Mrsr1976 Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 Hi I would be grateful if anyone had any experience of themselves or their family members suffering with SAD and/or depression and their symptoms changing or staying the same after a relocation to warmer and sunnier climates in WA. Also of there are much support for these conditions in Perth. Thanks in advance. Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen78 Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Hi, not sure if we actually had SAD but the constant grey, drizzle, wind, cold, no real summer etc definitely affected our moods in the UK and we felt permanently very fed up and down about things. I can honestly say that we have felt so much better since moving, it been to do with a lot of things - the whole life and lifestyle change but the weather has definitely had something to do with it as it means you can do more, be outside more, and everywhere’s bright and beautiful. Winter can be a bit cold/rainy/windy but it soon passes and you still get some really nice sunny days and can still be outisde as much as you want to. However, it’s not the be alll and end all, you have to factor in the homesickness, missing family and friends, how willing you are to go out and about, and to meet new people, your job prospects etc. As if these don’t happen, the weather alone will not make a person happy. I’ve heard that there are some good mental health charities out here, but I don’t know if any of them specialise in SAD, may be worth a google. Jen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegg Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Hi @Mrsr1976 Well i have suffered with serious winter blues all my life .... i work outside , yet the long dark winter really gets me down. Dark mornings and the night getting dark sooo early! I will never take medication - but i try to eat well , live well etc etc ............ ............... Anyhow - we landed in Perth in Ozzy winter and i can say that daily sun was amazing - the fact you can hang your washing out in the Perth winter sun was amazing . I also really enjoyed the winter storms , but yes the sun - for me made me feel alot better. However it does get dark very very early in Western Australia - so i personally did find the night times hard ...... and it does drop cold at night. I hope this helps ........ I know SAD can be very difficult , But all i know is that ive been in Oz for a year - now im back in the UK ... Which winter do i prefure ? Western Australia winter for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsr1976 Posted February 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Hi [mention=1055]Mrsr1976[/mention] Well i have suffered with serious winter blues all my life .... i work outside , yet the long dark winter really gets me down. Dark mornings and the night getting dark sooo early! I will never take medication - but i try to eat well , live well etc etc ............ ............... Anyhow - we landed in Perth in Ozzy winter and i can say that daily sun was amazing - the fact you can hang your washing out in the Perth winter sun was amazing . I also really enjoyed the winter storms , but yes the sun - for me made me feel alot better. However it does get dark very very early in Western Australia - so i personally did find the night times hard ...... and it does drop cold at night. I hope this helps ........ I know SAD can be very difficult , But all i know is that ive been in Oz for a year - now im back in the UK ... Which winter do i prefure ? Western Australia winter for sure!Thanks both. That's really helpful. [emoji106]Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I work in Mental health and in 11 years here, I have not come across one diagnosis of SAD here (not to say there aren't any people with it)> There may not be specific supports for SAD, but there are organisations like Grow. If you use a light box, then still bring that with you to see if you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 I suffered from SAD when living in UK, but not at all since living in Western Australia, and we have been here for 27 years now. I do make sure that I am outside in the sunshine every day, but in the winter I also take a Vitamin D supplement. I took Vit D in UK too, but it just didn't cut it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsr1976 Posted February 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 I suffered from SAD when living in UK, but not at all since living in Western Australia, and we have been here for 27 years now. I do make sure that I am outside in the sunshine every day, but in the winter I also take a Vitamin D supplement. I took Vit D in UK too, but it just didn't cut it for me. Thanks. We are both taking Vitamin D as a spray. It's really my husband that suffers in the winter time more so all these replies are really positive. We started looking into Australia due to his SAD. He does use a light box and likes doing sports outside so winter in the UK is when he finds it almost impossible to get motivated to do any exercise which would help. The early sunsets in the Australian summer is a bit of a worry as it's so lovely it being light late in the summer in the UK but at least it would be warm! Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 7 hours ago, Mrsr1976 said: Thanks. We are both taking Vitamin D as a spray. It's really my husband that suffers in the winter time more so all these replies are really positive. We started looking into Australia due to his SAD. He does use a light box and likes doing sports outside so winter in the UK is when he finds it almost impossible to get motivated to do any exercise which would help. The early sunsets in the Australian summer is a bit of a worry as it's so lovely it being light late in the summer in the UK but at least it would be warm! Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk Whilst it can get dark earlier - the warmer evenings mean that you can still do activities which might help counter some of the low mood. If you can afford it, it may be worth doing a recci during the winter months to see how you find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsr1976 Posted February 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Whilst it can get dark earlier - the warmer evenings mean that you can still do activities which might help counter some of the low mood. If you can afford it, it may be worth doing a recci during the winter months to see how you find it.Thanks for the advice. [emoji106] We have visited in July/ August two different times and stayed for a a month at at time. I loved the fact it's bright and sunny some days, despite being winter and we could get out and do more outdoors. We travelled up to Coral Bay and downtown Albany to give us some experience of what WA has to offer. It was lovely and warm up in Coral Bay and even in Albany, we went yo the beach. It did feel chilly at night and we plugged in various heaters wherever we were staying! I suppose it's all relative and the houses are supposed to keep cool in the hot summer. I do feel it would help my partner ashe does feel so low during the winter in the UK which can go from October all the way through till March... They say we may expect snow next week! It's all about predictability for me. I would just love to plan activities outside and not be let down by the unreliability of the weather in the UK!Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 would just chip in and say my wife suffered with SAD for the first time in oz. She was recommended a UV lamp which helped a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegg Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Just like to say .... when is this winter going to end in the UK !!!! snow again !!!! in march !!!! Suposed to be going surfing next week in Cornwal BRRRRRR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsr1976 Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Just like to say .... when is this winter going to end in the UK !!!! snow again !!!! in march !!!! Suposed to be going surfing next week in Cornwal BRRRRRR Tell me about it!! Especially when you suffer from SAD!So over the snow now.... It's lovely when you don't have to get anywhere!!Cornwall had it bad again I think.... Where are you going in Cornwall? I'm from Porthtowan originally [emoji106]Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegg Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 We often nip to Porthtowan ..... nice spot , absolutely love Cornwall , but yes there was snow in Cornwall again ! We are heading to mawganporth for a week ...... lush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisreed121 Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 I remember going through this with a friend who's dad had just died of cancer. Of course, I was very supportive and would talk with her every day. Eventually, it was getting pretty heavy for me and I ran out of things to say. So what did I do? Tell her I couldn't take it anymore? No of course not. I just endured and tried to be as supportive as possible. It took a while but eventually, she got better. Talking with her was pretty depressing for me and it was deffs affecting me but I knew this was one of those times where you're gonna have to sacrifice your mental for theirs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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