Daylight savings and depression

[Sn0wLeopard]

Hello!

I have been struggling since daylight savings has started. I really find that once winter starts coming in, my symptoms increase and I lack motivation and struggle to enjoy the things I used to. Everything is hard - finding energy to go to work is difficult, and then I have after work hobbies I partake in - and lately I havent been going. I really enjoy the activities but I just don't have the energy. 

In the past I was on medication and I chose to stop taking it, more so for anxiety as I'd worked through my depressive symptoms with a psychologist and felt that I was experiencing more anxiety than depression - but lately, the depression is really kicking in and I am starting to feel the dark cloud looming. I hate this feeling and I want to nip it in the bud before the symptoms worsen. I honestly think that daylight savings plays a huge role in this though because I recall the same thing happening last year! 

Does anyone else get affected by daylight savings? 

[Jacko777]

Hi Sn0wLeopard,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums, I am glad you have posted.

I know a bit about what you are talking about, just a lack of sunshine is enough to affect my moods, often these days I am going to work just after sunrise and leaving just after sunset, it is a big difference in the amount of hours spent in the sunshine and outside generally.

Maybe it is a good time to touch base with your doc, make a fresh plan? Try hard to partake in your hobbies, one day at a time, go a bit further to make things happen. I find it is the thinking that stops me, the action itself is nowhere near as hard as my mind makes it out to be, once the first step is taken the rest is easy...ish. Love to you.

Jacko

[Noomy]

Personally, In a way the colder weather and less sunshine makes me happier (I don't really like sunny days haha) but for certain I know that people do feel worse in winter. It's the cold weather, darker/greyer days which get people down.

But just as Jacko said, if it does get really bad it might be time to take a visit to the GP and layout a winter plan. Other than that just keep working through your depression just like you have been doing. You said you worked through your symptoms with a psychologist; and that's really really good. If you've done it once, then I reckon you're strong enough to do it again. 

Best wishes for you, and hope you feel well again soon.