Seasonal Affectation
Today was a long day, and it still is. I got up at 7 or something, but the baby unfortunately woke in the night so it was a poor sleep. I spent most of the morning making the opening sequence for my sports show on ITV4, which involved being photographed in hundreds of slightly different positions, and so felt a bit like being Gromit. In the afternoon I did rehearsals for the show: If you are one of the people who asked for studio tickets by the way, I will sort it out in the coming week. Maybe in the form of one of my famous COMPETITIONS.
Shit, that reminds me I’ve not awarded the Toblerone for the best first experience. Or chosen a DVD venue. Yet. But we are down to a shortlist of three towns. It will now depend on venue availability. Exciting/administrative!
Today I couldn’t help noticing that the relentless rain was putting me in a grim mood, as it always does. I generally get very downbeat in winter, and very hyper in Australia where the sun shines a lot more. I was thinking about SAD, the syndrome where you get, er, SAD during darker times of the year.
So here’s a discussion: does Seasonally Affected Disorder really exist? Or is it just common sense that you get grumpy when it’s dark and cold, and there’s no point making out that it’s a ‘condition’? Does anyone have it? Is the sun itself reading this? Etc.
Discuss if you will. In other news, Minchin is muttering about illness affecting his half marathon training and has started routinely describing me as his ‘nemesis’, despite being an older, wiser, sexier man. This is all tactics. He’s still fully expecting to beat my time. Sponsor/cheer/obstruct him.
And now I’m going on the radio again. Two Where’s Watson points if you post proof that you found me and listened in. None for seeing me on 8/10 Cats. Where I will look pretty quiet as usual. But have a nice T-shirt on. Guess what colour. It will BLOW YOUR MIND.
Posted by Craig on October 4, 2010
I generally don’t like labelling stuff as conditions unless it really is scientifically linked (as opposed to psychologically).
I have a friend though, that says she suffers from the opposite of SAD, i.e. Sad in summer and happy in winter. She labels it as a proper medical condition.
I have another theory though, and it involves computer games. She loves them. I suspect the pressure of people coming up to her in summer and saying “it’s sunny, lets go do something outside!” make her feel unhappy because she can’t play her games so much. Winter however would provide the perfect cover/excuse for this.
If this was the case then it doesn’t seem very scientific/psychological. Simply addiction perhaps.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Posted by Rachael on October 3, 2010
I saw a man rushing around whilst wearing that brown tracksuit top thing you have, does that count for ‘Where’s Watson?’ points? If i squinted abit he could almost have been you.
Posted by alex :) on October 3, 2010
I usually get horrifically under the weather (ogh) in winter. Lots of it is to do with being stuck inside in front of a computer most of the time, but some of it is because I am just generally inclined that way.
This year I felt so BLOODY FANTASTIC throughout summer that I wanted to do something to stay on top of myself throughout winter (antipodean winter btw: March – September-ish). My friend was off to France a few months ago and was going to the sunbeds so that she didn’t turn up to European summer looking like a pasty pall-monger.
Though I’m not all that interested in being tanned, I thought that this may be the way to keep my mood (and my stupid skin) above the plimsoll. I wrestled with myself over the health costs/benefits of such a choice and decided to give it one go, just to see what it was like. And it made me feel like a ray of sunshine. I only go about once a week (again, aforementioned aversion to looking like a Hilton sister in mid-winter plus usual cancer fears), lie on the bed for around 10-15 minutes and pay around NZ$10 a time (what’s that… about $6ish pounds?), but I have felt SO MUCH BETTER all winter and now it’s nearly summer again and I don’t feel as though I’m dragging myself out of quote as deep a canyon of despair as I have done for the last few years. Bloody brilliant.
I do realise that it can be dangerous (and stigmatising socially) to do sunbeds, but honestly, the benefits I’ve had from a wee blast of vitamin D once a week have been utterly remarkable and I think that as long as you’re careful, this can be a really good and efficient way of keeping it together during the dark and dreary and dismal. Plus, a really really long life of feeling like shit for half of each year does not appeal to me as much as a potentially shorter one where I actually want to get out of bed most days.
