Friday, June 5, 2009

SAD

No, I'm not unhappy. That's Seasonal Affective Disorder. Most people think of winter depression when they hear the term SAD. A small percentage of the population suffers from summer SAD. Summer SAD is insomnia due to too much sunlight. I just read about a study they did in some northern latitude countries on suicide rates. They go UP in the summer. It's all that midnight sun that keeps people awake.

I've come to think of it as nap season. I really can't take drugs for the most part, I'm either waaaaaaay too sensitive or allergic to everything for that. I can at least nap during the day when the light level stays the same. If I can go to sleep in the afternoon then I can take a half decent nap. My room is very dark even during the day so that helps some.

Needless to say I don't get as much done during the couple of months of nap season. The worst is from about the end of May until the middle of August or so.

I live for fall.

2 comments:

SusanKS said...

Sorry SAD has hit you again. I feel your insomnia. I've felt crappy already also..I haven't been able to get to sleep until 1:30 a.m. and then toss and turn when I try to sleep late (way too light!) I'm waiting for fall too...got a feeling it's going to be a loooong summmer!

Unknown said...

I've got summer sad too and started a website....there are other blogs as well: www.summersad.ning.com

Hang in there....you'll make it. I recently started trying 5-HTP at night and so far I feel a little better (I'm also avoiding the drugs). Anyway, feel free to email me or drop by if you need to vent about all the summer fun!