My fiance seems to hibernate this time every year, could it be seasonal depression?

Question

He sleeps constantly, I mean like he comes home from work, goes to sleep for a few hours, wakes up, eats something, and the goes to sleep again until he has to wake up in the morning. It's not a year round thing, just during the fall-winter period when it starts gettin colder. This is our 4th fall we have been together, and every year its the same thing. I'm worried about it, and I'm tired of looking at his eyelids! Do you think this could be seasonal depression, and if so, how do I snap him out of it and get him to be productive again?

btw-we live in Mississipi, if that helps, it's not tooo cold yet! He does electrical work on new construction, so he's outside a lot! as far as the family death thing, I'm not aware of any, he had a friend in High school that died, but that was in May. His family does live about 5 hours away, but we see them fairly often, several times a year. Maybe more details can help!

Answer 1

Ashlie, I think you the nail right on the head. I am exactly the opposite though. I do so much better in the fall. I feel better, and have so much more energy and spunk. Your husband draws his strength through the sun. I call myself a vampire, because I am a night person. The sun seems to suck all my energy, where as I seem to perk up right when everyone is going to bed.

I also live in MS towards the coast, our days are so much shorter right now. So, your husband's is seeing less and less sun. Brighten up the house with lighter and brighter colors, put up thinner curtains, the light bulbs need to go up a notch, this may seem silly to some people, but what's it going to hurt and try it. I again do the opposite in my bedroom, but for the rest of the house because my family is sunny people too. Their attitudes change. Add a few lamps if you need to.

A good vitamin pill with extra c helps also. My Mom says it's just the old southern thing, passed on from generation to generation. Because our grandparent's grandparents went to bed when the sun went down and got up when it came up. Also, don't fix real heavy meals, add lots of salads and pasta. Stuff with energy boosters. I promise you will see a difference.

God bless us all....

ps..I definitely know about the being tried of looking at his eyelids

Answer 2

SAD is recognized in the DSM-IV (The American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual) as a subtype of major depressive episode. The classic major depression involves decreased appetite, decreased sleep, and often, poor appetite and weight loss. It has long been recognized that some depressed individuals had a "atypical depression" with increased sleep and appetite along with decreased energy. Some, but not all of these atypical individuals also had a seasonal pattern. Some people with winter depression also have mild or occasionally severe manic mood swings in the spring and summer. If these episodes are severe, the individual might be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. (formerly called manic depressive illness)

Outdoor light, even when the sky is overcast, provides as much or more light than a light box. There has been a study showing improvement in SAD symptoms when individuals took a one-hour daily walk outside. Outside light is often brighter than the light boxes. Spending an hour outside each day can often produce beneficial results in some individuals. However, one cannot get early morning outside light in the winter. Not everyone's job will allow for an hour-long outside walk. Only highly motivated people will continue their daily walk when it the rains or snows.

Answer 3

Here is something that you can try and if it does not work it causes no harm. Lack of sunshine affects the human body. I live in a cold desolate hell frozen place called Montana where we have the highest suicide rate in the US. I used to get very depressed and then was made aware of "grow lights"; bulbs that you can put in lamps and etc that equate natural sunlight. When I am sitting at my computer working on tax returns I live under the grow lights; and for me they work. Depression doesn't bother me since I started using them. They come in bulbs and fluorescent tubes both and just go in normal lighting fixtures. No difference in color or anything so you could change some and see if they alter his sleep pattern.

Answer 4

He'd be best to go and see his doctor and explain what is happening to him at this time of year. It could be form of seasonal affective disorder. I knew a fella who suffered from this every fall and winter, during the darker/cooler months. He had a special light and it would generate a light source that helped with his moods and sleeping patterns. I'm no doctor however so don't want to try and diagnose your fiance but he should definitely see a professional doctor to help find out what is causing this.

Answer 5

This is very very common.

I learned about it in school last year. With the days being shorter, and cooler you just want to sleep. Unfortunately I am affected by it. Most people have their bodies trained to stay awake during the day and sleep and night. So when the sun starts going down earlier, your body thinks it is time to go to sleep earlier.

I really don't think there is much you can do about it, there are lighting tricks you can try..certain types of lights you can install into your windows that make it appear day time later and fakes sundown and eventually turns off..tricking your body into thinking its still day time. I haven't tried it but I've heard it can be successful. Good luck!!

Answer 6

in simple terms like in people, melancholy can "depress" the immune gadget, which leaves them greater vulnerable. So can rigidity: issues like a pal shifting away, or shifting abode themselves. notwithstanding, the depressed indicators could desire to be the beginning up of a few thing else, no longer the consequence of a few thing else. Nosebleeds are often a symptom of nasal cancers. in step with risk the dogs became feeling poorly from a tumor beginning so which you spotted the quieter habit, and the nosebleeds have been the subsequent symptom. verify with your vet to make particular there isn't any longer maximum cancers springing up, or another sickness. A blood attempt is a sturdy thank you to perceive some cancers. If the vet you're seeing won't pursue finding what's incorrect, get a 2d opinion. additionally, do no longer beat your self up over it, your dogs's potential to heal can in lots of circumstances be plagued by your physique of recommendations (beneficial and hopeful or irritating and discouraged).

Answer 7

Sorry, its football season, he's not hibernating he's watching football, no the season changes can be difficult on some men, with labor jobs, or if he has a long commute, talk to him, see if you could drink a half cup of coffee, when he gets in, or drink green tea, just talk to him about in a nice way, for this situation it will really matter to him on how you bring it up, because he might feel attached by you if you have any condemnation in your voice

God Bless

Answer 8

it might not be depression! i know my boyfriend of 4 years gets all down and lonely for like a whole month. and it is every year and the same month. so finally this year i asked him why he does it, and he told me because it was when his sister died and they were really close. so maybe its something really personal to him that hes not ready to share w/ you.i mean it took my b/f 4 and half years to finally tell me what was wrong. you cant get mad if at first he say "nothings wrong", or he doesnt want to tell you, stuff like that takes some time, and dont get mad if he doesnt tell you because that will make him not want to tell you. just take it easy.

Answer 9

It takes more energy to produce heat during the fall winter months. Also ask him whats up gently guide him to a therapist if it is really depression.

Answer 10

I'm the same way. I freakin' hate this time of year! I just want to disappear until spring. I don't know what to do about it. I've thought about seeing a dr. but I don't want to be put on antidepressants. Let me know what you discover 'cause I am miserable this time of year. I hate it!