SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

[Former-Member]

@Keppet, how are you today? Yes, self fulfilling prophecy is a fascinating concept. I think its well proved we can in fact talk ourself into anything, especially states of mind / moods / outlook on life. Insight and self awareness seem critical to figure this out, and we all can work on those areas on our heart. Who can know the inner workings of another's soul? Not even what we say is always truth, or what we really feel and why.

Its a case of "what comes first - the chicken or the egg" Sometimes its just not possible to answer, but the connections are there, they are real. I also have a few trauma experience (anniversaries) that came in may and the weather is a powerful reminder of those. Mothers day doesn't help when you've lost a child. All too sucky. Winter Blues sounds better. Biochemical or not, its all relative.

I am nobody here really, just a fellow suffer of MI and a little MI carer caring on the side 🙂 Moderators are on email 24/7 if you wanna chat to them, some with more MH training. Community Guides here are pretty experienced too. But keep chatting to me, I need it too. But everything I say comes out of simply my own experience. Judy not sure newcomers are always aware of that.

I Love that saying "we're all just walking each other home"

[Former-Member]

Hi, anyone around. My bones hurt, not sure if its because of the yard work I did or a cold coming on. Just a dull ache. And its ever so quiet here. Lonely. Time outside helped bring a lift a bit. Just popped over Oceangirl Party. lots goingbon there. Poor Arie is kept busy moderating the avalanche of oosts he he:) Put some order in the back area. Had to spread these drawers out for painting. Talk about that elsewhere. Everything I do is such an effort and snail pace with lots of breaks, but I'm working at keeping going. Someone pointed out to me recently that there's pain in doing nothing just as much as there's pain in staying active. Trying to find somewhere in between. Keep pushing just that little more. Well, betta go take something. Hope we all sleep OK and wake refreshed. Lighting a candle. 💜🌷🌿🙏

[Keppet]

Hi @Former-Member, I understand the posters here are just everday folk with health issues that makes some no doubt feel isolated and coming here to express thier thoughts or feelings can be a cathartic experience.  To discuss life with one's peers.   I hope lost of a pet isn't someone's trigger, if so, please don't read any further.

I'm in a pre-grief state I'm guessing, one of our dogs was, is recovering from a shattered disc op she had at the end of April and the thought process of having to say goodbye that weekend let all my PTSD demons surface, but she was making really good progress, getting her independence back then 9 days ago she collapsed becasue her spleen ruptured and as we sat at the vet, she was dying in my arms, we didn't know then that she'd a reptured spleen, but they operated on her, again, spleen was riddled with cancer and then we got the biopsy results late last week.  Today is the vet appointment I am dreading, we have to discuss her cancer, but we already know if she survives winter we would be getting a really good outcome.  I'm a empty nester, the last of our kids moved out last July, so my SAD last year was mingled with that no doubt.  Another layer to reinforce why I don't like winter.  Without the kids here there's probably been an affection transfer towards our dogs, filling the void, so much loved dogs become very much loved dogs hahaha

So to answer your question, I'm doing okay, there's a very strong focus on doing what we can so she's here when our daughter flys in for a visit home in late August.  That's my no. 1 goal, my focus is living each day as positively as I can.  I have to ensure it's not about me, so easy to let those "woe is me" feelings swamp me and drag me into the depths.  I have to find that warm spot in the sun out of the wind's bitter embrace.  Maybe the lack of vitiman D influences SAD? 

But we all have our angsts, or sore bones.  I hope we all can find some comfort today, make some good choices so we feel that warm spot in the sun. 

[soul]

So sorry to hear about your dog @Keppet. I am dreading the time when I have to say goodbye to my pooch. She's coming up to nine years old but seems older these days. Is very reluctant to go for her morning walks and is sooooo slooow. Maybe she is suffering from SAD.

@Former-Member- hope your bones and the rest of your body feels better today. Is it sunny where you are? Winter isn't as bad if the sun is still shining. 

[Owlunar]

Hi @Former-Member@Keppet@Adge@soul

It's interesting to talk about self-fulfilling prophesies - I think sometimes that is true - but mostly if we anticipate what might happen because it does every year - we can plan ways around it

Start with winter - it's going to get cold in winter and the days will be short and generally people get colds etc and feel the misery

However - knowing what we know about the weather - we can plan for winter - make sure we eat well and dress warmly etc - and find ways of getting through it all - it does pass

And know whatever we do the "Winter-Blues" happen - and when we find ourselves feeling low know it was to be accepted and accept it

But when it comes to other people's behaviour - that is something we have no control over but we can predict that from the past this is what might happen - the nicest person can have a bad day and the worst person can change their mind - so what do do about people's behaviour

I guess we need not look for the trouble before it happens unless we are past it with them - too much history etc - and give them a chance - we never know

But then - as I wrote elsewhere - we do not cast our pearls before the swine either

I would like my family closer too but then - I am not about to go looking for familial love where it does not exist - I have had lonely times but I certainly don't need the angst that comes with self-righteous people - no way

So - with self-fulfilling prophecies - we can antipate some things and let them go - or - be prepared to care for ourselves

But yeah - winter is the pits - but we have passed the solstice people - and the shortest day - and the count-down on the days left in winter - boring as this is - we are 32 down withu 60 to go until the 1st of September.  Yeah - it's still a long way off

If winter's here - the adage ran

Can Spring be far behind - you bet it can

Dec

[soul]

"I would like my family closer too but then - I am not about to go looking for familial love where it does not exist - I have had lonely times but I certainly don't need the angst that comes with self-righteous people - no way"  

Agree with this entirely @Owlunar. Was hoping this wasn't the case but sadly it is and I must accept that.

[Owlunar]

So true @soul

Being alone in the wilderness can be tough - but we can learn a lot here/there

Staying with people who carp and give us a hard time will have the tendency to make us unhappy and this can lead to bitterness. My grandmother was wonderful to me - but she had become enbittered through the years - and looking what parts of the past I can see I do understand

But for me - being myself has been far better than being someone I would like to fit in. Dad wanted me in the family and for years after being out - he wanted me in and kept things under control until he died - then it was bad again

But sitting here alone after a weekend alone I know I feel okay. I am alone and not often lonely - perhaps sometimes not happy - which is different from unhappy

But that's a discussion for another day

Dec

[Keppet]

Hi @soul, love our fur family, they just keeping giving, unconditionally, well maybe one, we love therm back.  

Ellie is 12 now and 15 for her breed is a good life apparently, we are going do our best to give her a quality of life befitting her for as many months as we can, not because we can't bear to be on this planet without her, but because she has enriched our lives so much. 

😃

[soul]

Agree @Keppet - my pooch is such a wonderful companion. She's never far away - currently asleep on the sofa. Does that a lot these days. Hopefully there's a few more years in her yet.

[Former-Member]