Winter Blues - Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD How is Austin for this. (summer, between)

[pinda]

My doctor finally diagnosed me with SAD about 2 years or so ago. I have known for many years I had it to a point, but when it took over my life, and made me so weak, I thought is was something more. My husband thinks it is something more too, but I get much better when I go south. We just hate to leave our family in Wisconsin.

Thank you for your concern, I appreciate it. We are closer to moving than ever because he got a job that allows him to transfer where there is an opening. I just know he would rather not move, but I really have to. I feel bad my problem affects him so greatly.

Finally, sunshine in Wisconsin, Yeah!!!!!:

I am always looking for suggestions on nice places to live with lots of sunshine.

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by pinda

Finally, sunshine in Wisconsin, Yeah!!!!!:

Yeah, but it was cold! Must have been in the high 40's low 50's in Madison today. I know exactly what you mean about it taking over your life. Just hope I'm brave enough to make the leap. I don't know if I can survive another winter here.

[twange]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

Just hope I'm brave enough to make the leap. I don't know if I can survive another winter here.

Just do it, otherwise you'll wonder what if...

You know the old saying:

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for".

[epiultra]

Originally Posted by JLLopez1006

I want to thank you for your posting. I too live in Wisconsin, and find myself getting more and more miserable with every year. I spend a majority of the year in despair, and my husband has suggested that I have SAD because it is so extreme.

I have been begging my husband to move to the Big Bend Country in Texas, specifically Alpine. He is reluctant for numerous reasons.

I fear my future existence if this does not happen soon. Even in early April, I am barely getting by.

No body understands or fully cares. If we move, my husband, boys, employers and family will be unhappy. Yet I am more miserable than people can imagine here.

Whatever the case, thank you for your posting, and for letting me know that there are other people out there-- even here in Wisconsin-- that are in the same boat.

--JLLopez1006

I tried suicide from SAD twice, trust me, it is better to move and really explain the heartfelt need to your family that it is a MUST to your survival. If they dont believe you tell them you have to go and they’re welcome to come along. Moving is better than suicide. I finally moved to CA away from Virginia and my SAD is completely gone two years straight!. I consider moving an expensive all natural medication to keep me alive.

[Need4Camaro]

This is 12 years old (yes indeed over a decade ) ---but I cant help but throw in a comment.

When I moved to Seattle back in 2011, One thing that shocked me was how obscenely long days could be there during the Summer Solstice period. It was literally still sunshine at 10pm.

Winters on the other hand were dark by 5pm.

[centralaustinite]

Such an old thread! I'm surprised that I didn't comment on it before. But FWIW I suffered from SAD as a teen in the midwest and then an adult in the upper midwest. Latitude is indeed key! Living first overseas in a low latitude and then in Texas (300 days a year with sunshine) made a HUGE difference.

[TheseGoTo11]

Was never diagnosed with SAD, but have a big problem with winter darkness and cold. One nice thing about Austin isn't just the latitude, but the late sunset due to being in the western portion of the time zone. The earliest December sunset is around 5:35pm, almost an hour later than Los Angeles.

[earthisle]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

Was never diagnosed with SAD, but have a big problem with winter darkness and cold. One nice thing about Austin isn't just the latitude, but the late sunset due to being in the western portion of the time zone. The earliest December sunset is around 5:35pm, almost an hour later than Los Angeles.

Yes people don't seem to realize how much this varies from place to place. I recently found out how early the sun sets in California in winter and I googled to see how people there cope with it, and I found nothing. No forum threads, no complaints, nothing.

A lot of places are even worse. Sunset in much of Britain is before 4pm on the winter solstice. Can you imagine the sunset at 3:45pm? By the time you leave work it's been night for over an hour

[Trainwreck20]

Kind of tangential, but it may not be just the time of sunrise/sunset that affects people; my wife travels to northern Europe a couple of times a year, and she has always remarked on how much brighter it is here than there, even during the same conditions/time of year. Mid-summer days may be longer there, but they are not as bright, and in the winter it is even dimmer. She says she doesn't really notice it until she gets back, but then everything is blindingly bright. She has never needed sunglasses in northern Europe.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Kind of tangential, but it may not be just the time of sunrise/sunset that affects people; my wife travels to northern Europe a couple of times a year, and she has always remarked on how much brighter it is here than there, even during the same conditions/time of year. Mid-summer days may be longer there, but they are not as bright, and in the winter it is even dimmer. She says she doesn't really notice it until she gets back, but then everything is blindingly bright. She has never needed sunglasses in northern Europe.

Im from up north and the sun is much brighter and stronger here. It is due to the angle relative to the sun. The closer to the equator the more the sun is directly overhead.

UV rays are strongest in the summer months. Latitude – The sun's rays are strongest at the equator where the sun is most directly overhead. This is why in southern states, like Florida or Texas, you may be more likely to get sunburned than in northern states like Maine