RECOGNIZED PATTERN
About five years ago, we moved to Ohio. I was home with one child and expecting twins during my first winter there. It wasn't until the next winter that my husband and I recognized a pattern in my low spells. We realized that it had actually been every winter of our marriage between mid-January to the first signs of spring, and that it had gotten progressively worse each year. I then started going back through journal entries and realized that I had for years been going through these periods of depression in milder forms. My husband was in medical school and recognized this as a possible "seasonal affective disorder," also known as "SAD." It was a relief to be diagnosed. My options were a prescribed medication or the alternative natural remedy of "light therapy."
I had to sit in front of a special light box for 30 minutes every morning during these dark months. The theory is that the lack of natural sunlight causes the depression or blues. This therapy worked for me overnight. Living in places where the sun doesn't shine often can be hard for many people, especially mothers who are sometimes stuck inside with small children through long, cold and dark winters.
"SAD," if untreated, does get progressively worse over the years. — Torie Jacobson, El Paso, Texas
SOOTHING MUSIC
I live in Star Valley, Wyo., where the winter months are long and the summer months very short. The things that help me are to get up every morning and put on some soothing music for the day. I also put together puzzles. I usually have one out to work on when I feel a need to do something but can't seem to make myself do the things that need to be done. I go walking even in the winter time. The fresh air helps to clear my mind and renew my spirit. The scriptures and prayer are always a part of my day. — Crystal Burgess, Afton, Wyo.
'WALKING IN THE LIGHT'
In October 1991, Elder Ted E. Brewerton of the Seventy gave a general conference talk about "walking in the light." He encouraged us to walk in physical as well as spiritual light. He suggested particularly in northern countries, members would do well to take a walk in the sunlight in the middle of the day.
As a mother of a large family, I have found it is easy to let many days go by in the winter without going outside except to drive someone someplace. However, when I have followed Elder Brewerton's advice, I have always felt better, physically and spiritually. — Jacalyn Hudson Miller, Innisfail, Alberta
KEEP ACTIVE
If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is caused by not enough sunlight, try to spend 15 minutes each day in the morning or afternoon sunshine.
A couple of other ideas are the following:
GET OUTDOORS
Four simple steps include prevention, maintenance, cure and adjunct help. As a counselor, I suggest the following, relating to these steps:
Get outdoors a lot in the summertime and get lots of oxygen, exercise and especially lots of light, all of which militate against seasonal depression ever arriving.
Get outdoors in all seasons, even if it is overcast. The light outdoors is more than 10,000 lux (unit of illumination) in brightness even when the sun is behind clouds.
Buy a lightbox. Read or sit in front of it for an hour or two each day.
Accept love and hugs from friends, even if you don't feel like it. — Collins Meek, Calgary, Alberta
SAW SYMPTOMS
Seasonal depression seems to run in my family. A cousin has it, I do and my 12-year-old son also does. The symptoms of seasonal depression I noticed in my son included weepiness and not thinking his teacher liked him. I noticed people with this disorder will not "feel well" more in the winter than in the summer. — Leigh Ann Smith, Tucker, Ga.
LORD'S COMFORT
Trust in the Lord. I have learned that having this condition has enabled me to be more understanding of others with similar problems, and to be of help on occasion when they are struggling. As I have attempted to draw closer to the Lord, I have felt His love and comfort, and I have felt the influence of His spirit in finding answers to my individual needs. Those answers are there if we are willing to admit our need to Him and listen for guidance. — Karen M. Morgan, New Castle, Ind.
