Anxiety worsens with weather changes.

[AsGoodAsItGets]

How many of you have experienced severe anxiety with the changes in the weather? I have been dealing with anxiety on a pretty extreme scale for a while now and I notice when it is warmer outside, I feel better. When it gets cold, I get worse. Like really worse very quickly.

A cold front blew in last night and I went to bed in a good mood, feeling well, and this morning woke up just riddled with anxiety badly. Ruminating thoughts, severe anxiety, shaking, etc. This has been a common theme the past few years and it’s getting worse as time goes on.

 

[MATD]

I can totally relate. I think many people can, regardless of whether they have anxiety or not. I hope Jonathan replies here, I feel he may be able to give a good explanation of how we are affected by the weather. I sort of know why but I can’t put it into coherent words. I do know it affects our moods to a certain extent, but I don’t think it is causing your immediate problem. Anxiety will behave as it wants to, regardless of the weather. You would benefit greatly from Dr Weeks acceptance method for anxiety. Consider giving it a try. I know it works. It’s not a quick fix, it requires focus, persistence and patience, nothing more. What do you have to lose?

 

[suzzeeb]

Actually I do think the weather by itself can bring on and definitely make anxiety/depression symptoms worse. I'm sure there is some science behind this, which is why a lot of people swear by light therapy during the winter months. I have a definite worsening of symptoms and most of my worst bouts with anxiety started in the winter months, and even if it continues through the summer, it is much easier to deal with. I honestly don't believe anyone knows exactly how anxiety works. Everyone has their theory but if it were that easy to figure out and fix a lot more people would not deal with it their entire lives. There are things that can help but no cure. I saw a psychologist with 40 years experience and very knowledgeable and several other therapists over the years, and they all had different ideas and theories, but it is impossible to know exactly how the brain works. Most people with anxiety are very sensitive and the smallest thing can bring it on such as changes in weather, life changes, stress, and who knows what else.

 

[MATD]

Actually I do think the weather by itself can bring on and definitely make anxiety/depression symptoms worse. I'm sure there is some science behind this, which is why a lot of people swear by light therapy during the winter months. I have a definite worsening of symptoms and most of my worst bouts with anxiety started in the winter months, and even if it continues through the summer, it is much easier to deal with. I honestly don't believe anyone knows exactly how anxiety works. Everyone has their theory but if it were that easy to figure out and fix a lot more people would not deal with it their entire lives. There are things that can help but no cure. I saw a psychologist with 40 years experience and very knowledgeable and several other therapists over the years, and they all had different ideas and theories, but it is impossible to know exactly how the brain works. Most people with anxiety are very sensitive and the smallest thing can bring it on such as changes in weather, life changes, stress, and who knows what else.

Here is what I base my own theory on, when I get up in the morning and look outside, if it isn’t sunny and pleasantly warm, my thoughts automatically go to “ crap! No sunshine, it’s going to be a miserable day!” When a storm approaches, I automatically start thinking about worse case scenarios and my emotions then get involved.
I really don’t think it is so much the weather, but our automatic conditioned thoughts about it. All I ask is for anyone to think about it, how do you “react”? Can we change our reaction? I think so. Good topic for debate by the way!

 

[suzzeeb]

Here is what I base my own theory on, when I get up in the morning and look outside, if it isn’t sunny and pleasantly warm, my thoughts automatically go to “ crap! No sunshine, it’s going to be a miserable day!” When a storm approaches, I automatically start thinking about worse case scenarios and my emotions then get involved.
I really don’t think it is so much the weather, but our automatic conditioned thoughts about it. All I ask is for anyone to think about it, how do you “react”? Can we change our reaction? I think so. Good topic for debate by the way!

I agree it is not the weather itself that causes the anxiety but just the gloominess and heavy darkness that affects how we see things. I guess I'm just not sure we can totally stop our feelings about certain things. When I try to change my reaction, it's fake. I still feel the way I feel.

 

[Cuchculan]

Try live in Ireland were you would be lucky to see two weeks of sunshine a year. Lot of depressed people over here. Highest male suicide rate in the EU. I know there is such thing as SAD. Mood changes with the seasons. That happens with a lot of people. I hate Winter. Wish it could be Summer all year round. Though an Irish Summer could simply mean the rain is warmer.

