Depression triggered by the change in season

One thing I have noticed over the years is that my depression seems to be triggered by the change in the seasons specifically Spring and Fall.    Spring has sprung here in BC and I feel like I have been hit with a ton of bricks.  Last fall I had the same experience and if I had a mood tracker back then I am sure I would see a similar pattern over the years.  

Anyone else experience this?  Any suggestions on how to prepare yourself and get through it?  

Thanks  

-T

[LeftCoastChick]

I've had the same thing, this is a characteristic of another mood disorder. I would highly recommend if you don't have a psychiatrist, get one. I  get the worst depression in the summer time and some right before xmas.  Because of my new diagnosis and better meds, I had a depression free xmas.  Cyclical depression is a sign (not always, but mostly) one the Bipolar mood disorders.   It's not the worst thing to be diagnosed with, it can be controlled quite well. See your doctor as soon as you can and get a referral.
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[ILADVOCATE]

You could ask about seasonal affective disorder. That is treated with light therapy along with medications. A person has to use a bank of lights to adjust the hour of daylight they have. You could ask your psychiatrist if that's what might be going on.

[2009toads]

I wasn't very clear when I described my situation.  I have Bipolar 1 and have been dealing with it for about 7 years using meds and psychotherapy.  I am trying to see if there is a pattern to my depressions and I seem to sink in the Fall and Spring months.....maybe a transition thing?

I agree ILADVOCATE some seasonal affective stuff is going on and I try to use a light box as much as possible in the fall and winter.  I guess I am still trying to find the silver bullet to solve my BP??

[theguts]

I too, as well as a friend of mine who is BP, suffer from the Spring depression.  We have both been having a hard time lately.  My husband says he noticed this in me in years past.  Hopefully, for the future, knowing it is going to happen will help me deal with it.  I too would like to know how others have dealt with it!  Any suggestions?

[bernie40]

Spring is my best season and then it goes down hill from there!  The usual treatment aside from light therapy, exercise and plenty of fresh air (which is no good for people like me who are allergic to things that are good for you) is a course of AD's.  Of course with BP you have to be very careful and they should always be taken alongside a mood stabilizer and with very close and careful monitoring.

Oh, and winter isn't too bad ... as long as I don't have to go outside ;-)

Summer and Autumn are horrid, I just want to curl up and sleep.