Weather-related depression? (living in, moving, estimates)

[ShadowXOR]

I've been hearing a lot about this issue and I was curious how many people it affects. Personally, I love overcast and rain but I hear it eventually wears you down even if you enjoy them. This has me slightly worried. Do some people still enjoy it after many years? What percentage of people are affected?

And is it possible to have the reverse? I live in Southern California and occasionally I get kind of "down" because it's another sunny day, I wouldn't say I get depressed but it decreases my mood somewhat, but nothing to flip out about.

[magrack]

It's Seasonal Affective Disorder-SAD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasona...ctive_disorder

Estimates range as high as affecting 10 million Americans,

I'm one of them.

I'n my case, it was a gradual thing, but it caused me to retire early and leave WA.

[jwb123]

I don't have Seasonal Affective Disorder, I don't think...

Personally, I just think the months on end of drizzle, grey, chilly weather wore me down. I loved it at first, and then it felt isolating and depressing. After weeks of rain, no - people don't go about their activities. They stay holed up in their home.

Yes, I am sure too much of anything can affect your moods.

[noplacelikeWA]

I also have SAD and I lived in WA for 20 years and every year it got worse. We just left last year for TX. This winter was better considering but I don't expect 20 years of SAD do dissappear in one winter. There are things you can do to help curb the effects of the seasons, like take a mid winter vacation, use drug therapy in the winter, go tanning twice a week, go outside even if isn't sunny, stay active! I wish I could say it worked for me but really I needed to get some extended living in a sunny place. Maybe we'll permanently return to the NW again someday, for now summer vacations will have to suffice.

[KirbyJRT]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Personally, I just think the months on end of drizzle, grey, chilly weather wore me down. I loved it at first, and then it felt isolating and depressing. After weeks of rain, no - people don't go about their activities. They stay holed up in their home.

I have to agree with you. The best way to put it was exactly as you did. It wore me down. Took 3 years. It does sap my energy and motivation. I have to admit though. I am a sun worshipper.

[ShadowXOR]

That is sad to hear. I'm looking for a place to settle for the long term and I don't want to be driven crazy (The Shining). I know it's not that bad but it does sound like it affects a lot of people around here.

I wonder how people do it in Alaska during those nights that last months (or I heard something like that, maybe I'm crazy).

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by ShadowXOR

I've been hearing a lot about this issue and I was curious how many people it affects. Personally, I love overcast and rain but I hear it eventually wears you down even if you enjoy them. This has me slightly worried. Do some people still enjoy it after many years?

Apparently some people seem immune to it. Unfortunately I'm not one of them It took more than 20 years to really start to bother me but in the last 5 it has been terrible. We're moving.

And is it possible to have the reverse? I live in Southern California and occasionally I get kind of "down" because it's another sunny day, I wouldn't say I get depressed but it decreases my mood somewhat, but nothing to flip out about.

Definitely! Personally I like to have a variety of weather - too much of any one thing wouldn't work well for me.

[KirbyJRT]

Originally Posted by ShadowXOR

And is it possible to have the reverse? I live in Southern California and occasionally I get kind of "down" because it's another sunny day.

That's blasphemy There is no such thing as too much sun.

[chris]

this past winter was personally the worst I've had here in 5 years. You'd think with all the snow we had it would have been more enjoyable but I found myself more mentally impacted by overcast weather this year.

I also was unable to go south this year, which may have had the biggest impact of all.

Thank goodness it's been sunny out again the past few days (cold but sunny!) Looking forward to May-September...

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by chris

this past winter was personally the worst I've had here in 5 years. You'd think with all the snow we had it would have been more enjoyable but I found myself more mentally impacted by overcast weather this year.

This year sort of went hand in hand with the winter of 1998/1999 as the absolute pits for me. Even last winter with its 25+ consecutive days of rain didn't get to me the way that this winter has.

Thank goodness it's been sunny out again the past few days (cold but sunny!) Looking forward to May-September...

It's absolutely beautiful out there right now but I'm with you in looking forward to May...that's when we get out of here and head to Wisconsin