in their homes, and most newer homes have a lot of windows and high ceilings to compensate for the gray days.

I think people are just used to it. I grew up in Illinois where it could be gray and barren at the same time. At least when it's gray out here, you still have green grass and trees.