Posted by Ingrid on October 2, 2010
oh and btw your top was awsome! xx
Posted by MusicalLottie on October 2, 2010
I think SAD exists as a result of biochemical changes, and Sam’s comment was very interesting. It could be a bit like OCD, in that most of us will exhibit mild traits / tendencies of it and bandy around the name, but only when it becomes severe would it actually, medically count as a disorder. Personally my worst depressive episodes have been during the winter; the weather does affect my mood but not so markedly as to cause huge problems – not by itself, anyway.
My main gripe with winter are that I get thoroughly cold and then can’t warm up again so my joints ache and get stiff, and it throws my body clock. Once dark, I have no idea whether it’s 5pm or midnight, so my body doesn’t know when it’s supposed to be more sleepy.
There’s also the problem of living in the sticks, and when it’s icy it’s too dangerous to go anywhere (have to drive, no bus service or even footpaths) so I end up feeling very isolated.
That said, I love a crisp, clear winter’s day, providing I can wrap up warmly enough
Ahem. *steps off soapbox*
Posted by Tracey on October 2, 2010
Hi Mark,
Regarding the Seasonal Affective Disorder, I’ve found that living near Glasgow I tend to suffer with it all year round! All it ever seems to do here weatherwise is pour with rain. We did get about a couple of weeks of sunshine into late August but that was it. Apart from the weather, I love it here, hope the weather’s better with you. Tracey x
Posted by Sam on October 2, 2010
SAD tends to get thrown around quite a lot now that everyone knows (or thinks they know) what it is. People do get sad when it is drizzly etc, some people don’t some people actively enjoy the rain, but this is all part of the natural cycle of human emotions.
SAD comes in primarily in Scandinavian countries, Northern Canada and Siberia. It is how a lack of sunshine and increased cold weather affect you biologically. Going longer without sunshine actually alters the chemical output of your body and alters your emotions. In Britain we still have sunshine, sometimes it is cloudy or rainy, but the sun is still there. We just get upset because we can’t go out and do fun things or we get wet which most people don’t enjoy.
That was rather factual and dry.
Posted by Ingrid on October 2, 2010
I actually dont think you were to bad on 8 out of 10 cats. You didnt say that much but you said more than that blonde girl and what you said was funny, and thats what counts!
Posted by Joelle Stanton on October 2, 2010
I doubt it’s an actual disorder, more justpersonal preferences not being met.
I love winter and absolutely detest summer. It’s only Spring here in Aus at the moment and I’m already hating on Mr. Weather-God.
I love the rain and am happier in winter when it’s raining.
I just think it’s like anything else in life, if you get want you want, you’re quite pleased about it. If you don’t, you are displeased.
People try to pass far too much off as an actual medical problem these days.
Posted by Sophie on October 2, 2010
I find that the weather rarely affects my mood. I can be very depressed on a sunny day or incandescently happy. Rain can make me happy, the really heavy kind, not wimpy specks. Rain can also mirror my damp moods. The weather and the season don’t really make that much differernce, I find it’s just how you feel on a given day.
Winter means Christmas, and surely that’s all good?
Posted by Misha on October 2, 2010
You’re forgetting Watson, there’s a forum worth of people who make it their point to spot you on radio stations etc. We’ll find it.
As for SAD I don’t know, i’ve generally had my biggest downers in the winter months myself, but then I personally find the shit weather makes me cold and grumpy and tired. In view of a knackered finger (trapped it in a hinge) this comment will have to end here, typing hurts.
Posted by Someone on October 2, 2010
People are definitely happier in the summer… but I’m generally happier in the winter because I like walking in the rain with my music up loud too… but even more also I’m just a grumpy cow who prefers it when the streets are dreary and empty to when they’re beaming and full. I’m probably the female Bernard Black equivalent of this world – but sadly in a totally unloveable way :].
