Seasonal Affective Survey

The last few days have been hot and sunny, the bluebells and the wild garlic are out, the blossom is hanging heavy and scented in the trees and bumble bees are busy everywhere.
It’s pretty obvious from the way I’m writing that I love this time of year I find it naturally hopeful and in the long winter months I find myself imagining daffodils and bluebells. However, not everyone loves spring and many people are affected differently by each season. Some people are significantly affected not only by the seasons but by the changes in seasons and may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder which is usually characterised by unexplained depression at the same time each year.
There are a number of treatments for SAD and counselling is one of them and can be a real support. As with many forms of depression, it can be hard to feel motivated to do anything let alone help yourself, and then when the good times come “Ah I feel fine now, I don’t need help!”.
There are a lot of people I have known socially or in my family who have suffered depression at one time or another and often when I have recommended counselling they say “I’m better now, it’s when I feel down that I need it”. To these people I always say that maybe when you are feeling good, when you feel motivated, maybe now is a good time to talk even if you don’t really want to think about it.

Please help us to find out which season is the most popular and the least popular season. Or perhaps you like all seasons equally or have no idea what we are talking about and find that the changing seasons don’t affect your mood at all.

Although now might be your “I feel fine right now” time, perhaps that is the best time to explore what is happening for you in the times when you find it harder to cope.
For what it’s worth: as a long term depressive I have found that September is the worst as it reminds me of having to go back to school (which I hated) and all other nasties connected with winter. From clocks going back in Oct until well into May I make no commitments. As I’m old and decrepit anyway it’s manageable. I cannot tell you how much I loathe some wag saying in the middle of June “The nights are drawing in from now on” and also when it starts to warm up in the spring, the Fotherington-Thomases of this world will bang on about how beautiful it all is. I don’t want to be shoved outside to APPRECIATE it all, I’ll do it when I’m good any ready, thanks. I guess it’s really about assumptions.
btw you’ll probably be relieved to know I’d gone back to therapy and I’m OK really – I can actually manage the depression without any nasty medications provided I’m allowed to be what I am.
Thanks Kate, good to know you went back to therapy and found it helpful :)