 

[MATD]

Try live in Ireland were you would be lucky to see two weeks of sunshine a year. Lot of depressed people over here. Highest male suicide rate in the EU. I know there is such thing as SAD. Mood changes with the seasons. That happens with a lot of people. I hate Winter. Wish it could be Summer all year round. Though an Irish Summer could simply mean the rain is warmer.

That would have to be hard to deal with without the right mental attitude. I’m not real familiar with the weather there, but from what I’ve learned, it does rain a lot. Is this correct? I’ve always lived in an area in the US where we get the true four seasons of the year, with a lot of sunshine, even in winter. However, the winter sunshine can be deceiving as the sun can be shining and still be well below freezing. I can’t imagine not having sunshine. I can see why the suicide rate would be so high. Are there programs for the public to help deal with this situation? I have read about certain places that provide the population with d vitamins due to lack of sunshine and being deficient in vit d. Great info by the way. Consider me a little more informed.

 

[Cuchculan]

Each year we have a thing called ' darkness into light '. The puvlic get up very early on a Winter's morning and all gather together to watch the sun, if it is clear, rise. Is to raise awareness of the suicides in Ireland. I don't think they should still need to raise awareness of what is happening. Has been going on for so long. Is a big issue. i don't think there is enough done for it. At government level. You have private groups who do their best. Just normal people who come forward to try and help out. Think we all know somebody who has committed suicide. Small country here. I know 3 who have done it. Fact that it is still happening a lot shows there is still not enough been done. Vitamin D would probably be the main one a lot of people would be low on. As you get that one from the sun. Can ask your doctor for it. Might need bloods done to prove you need it. That you would have to pay for. Is about 70 Euro. Close on 70 Dollars. So if you can afford it, have the bloods done and then get any vitamins you might need.

 

[MATD]

Each year we have a thing called ' darkness into light '. The puvlic get up very early on a Winter's morning and all gather together to watch the sun, if it is clear, rise. Is to raise awareness of the suicides in Ireland. I don't think they should still need to raise awareness of what is happening. Has been going on for so long. Is a big issue. i don't think there is enough done for it. At government level. You have private groups who do their best. Just normal people who come forward to try and help out. Think we all know somebody who has committed suicide. Small country here. I know 3 who have done it. Fact that it is still happening a lot shows there is still not enough been done. Vitamin D would probably be the main one a lot of people would be low on. As you get that one from the sun. Can ask your doctor for it. Might need bloods done to prove you need it. That you would have to pay for. Is about 70 Euro. Close on 70 Dollars. So if you can afford it, have the bloods done and then get any vitamins you might need.

What about any mental health organizations? As it appears to be a phenomenon of natural elements, one would think the govt would have more of a hand in developing programs designed to address this situation. I don’t know how your govt operates or how vitamins and other diet supplements are handled. Here in the US we can purchase vitamin supplements without blood work or a doctors prescription. And they are cheap. We also have many mental health orgs that take patients on a sliding fee scale depending on income. We also have a Medicaid health insurance plan for those who are disabled or have children and are on a very low income. One would think that given the natural circumstances, weather related lack of sunshine, it would be considered more of a health emergency/top priority of govt. This is a disturbing situation and more could be done, in my own opinion.

 

[Jonathan123]

We are creatures of the Earth. We have evolved within the environment of this planet and, by and large, have managed to survive all the pains and upsets that occur. SAD is a really nasty complaint if it become chronic. As humans we run down with the seasons, or so I have found. This may well go back to our caveman ancestors who had to more or less hibernate in winter because of the lack of food.
They celebrated the winter solstice ('the standing of the sun') because it was a turning point in their lives when hope came that a new year had begun, a fresh start. We can take this symbol within ourselves because in anxiety it is just that that is required. a new start.
Also, and I believe this is more important than we realise. Pressure! Our barometers are set to show what the atmospheric pressure is like. Is it possible that our bodies also respond to that pressure? I found that when the pressure was high in an anticyclone I got depressed. When it was low I felt better, but that may be me reacting psychologically to a false belief, but it's worth thinking about.
But once again, and at the risk of boring the pants off everyone, acceptance is still there. If we accept that there are things we can't change such as the weather, then we may be on the road to recover. Lack of acceptance and the constant battle that goes on in our minds does not help one bit. Trying to control everything that happens to us is not only frustrating but does not help anxiety.
Acceptance is about giving up trying. NOT giving in. oh no! By doing nothing but acceptance we gain control of our circumstances.
Buddhist say that not reacting is the best possible action. A paradox maybe, but true. We never act! We re-act according to our programming in life. Action is always spontaneous and never has any thought behind it. A hero will have acted without thought in a purely spontaneous way, but after on reflection may feel anxiety. Had he/she thought about what they were doing and the possible consequences, they may well not have done it. Reaction is all the OMG's and the 'what ifs?' Acceptance is 'Oh well, here you are again, but this time I am not going to fight or struggle with you so do your worse.