However I do now, as I do every year around this time, have a horrific cold that is trying to beat me down both physically and mentally; so comeuppance probably dolled out quite deservedly really. *grumble grumble shout drink scowl*
Posted by Mariam on October 2, 2010
I reckon SAD is an actual condition and like ChrisP said, has something to do with a lack of vitamin D. I have a friend who has it and her workplace has just approved a ‘sun lamp’ for her desk; it’s supposed to help if you have SAD. I definitely don’t suffer from it personally; the autumn and winter are the seasons I enjoy most (probably because my birthday is in the autumn) and I have days where I can’t leave the house all year round because of various panic/anxiety attacks.
Posted by Helen on October 1, 2010
I have no real insight into whether SAD exists or not, but it’s something I’ve offered wondered about.
As for the T-Shirt…I mean going for a primary was a curve ball in itself, but of all the primary colours to choose from I would never of guessed that one. Well played Mr Watson, my mind is well an truly blown. r*d was indeed an excellent choice.
(colour in question has been censored so as not to ruin it.)
Posted by ChrisP on October 1, 2010
I’m fairly certain SAD is a genuine condition and if it is, I’m 99% sure I have it so some extent and this could be the year that I finally do something about. I’m pretty sure it is vitamin D related though. I’m thinking about getting one of those light box thingys which apparently help some people but I spoke to my therapist girlfriend about it and she says she thinks they aren’t really that effective in quite a few cases and was generally cynical about them (she now takes a mild interest in the blog too). LisaBrunders rates them though so maybe I’ll give ‘em a go.
Ooo actually, just remembered, Richard Bacon who you mentioned on 6music the other day) did an interview this summer about seasons with my psychology lecturer (Lance Workman) and they talked at length about SAD and he said that apparently we’ve not evolved to live at these kind of latitudes and consequently are affected by the seasons in a negative way. I’ll have a word with him next time I’m in uni. So yes there is some science in this, it’s not just whining about being depressed like and it does affect some people much more than others. Doing something about it is a bit more complicated though.
Posted by Phill on October 1, 2010
I think SAD has been demonstrated to exist, scientifically at least. According to Wikipedia (the source of all truth, of course…) it says “Once regarded skeptically by the experts, seasonal affective disorder, is now well established” (I haven’t removed the superfluous comma… apologies if that offends anyone’s delicate sensibilities).
My wife gets pretty depressed during winter, although it doesn’t affect me that much. I do think it’s a real, observable phenomenon even if it doesn’t affect everyone.
I could probably go on about this and talk about turning everything into a disorder and so on but I’m aware it’s getting late and when it’s getting late my brain shuts down and I end up talking crap. So I’ll shut up :p
Posted by Hal on October 1, 2010
Tim Minchin…
Older, yes. Wiser, possibly. Sexier, no.
Not saying that either of you are precisely my cup of tea, but generally I favour a brunette.
Posted by h2osarah on October 1, 2010
I think I suffer from SAD. Every year when the clocks go back it’s the most upsetting thing, despite getting an extra hour for the weekend. The worst time was when I worked in a windowless office. I only saw the sun during my walk to work (and when I went to the toilet, outside which there was a window). By the time I went home again, it’d be dark. I don’t think the depression was entirely due to the lack of sun, but I definitely think that it made a huge impact on me. I’m not looking forward to facing the bleak darkness of winter again. I may have to get one of those UV lights.
Posted by Ally on October 1, 2010
I am generally happier in summer, but I think it has more to do with it being nicer and easier to spend time outside.
Posted by Kathryn on October 1, 2010
I do like Autumn. There’s something nice about taking a walk in the freezing cold and listening to season-appropriate music. I just can’t listen to, for example, Elbow, in the spring/summer. Although I am a bit mental sometimes- I used to do PE lessons when I was younger in a tshirt regardless of wind, hail or snow.
I think SAD does exist as a psychological condition. Perhaps it affects people differently. I just got pissed off last winter that I was in school all day and missed all the daylight.
