Posted by Gabbi on July 9, 2002, at 22:56:22
In reply to Re: Reverse (summer) SAD, long » Gabbi, posted by Ritch on July 9, 2002, at 21:51:58
> >
> > I really wish I could offer some help, but right now I'm just stunned that someone else has worsened symptoms in the summer. At first I thought it was just part of the "cycle" of my cyclical depression, but now I realize its definately the sun, on cloudy days or in the evening I'm a "regular" depressive. But when its hot and sunny my anxiety is absolutely mind bending. It makes my regular depression seem like a holiday. Its been happening for 7 years now, and I just don't think I can live through another season of this. I've been prescribed Benzo's (which I wouldn't recommend, but thats another story) however in the summer they don't even make a dent, unless I take enough to just make me sleep through it, which is dangerous, unproductive, has ruined what was left of my social life, but its that or suicide.
> >
> > I'm wondering now, after analizyng the subject to death if it is perhaps too much serotonin, I'm on 60 mgs prozac, augmented with thyroid hormone, and the sun increases serototin levels as well doesn't it. Help anyone, I've absolutely seriously contemplated moving to one of the poles where I can have six months without sun.
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> Hi Gabbi,
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> This is just a hunch-but I think it has to do not with the sun being the culprit in the summer-I think it is the *heat*. When late summer/early fall rolls around and the sky is bright blue and the temps are cool and breezy I immediately feel recovery from the summertime funk. Researchers are focusing more and more on the neuroendocrine system instead of just neurotransmitters (like serotonin, norepinephrine, etc.). A behavioral neuro I saw once told me that a lot of his bipolar patients experience this *down* cycling mid-summer. I wonder also if *avoidance* of the midday sun in the summertime (due to the high heat) might have a negative impact. I find that I feel better when I get out in the yard and do stuff midday-whether it is summer or winter.
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> MitchMitch,
Thank-you for answering my letter, and having it be such an informative response was a bonus. I can't believe I never thought about the heat... and God knows we depressives can be pretty self obsessed. But now that you've brought it to my attention, I think its right because the sun doesn't bother me in the winter...Hmmmm...
Thanks for both the support and the information.
poster:Gabbi
thread:109762
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020709/msgs/111893.html