seasonal affective disorder

irlanda · #1 (**permalink**) 14th November 2007, 07:17 PM

hello i am a twenty year old living in ireland who suffers from seasonal affective disorder( basically the winter plunges me into a deep depression) i am currently studying spanish and french with the intention of emigrating to the south of spain! however the depression has hit me again and i dont know if i will even pass my exams-does anyone know anyone who decided to emigrate to the south of spain due to this disorder? or can anyone give me advice? i cannot live in this country anymore- i dont even care what job i am doing as long as there is sun-any advice would be greatly appreciated

golddust · #2 (**permalink**) 14th November 2007, 09:48 PM

Hi,
Very sorry about the seasonal affective disorder. Funny, I'm also having some of that, and I'm living in Spain!! I'm from the Southwestern USA where it's sunny nearly 300 days out of the year, and now I'm living in Northern Spain and all this cold rain has got me missing the desert!! It's definitely not sunny here. But, I'm sure it must be sunnier in the south, where you're thinking of moving. Maybe you could go there on vacation, to study for your exams? hehe. Have you spent much time in Spain before?

Stravinsky · #3 (**permalink**) 14th November 2007, 10:35 PM

Hiya

Sorry I dont know anyone who's specifically diagnosed with it, but many people move here from the UK because of better climate.

Right now (I'm South of Valencia) the days are sunny and in the late 60's. Nights get a bit cooler.

But we do have rainy weather here, sometimes for days on end.

irlanda · #4 (**permalink**) 14th November 2007, 11:19 PM

thanks guys for your help-i know it would be initially hard over there as i have noone to go over with- my father was saying there will be no jobs over there at this time of year! i dont no what to do-i dont want to leave all my family and friends buts its like its the only way my life will start moving again! for the last two christmas i have gone down to malaga with my mates for some sun and by the end of the week i am starting to feel normal again-it would be interesting to find someone on this who had been in the same situation-thanks again

golddust · #5 (**permalink**) 15th November 2007, 12:14 PM

Well, instead of looking for jobs, which could be difficult, you could sign up for some classes? Maybe study abroad for year to compliment your studies?

Have you tried that light therapy? don't know what it's called exactly but I think it's where they put you in a room with an intense type of light that mimics natural light?

Stravinsky · #6 (**permalink**) 15th November 2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irlanda

thanks guys for your help-i know it would be initially hard over there as i have noone to go over with- my father was saying there will be no jobs over there at this time of year! i dont no what to do-i dont want to leave all my family and friends buts its like its the only way my life will start moving again! for the last two christmas i have gone down to malaga with my mates for some sun and by the end of the week i am starting to feel normal again-it would be interesting to find someone on this who had been in the same situation-thanks again

I've got to be honest with you here, you soiund like a very family orientated person. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, but picture the scenario.

You move to Spain, and its sunny ...... which you like. You have no job, and you have no friends over here. You have to start from square one by making new friends and finding a job without knowing the language in the middle of winter. I'll give you an example ...... Gandia Playa is usually buzzing with people in summer, loads of bars and restaurants, people promenading, cycling & jogging. Last night I went there for a walk. Most of the restaurants and bars were closed, just a handful open and hardly anyone was in them. There were few people about. So if you want to get a job, ask yourself where all the people who normally work in all these bars and restaurants are.

If you're looking for that kind of work then you have to be looking at somewhere like Benidorm where its a bit more of a year round resort, although you will find that the average age there during the winter is around 70.

Just dont do something that you might regret when there might be answers to your problem like golddust suggested which would keep you with your friends and family

Burriana Babs · #7 (**permalink**) 25th November 2007, 12:24 PM

Well Gold dust maybe you should move to southern Spain, I know the Costa del Sol reminds me a lot of the southwestern states, particularly California. But I do have to say a lot better and a slower way of life in the Costa that is for sure. I could never live in northern Spain. Come on down we are great down here.

Stravinsky · #8 (**permalink**) 25th November 2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burriana Babs

Well Gold dust maybe you should move to southern Spain, I know the Costa del Sol reminds me a lot of the southwestern states, particularly California. But I do have to say a lot better and a slower way of life in the Costa that is for sure. I could never live in northern Spain. Come on down we are great down here.

He is moving to Southern Spain Babs