Anxiety

[Nicos]

Vitamin D3 supplements are a big thing over here.
You need to have a blood test first though to see if you have normal levels.

I'd never heard about this deficiency before I moved darn Souff to the sunnier climes!!!...even loads of kiddies take this during the winter months!

SAD and anxiety attacks often go hand in hand...certainly might be worth looking into???

[buzzingtalk]

Nicos - yes Vitamin D deficiency is just starting to gain interest over here. I take 25micrograms each day, and it has helped my moods and getting out of bed. It also boosts your immune system (we all get weaker in winter and run down, so it makes sense that its the lack of sun)

I didn't know about the link between SAD and anxiety - I shall look into this, thanks for the info. It makes perfect sense to me though, and adds up fine. I spent 6 weeks over xmas in the middle east and asia in the sun, and didn't have any anxiety, sleep problems, SAD lifted quickly etc. I don't think I am meant to live in the UK is what my body is trying to tell me, I seem to do much better when as close to the equator as possible with no seasons or variations in weather or temperature.

T_S - I am still looking for a SAD lamp, but I can't really afford one right now, especially seeing as the sun is creeping back. I'm intrigued to see if this lifts and how I am in the summer, and will definatley be buying one in late summer in preparation for next winter. Did you get a refund on yours?

[buzzingtalk]

Also Nicos, have you heard of the French clay that people drink? I buy it from a woman locally, and she gets it all from France, apparently they sell it in the pharmacy and its quite popular over there? It's brilliant stuff, really clears you out, but hard to get hold of in the UK

[Nicos]

Clay drink???...nope- tell me more!

[Two_Sheds]

Vitamin D deficiency is just starting to gain interest over here. I take 25micrograms each day

I started it this winter too - it certainly hasn't done any harm. I've not suffered too badly this winter, having a whole load of sewing projects to do (and contests via an internet forum) has really helped keep me going

T_S - I am still looking for a SAD lamp,...Did you get a refund on yours?

Not yet, I'm really not impressed. I got it from Electronic Healing in Brighton, who get their stock from somewhere in Louth.
I had to return the unit to Louth, now Louth are sending it to Brighton ... wtf?

[Hilary B]

It is my reckoning that the human species was 'intended' to be active for the hours of daylight and rest when it is dark. The problem often isn't the short days, it is our insistence on working (or otherwise being active) for longer than the daylight lasts! Our distant ancestors did very little nce the sun had set, but were that much busier during daylight. I imagine they had few problems sleeping, and rarely suffered from depression or anxiety.
This may sound daft, but have you considered finding some worries you can solve, to concentrate on, so you have less space for worries you cannot address in any way?
Some people have a high 'worry-capacity' and do better filling it with solvable problems, rather than let it fill up with the other sort.

[buzzingtalk]

Hilary - yes I often wondered this about ancestors too. In Malaysia, a lot of people haven't even heard of SAD and depression is fairly rare out there. Within 2 days of getting there a month or so ago, all symptoms of SAD pretty much disappeared, I slept fine, was full of energy and felt a lot better about myself, life and the world around me. There are no seasons, and the sun shines for 12 hours a day, every day. So I too believe the vitamin D thing, and resting when it is dark.

Not much I can do to help the worrying, its all internal and in my head. My job isn't stressful, I live in a lovely house with nice people, money doesn't stress me out. I'm finding keeping very busy is helping, but I don't know if that is distraction or cure.

At the minute I have nothing to aim for, though, so need to find something to aspire towards which will help me feel better. I do also sometimes get lonely in Norwich (I'm not from here originally) and miss my friends back in London, but it's not possible to go back very often (money. plus London makes me really ill). I'd quite like to meet people out of work and OH's social circle, just to have people to go and see outside of my house...am on the lotty waiting list but it could be a while yet.

[buzzingtalk]

T_S - Sorry to hear that! I am going to get a Lumie one when I get the money in summer, I might see if my mum can get a discounted one as she works in a light shop and may be able to order one in...if she can, I might be able to get one for you too on a discount?

[Two_Sheds]

I do also sometimes get lonely in Norwich

Do you know Plantation Garden? They have volunteers to do the weeding etc.

I don't know if groups are your 'thing' but Norwich Cycling Club used to be good fun, friendly group rides that always ended up at a pub. Norwich FoE would know their contact details, I'm afraid I can't remember

[buzzingtalk]

Haha, funny you should link me to plantation garden - I bike past it every day on way back from work and just today was wondering what it was...will check it out, thanks. Will try out the bike club too once I'm back in reasonable fitness (can't handle hills of any sort at the minute!)

[Two_Sheds]

The bike club don't do hills, they just bike from pub to pub within Norwich! Actually if I remember rightly, it was the FoE people I biked with, it wasn't an official bike club

[Nicos]

Magnesium deficiency often goes hand in hand with Vit D3 deficiency.

The thing is...no-one should go out and just buy these supplements to see if they feel better-it should be done under medical supervision.
You really need to know what your blood readings are before and after treatment.
Overdoses can also cause problems

[buzzingtalk]

The bike club don't do hills, they just bike from pub to pub within Norwich! Actually if I remember rightly, it was the FoE people I biked with, it wasn't an official bike club

By hills, I mean earlham road. Not exactly a hill as such, but I still have to walk it. Asthma is not the one!

[morverngirl]

My daughter has trained as a PWP (personal wellbeing practitioner) otherwise known as an Low intensity worker, she works for NHS and deals with helping people help themselves to overcome their anxiety and depression using CBT techniques,either 1-1 or by telephone. This is available all over the country by GP referral. Designed to stop dependancy on drugs and time off work. Good sucess. I can see by the number of replies that there is a great deal of support for you and others, don't feel alone,talking is a great step to take

[buzzingtalk]

Sounds like your daughter has a very rewarding job, and well done to her Yes I am hoping that I can get a referral but with the cuts the Tories are making, I don't have much hope. But at least some reassurance from the GP, and some meds, will tide me over for a while.