Noooo!! It's too early for this!!!

[rosebee]

I've come to a very sad realization. It's not even the middle of August yet. I've been having a lot of trouble getting up out of bed when my alarm goes off. I've been going to bed at the same time as always, so I'm getting enough sleep. I've also noticed that there's not quite enough daylight to get by without a light.
Having to turn on a bedside light in the morning in order to see is the first sign that winter (& my dreaded S.A.D) is approaching.
Not being able to get up right away when my alarm goes off is another.
I suppose I could play denial and tell myself that the reason I've had trouble getting up all week was due to the uncanny coincidence that I was deep in dreamland each morning right when the alarm went off. But that wouldn't quite be the truth (it'd be close... a stretch of the truth more likely).
Sigh.
Soon I'm going to have to sit down in front of my lightbox for what seems like hours on end each morning. Though I have an appointment with my shrink in about 5 weeks from now. Evidently the 2.5 hours I topped out at with my lightbox last winter is a bit much. He feels that there might be other options to help me cope and not have to use the light box so much (ie - an antidepressant of some sort). I tried one last spring for Social Anxiety. It worked quite well, but once HTB & I started getting serious certain side effects became untolerable so after only a month or so on it I quit. Hopefully the dr will be able to find something tolerable that will keep me from having to use my light box so much.


The bicycle commute home was very nice. Not too warm or anything! It's so nice being able to get some exercise in. I have a really hard time finding time to exercise. I don't know what I'm going to do when the weather starts getting yucky & I have to spend extra time in the morning in front of my light box. I might not have the time to double my commute time by biking in (not to mention the energy/motivation to get out in the dark & wet rainy weather)!

Comments

[rainbow.livejournal.com]

Oh! There is a cool light you can buy for your bedroom that goes on gradually in the morning to simulate dawn; maybe one of those would help you wake up? http://shop.store.yahoo.com/comfort1st/sosunalsinas.html

There are light visors, too, which can be more convenient than lightboxes, since you can just wear it as you go around doing things.

[rosebee.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! That looks really good! I think that might actually help quite a bit.

Hmmm.... I'm going to have to think really hard about buying that! I wonder what other cool light-up alarm clocks are made?
::runs off to google it::

[soulescaping.livejournal.com]

Wow, you have a light box?! That is so cool! They are ridiculously expensive, so I usually suffer through the winter weather or go back on antidepressants fall through spring. The problem with taking meds instead of using something like a light box or counselling, is that all antidepressants have some sort of side effect -- weight gain, weight loss, insomnia, nausea, no alcohol, etc, etc... And they are freaking expensive!

I didn't have medical coverage lst year, or this year for that matter so it will be another fall/winter season of excessive sleep and moodiness for me :-p Luckily there are no added pressures like job or financial stresses for me this year so the S.A.D. should be manageable with diet and exercise. *crosses fingers*

[rosebee.livejournal.com]

I found a nice little one for $200 (http://www.sunbox.com/Products/ProductPopUp.asp?ProductID=78). I'm just shocked at how early the trouble's are starting. It's not too bad right now. Just a bit of trouble getting out of bed (but I was *damn* tired all day today at work).

I have a really great psychiatrist! He's going to help me try an antidepressant this winter in addition to my lightbox use.

I've also been told that SAD is easier to keep away than to reverse. So even though it's way too early (and just doesn't seem right), I'm going to be pulling out my light box and starting it tomorrow. I forget how much regular exercise helps the SAD. I'll have to try hard to remember to find time to exercise.

::crosses fingers with you::