Stolen from Craiglist:

A lot of folks in the parenting community have been expressing feelings of depression. One of the moms there posted this lovely message this morning, and I just wanted to share it.

"I noticed a spike in the depression posts and wanted to remind people that as the season changes from winter to spring, and the days get longer, we all go into a state of transition.

Some people have a tough time with this transition; frequently, these are the same people who get stuck in the winter blahs or suffer from SAD or who find their clinical depression gets worse in the winter.

For me, there are two major transitions to a year: The first occurs around the Mid-February/Mid-March and the other occurs areound Mid-October/Mid-November.

The shift from fall to winter is generally not that bad, but the switch from winter to spring is somehow a more violent and turbulent one. Instead of becoming more quiet and introspective and sort of melancholy, coming down off a summer high, I find that I am having more days of irritability, feelings of impatience and hostility, spikes of depression mixed with spikes of manic behavior. Eventually, I know it will begin to even out as the level of light starts to match warm weather and outdoor activities but in the meantime it's a rough go.

The best suggestions I can give to people having a hard time right now are the following:

1) Get out into as much natural sunlight as you can right now. Walk before breakfast even if it's just to the coffeeshop for a bagel or muffin.

2) Increase your daytime exercise and if you can manage it, do it outside. The natural light combined with the exercise will help the moods to even out and the depression to fade out.

3) Do not make any big life altering decisions if you can avoid it. I'm not talking about Mercury being in retrograde, I am talking about being in the right frame of mind to accurately assess your life and make sound decisions. Every big job change in my life occurred in March until I recognized thw pattern--I no longer quit jobs in March or make major decisions like that until I know my mood has stabilized. This ALSO goes for relationships. I try to avoid stormy breakups during this season.

4) Pamper yourself--take care of your diet, make sure you get enough sleep, and make sure you take some time to smell the roses.

5) Explain to family members and friends that you're going through a rough patch but that you know it's not permanent. Lean on them for support if you can, but don't forget to appreciate what they do. I am lucky that [my husband] is a good observer--he caught the beginning of this year's grumpies before I did. I let him know that it's a regular pattern and has an end in sight and apologized for being restless, agitated, and sharp with him. He is able to be more patient knowing that I don't mean to be bitchy, it's just a kind of growing pain.

Hug your kids. I swear it is a wonderdrug.

And for people with treatment resistent depression--they make advances as time passes and even though there may be little that you can tangibly do in the now, sometimes it's the smallest battles that matter the most. Remembering to think positive whenever you can, telling yourself it won't always be this way, taking strength and solace from wherever it is offered can make a difference in your day, even if it's just a little difference. If you do it enough, you may be able to change your mindset just a little to make life more bearable. Keep strong!"

Comments

[Grammy]

I am officially hugging my kid: OOOOOOOOOOO

Now for the Grands: OOOOOOOOOOOOO
That is an awesome article.
Mom.

[GrammyAuntieNancy]

Ditto, and hugs to the girls and you.
Auntie N

[lunasmom]

Cool! I finally got around to reading the blog and leaving a comment. I'm kind of happy you pasted my posting here, I am surprised that it made it onto the radar. I don't think I realized how much depression is in the forefront of our minds right now and while I always tell myself "you are not alone" it is entirely different to hear an actual chorus of women say "me too!"

Big hugs to you and yours!

--lunasmom

[Veronica]

Saturday was the hardest day of my lofe my husband ran over my daughter as I watched I scream so loud that he heard in time to stop before the tire could have ran her head over.... Today I was able to breathe again My daughter has no broken bones we are survivors of what could of been I breathe her every breathe I play and Laugh again as if we are not promise tomorrow But as a new day start I take it as a gift to Love again and forgive myself for letting this happen I love you Alexxa and Frank