Ireland may have lots of rain, but look at the beauty that rain gives. Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries.

 

[Cuchculan]

Mental health services in Ireland are brutal. You want good treatment you have to pay out big money for it. What is free, and government backed, is not worth going near. Might queue up for 2 hours and been seen for 2 minutes. Lot of people simply don't bother with it. Might try it once or twice and see how bad it is. They want you in and out as quickly as possible. As for more serious aspects, like suicide? Odd that you have to prove you are a threat to either yourself or others. Good luck with that one. If you have never actually done anything, they will say you are not to threat to anybody. Thus refuse you the treatment you might need. Will say it can be the same in other countries too. Not just here in Ireland.

Lot of nice places here in Ireland, as said above. If you don't mind the rain.

 

[Nutmeg]

I find that my anxiety lessens as the temperature drops, and I wonder if it's beause as it gets colder, the less I'm expected to do things with other people, and can hide at home with little need for an excuse. Growing up on a moutain in wales, I am used to and find comfort in solitude and bad weather!

 

[Rana]

My anxiety get worse when it’s nice out too

 

[loggiemod]

We are currently going through a series of storms and strong winds which always ups my anxiety levels. Some years ago the house suffered damage in strong gales and since then as soon as the wind picks up I start getting worried and nervous.

 

[Camden]

This happens to me each spring and autumn. I don’t like sudden changes in general, and the weather is no exception.

Transitioning from autumn to winter is hard for me because the cold air makes me feel physically tense and shaky. The shorter days and weaker sunlight also take a toll on me. It reminds me that the holidays are on the way, which can be stressful. After the holidays are over, I’m stuck in the bitterly cold and gloomy climate until March or April. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is quite common and leads to depression, anxiety, weight gain, fatigue and many other conditions. SAD is brought on my inadequate sunlight and too much time spent indoors. It affects me for sure each winter. January and February are usually my most difficult months because of it.

By the time spring arrives, the first warm days actually put me in a good mood at first. As the warmth transforms into intense summer heat, that affects me negatively. Living in a northern climate, I have low tolerance for hot weather. The heat makes me feel tired and overwhelmed, and it disrupts my sleep. At least I don’t have any SAD symptoms in the summer due to abundant sunlight.

 

[derrickmyles]

How many of you have experienced severe anxiety with the changes in the weather? I have been dealing with anxiety on a pretty extreme scale for a while now and I notice when it is warmer outside, I feel better. When it gets cold, I get worse. Like really worse very quickly.

A cold front blew in last night and I went to bed in a good mood, feeling well, and this morning woke up just riddled with anxiety badly. Ruminating thoughts, severe anxiety, shaking, etc. This has been a common theme the past few years and it’s getting worse as time goes on.

I fall in this category, I do feel anxiety with weather changes conditions. I don't feel comfortable at all. I don't like anything at that time, wanted to be alone or stay away from people as much as I can. But the best thing is it goes away with time /or as the weather changes. So yeah it's a temporary thing.

 

[cheer_mom]

My anxiety and depression is worse when it rains or is cloudy. It has rained all day and I feel so sad. Looking forward to my trip to Florida soon so I can get some natural sunlight to make me feel better!!

 

[Lanchparty7]

I live in a location with very bad winters and this year has been a bad one. My SAD was terrible this winter season, probably one of the worst bouts I have had…my overrall anxiety/depression levels have been super high lately so that could be why. I don’t handle snow well at all or extreme cold or wind. The hot, humid days in the summer also make me kind of uneasy but doesn’t spike the anxiety nearly as bad as the snow does.

We now have a generator in my home and since we seem to have lots of windy days and power outages here on top of the snow and cold…that at least makes me feel a bit better.