Posted by Megan on October 1, 2010
SAD exists. I had it worse in Birmingham than I did here; give me snow over endless days of cold rain any day. (Also, the UK is further north than Ottawa, so days were even shorter.)
I have had a very long day indeed, involving leaving home at 7:30 for a blood sugar test (for which I had to fast). I then ate breakfast, then forgot to eat again until I realised I was shaking and buzzing and chattering so quickly that I was worried that staff would think I’d developed a meth habit (around 4pm). Yay me.
(4pm Meth Habit is the name of my new band – I meant that I forgot to eat until 4.)
Bike ride home might be interesting. Eek.
(I really should use my own blog to babble, eh?)
Posted by Jamie/James on October 1, 2010
I love walking through the rain listening to music, especially in a city. As for SAD, probably for some people, but it probably works in the same way that different genre’s of music can cause depression.
Also, rain and gloomy weather is associated with sadness, so it seems logical that when the weather’s bad people will be more depressed. I think its a lot more psychological than a mental disorder.
Lovely.
Posted by lisan66 on October 1, 2010
I don’t think SAD exists, but then again, I prefer winteer over summer.
Posted by Simon on October 1, 2010
SAD absolutely does exist.
Though I’m not sure it is all winter because I love days when is crisp, sunny and clear in winter so I reckon that people are solar powered.
Posted by Laurs on October 1, 2010
I’m not sure what I think about SAD. I think it is virtually impossible to wake up on a January morning in the dark, cold miserable weather and be in a happy happy cheerful mood that seems so natural when you wake up in July to a beautiful, bright sunny morning…
In saying that though, I wonder if SAD could be a real thing, but a symptom of further underlying issues rather than a condition in itself…
I’m rambling nowm or thinking aloud…
And as for the t shirt, I’m hoping for blue. And I have seconds to post this before 8 out of 10 cats starts and I have to change my comment!
Posted by Rachel on October 1, 2010
Interesting blog topic. I’ve convinced myself over the past few years that I suffer from SAD. I don’t think I’ve had a winter that hasn’t consisted of me being depressed from start to finish for at least five years. I could just be really unlucky though… I once read an article about a woman who didn’t realise she had it until she moved to Australia and suddenly stopped feeling down…which sounds like a good enough reason for me to move to Australia
In addition, whoever named it SAD was pretty accurate about the emotion behind it. Either that, or they didn’t think it through very well…
Posted by Natalie-Helen on October 1, 2010
Yay, Pinch, punch first of the month!
This was banned at my school. If you were even heard saying the rhyme but not pinching you were given detention. Mental.
On other notes, there are various studies about Scotland which seem to imply that it does. And something to do with the lack of Vitamin D which you get best from the sun which makes you feel glum and rundown.
I do feel a bit shitter in the winter. Probably a combination of having not so much to do, not being able to be outside as much as well of lack of sun.
In conclusion: I’m not a medical professional so can’t really answer.
^_^
xxx
Posted by LisaBrunders on October 1, 2010
I think it is common sense as you say, but that doesn’t stop it being a condition too. I have a SAD lamp, which I use every morning I’m just about to get it out, from it’s summer hideaway. It gets me out of bed, I’m in a stupour without it in the winter. I’ve had it for about 20 years!
I haven’t managed to find you on the radio, so I’ll be watching you on 8 out of 10 cats.
Posted by Lydia on October 1, 2010
Oooh, SAD was mentioned in my psychology lesson today. This is probably wrong because to be completely honest I wasn’t exactly listening but I think that it’s something to do with bio-rhythms.
No, I don’t know what they are.
Posted by Anji on October 1, 2010
Bugger. One glass of wine and I hit buttons at the wrong times…. I really hope that doesn’t stay as first comment!
As I was saying… Especially if the sun itself is reading this.
And that was it. Apparently it needed dragging out. Sorry about that.
Posted by Anji on October 1, 2010
Huh I was thinking about SAD today too. I didn’t come to any conclusion, so will be interested in seeing the response. Especially is the sun