Do you believe in winter depression?

http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/se...

and if so, how do you think people can stop being depressed, besides going to a therapist, or being prescribed pills that dont work in the first place?

Yeah, it's called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and it's caused by lack of sunlight and such... Try getting outside more in the day if it's possible, exercise makes you feel better too, and sun lamps work, with full spectrum bright light. Take vitamins (especially vitamin D) and try not to lay around when you start to feel down, it'll just make you feel crappy.

Sun lamps. =]

Yes.

When its cold and crappy outside, people tend to feel depressed. Just do things that make you happy when you're feeling down. :)

yes &&& what i did was to go out with my friends helped a little but not much try doing stuff that u enjoy

Absolutely. I have depression and it is SO much worse in winter because I hate the weather, the cold bothers me, I'm always sick, I don't want to go outside...it's very depressing.

I totally do, and totally have it. And, thos pills, So DO NOT WORK! :) i think you shuld try to focus on the doog things in life, go get a book, to take your mind off things! wotch tv, and spend time with friends. try not to think of it

They can stop believing in winter depression, find some friends, get off their butts, and do something.

Sunlight helps. Sun lamps as well.

I agree with the first answer-sun lamps and tanning beds do decrease S.A.D.(Seasonal affective disorder).

I also completely agree that depression worsens in the winter and colder/gloomier months.

Exercise can help.

Yeah, I live in the Midwest and it seems like most peoples spirits are down, its always freezing cold and snow all over, crappy roads, don't want to go shopping because its too cold to go back and forth into places and you are broke all the time because of the horrendus heat bills and electric bills from always being at home using the tvs and computers and all that. Also there is not sun everyday which sun is essential to mood and you are supposed to have it everyday. Yeah we considered buying a sun lamp for winter too because anti-depressants are not something you want to use unless you absolutely have to. Then theres all the grumpy construction workers and that kind of thing that are laid off all winter living off unemployement with nothing to do. It just sucks.

Absolutely, it's colder out and you can't just go out on a whim and run around in the sun like you can when it's nicer out.

Just try to get out of the rut of staying indoors and only going out for food and work. Go sledding or walk dogs or go to the movies with your friends and enjoy that you won't get sunburned for a few months out of the year when you're outside.

I used to have it REALLY bad! I bought a sun lamp and it helped a little bit. But my S.A.D.S. went away after my doc tested my vitamin D levels and put me on some super high prescription Vita D pills for a couple months. Now the cloudy/ gray days are hardly noticeable to me!

pills are just a money making scam. I think winter depression has something to do wiht less sunlight because the days are so short, we do need moderate amounts of sunlight to keep us healthy. Plus, this is the time of year that's after the holidays, and it's kind of a slow time at businesses. And it's so dang cold out you can't do much except sit at home and try to stay warm. I suggest taking a vacation to someplace warm, or at least getting outside and getting some sunlight, or getting stuff done on your 'to do' list.

Move to Florida. It worked for me.

I agree with Michelle. Sun Lamps!

I recently bought one for my house plants because I live in a very dim lit area in the winter months, cloudy all the time.

My potted aloe veras' are doing well from the sun lamps AND I'm really feeling better because of the sun myself :) truly amazing

Look up S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Yes it exists, I suffer from it.

If it is not so severe that you are thinking of hurting yourself, try getting a full spectrum light source and sitting in the light. If you check on line it will tell you how long and when.

Some believe melatonin is the culprit. Try taking it at bed time to help regulate your internal clock. (melatonin is an inexpensive, common, and, safe supplement)

I have not tried Samm-E and other antidepressant supplements.

Prescription antidepressants work for me.

winter depression is a drag,i have it also . recently i started walking in my neighbor hood after dark. i walk for 30- 45 min.Not only does it relax me but i take my dogs along so they can get away from being stuck inside all day.

Yes, I do. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder.

And pills do work.

But if you don't want medication or therapy, try getting a sun lamp.

No I don't, I love winter. Snow makes me happy. Sorry.. I know this probably doesn't help. However if your feeling depressed, then definately go for the sunlamps, sleep regularly, eat, supliment your diet with vitamines, and treat yourself a bit.

Lots of bright lights inside.

Yes there is such a thing as winter depression, it is caused by lack of sunlight ans as already suggested sunlamps help but they must be a certain type