Seasonal Affective Disorder Moving from NH to WA (Seattle: crime, how much)

[hollyrose]

Hi Everyone,
I have SAD in NH and was wondering if it would be worse or better in WA? It snows and we have many grey cloudy days here. I was afraid it would be worse in WA. I should compare how many days of rain/snow we get here in NH compared to WA. Anybody know? NH lately has been very cold as well in the winter. My husband could easily get a a job in Seattle.

Thanks,
Holly

[mayfair]

If you already have SAD in NH, the chances are you'll have it here, too. People who never had it can get it after moving to Seattle...

[vnodak]

Sorry but IMO you will have SAD here and it might be worse---check the city data stats for sun. Wish you luck and sorry.

[Topaz]

You may get SAD but you can treat it with light therapy. While it can't be "cured," you can lessen the symptoms.

I didn't have SAD when I lived in Seattle but I would never live in a non-sunny climate ever again. Here in Texas if the sun goes away for more than a couple of hours during the day, I start getting twitchy.

[green_mariner]

I lived in the Seattle area and never had SAD.

[cobolt]

It just depends. I never had SAD until I moved to Seattle. When I went to visit friends in Texas I was so happy. Seeing the sun every morning was such a treat. I had no idea how much that could affect a mood. Tanning, light therapy, blah blah doesn't replace the real thing.

[W & C]

Sun is overrated, speeds up the aging process.

[texastrigirl]

SAD tends to hit those in northern latitudes which means both WA and NH. I think Seattle has marginally more sunny days than some of NH but not my much. I don't think you would notice any lift by coming here. I suffered a bit last year but have only had my light out once this year but we have had what I am told is an atypically sunny January for this area. If you don't mind the heat, you should consider moving to Texas. It's sunny much of the year there and it's a relatively inexpensive place to live relative to the east/west coasts.

[CityGirl72]

I came from Calif, and never had SAD, and instantly felt it once I moved here - I'm spending all our money to leave

DOn't let someone who never had sad tell you that Light THerapy works - it might - or it might not, and it will never take it away. Light Therapy along with medication made me feel better - But never felt like my old self til I moved back to CAlif

[la_fuerza]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

I came from Calif, and never had SAD, and instantly felt it once I moved here - I'm spending all our money to leave

Don't let someone who never had sad tell you that Light THerapy works - it might - or it might not, and it will never take it away. Light Therapy along with medication made me feel better - But never felt like my old self til I moved back to CAlif

Moving back to the promised land of Sacramento huh? Well I wish you luck, I hope it works out. But do you think it's fair to your husband and children to relocate them when they were settled in a more stable, safer place like Seattle? I have friends and family who are not happy in present day California. There are many problems in the state with crime and gangs and a very serious financial crisis is coming.

As far as the SAD thing, I think I have reverse SAD. When I lived in San Jose I hated how it was sunny every single day, there was no variety. I actually prefered living in SF where the fog would at least roll in and cool things off. I liked the Bay Area winters when it would rain and turn the hills from brown to green, even though it was only for a couple of months. I love Seattle and do not take the beauty of the Northwest for granted.

Sorry you didn't like it here. You will be missed.