[link] SAD

[wispfox]

From nikkinewsnet, comes quite possibly the most sensible explanation of SAD I think I've ever seen. I'm all impressed and stuff!

They mentioned an increase in melatonin, a decrease in serotonin (I'm not entirely sure I was consciously aware that it was _both_, although I've blamed both at different times), loss of libido, anxiety, irritability and social withdrawal. They also mentioned both excersise and light therapy. Go, them!

Of course, they didn't mention the thought that taking metatonin right before sleep will at least force an increase in it such that I tend to be able to actually _get_ to sleep (although it doesn't last the whole night). Which I did last night. I seem to recall that normal metatonin stuff entails a drop in production during the day, and an increase when it's time for sleep. Having it more or less the same level _all the time_ caused me to decide, at some point, that perhaps forcing an increase at sleep time would be beneficial. This appears to have held true.

And they didn't mention the possibility of taking serotonin-affecting things (OTC (SAM-E, 5-HTP, St. John's Wart, etc...) or perscription (I'm only familiar with SSRIs)). But, hey - I suppose it's good that their first thought wasn't medicating, right? (Besides, I'm _terrible_ with taking regularly any of the OTC supplements which ought to help, and the one SSRI I ever tried kinda... deadened me, emotionally)

Anyway. Food now!

Comments

[dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com]

Is the insomnia you get in winter just random seasonal weirdness or is it related to anxiety or something else?

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

The insomnia that I get in winter which is worse that the insomnia that I get normally seems, based on the effects of taking melatonin, to be simply that my melatonin levels are at about the same levels the entire day. That lack of significant peek around sleeping time means that even though I may be tired, I am not _sleepy_, thus being unable to sleep.

[dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* gotcha.

[windswept.livejournal.com]

Excellent link - thanks!