Sorry you might get a few posts like this, I am very uneducated about ADD and also very very curious so I ask a lot of questions.

I have been reading through a few posts, more like skimming, that are already in here and I have seen mentioned several times that around the winter time is when everyone has the most trouble with ADD. Is that true and why is that? Is it normal to have symptoms really bad at one time, and then almost seem to disapear(but of course they never will) and not cause as much trouble? If I think back, I have always had the most trouble in December and January, and then maybe June(probably June because of school's end). How about the rest of you?

I think it related back to Mood (maybe in some cases SAD), and I suppose to some extent comfort. Self-esteem issues are an integral part of ADD, the product of our inadaquacies and inneptiude at seemingly simple activities. And natually when we're feeling meh, and uncomfortable, there's going to be more of a cumulative effect, we're not going to be as willing to shrug things off as we would be in the summer.

That's my theory anyway :)

Most people say "the weather". You must be right. I love rain though!

I haven't really noticed. :D <-- ADD humor.

Seriously, though, I do feel much more productive when the weather is nice outside and the days are longer. I haven't really done a mood chart, so I can't claim SAD in my case, but it could be something similar.

I think the line up of the planets at that time of the year (JUNE) are in a place that gives us all a burst of energy rejuvenateing everything. We all the planet and everything living on it, breath as one, I get a definent "high" when I'm in the woods. I just love it I feel I belong there. I also have a hard time in Dec. and Jan. My Moon was in Sag. when I was born and the moon sign is your inner self. I do tend to with draw into myself then.Hmm

It sounds like SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder) to me. However, I agree with the above, I also feel more productive and happier when its nice out and the sun is shinning.

Sunlight affects people's dopamine levels. Therefore less light in winter means lower dopamine levels which would also affect ADDers whether or not they had SAD.

Sunlight affects people's dopamine levels. Therefore less light in winter means lower dopamine levels which would also affect ADDers whether or not they had SAD.

Agreed! This is one part of it.
Also, consider that EVERY form of ADD is suppose to present fewer symptoms with increased exercise. And what happens in the winter? Less physical activity.

If you want to prove me wrong hop on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day without changing anything else in your life.
If you come back in 30 days and tell me you still feel like winter is giving you the blues.... I'll take back every word of what I said! :D

P.S. If you already treadmill for 30 minutes a day...and still have this question...send somebody to kick my butt, please!

Yes, if people are able to exercise and can afford a treadmill/gym membership. Still, it isn't just exercise that helps. Exercising outdoors is the best.

This sort of makes me wonder if lightboxes would help people with ADD. Exercising indoors in front of a light box would sort of simulate summer.

People should do the opposite of what they instinctively want to do this time of year. They may want to stay in bed but instead they should get up early to catch the sun. They may want to eat a lot of starchy food, but instead they should cut back to keep their insulin levels stable. They may get blue and want to isolate from people and cut back social activities, but instead they should remember that fun, exercise, and social activities boost dopamine.

Dancing is good too because you energize both body and spirit. Taking a dance class or just dancing around the livingroom would probably benefit all of us.

Also, there is this: Sitting in front of the computer may not be good for you exercise-wise, but you are staring at the bright light of your computer screen while you do.

Agreed! This is one part of it.
Also, consider that EVERY form of ADD is suppose to present fewer symptoms with increased exercise. And what happens in the winter? Less physical activity.

If you want to prove me wrong hop on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day without changing anything else in your life.
If you come back in 30 days and tell me you still feel like winter is giving you the blues.... I'll take back every word of what I said! :D

P.S. If you already treadmill for 30 minutes a day...and still have this question...send somebody to kick my butt, please!

Well...I must have REALLY BAD ADD then because I train for 60-90 minutes 6 days a week LOL

I know that I absolutely hate winter. We had such hostile weather during the last six days, and driving on ice covered roads, or in three feet of slush definitely is adding to my anxiety. I'm constantly running up and down three flights of stairs daily at work, so excercise isn't a problem. I just hate all the added effort that is involved with winter !

Well...I must have REALLY BAD ADD then because I train for 60-90 minutes 6 days a week LOL

Struggling, I'd agree with you! It sounds like you're hyperfocusing on training....take some time off and eat a couple of Krispy Kreme donuts! :rolleyes:

I've known for years that I'm very sensitive to light. I always feel more alert, energetic and happier on days when there is bright sunlight.

I work out at a gym about 5 days a week for at least an hour, I don't mean half-hearted pedaling on an exercise bike while watching TV, either. The only time I turly feel good is the 2-3 hours after a good workout.

I know where all of you are coming from. It does have something to do with sunlight. Did you know that when the natural sunlight hits the back of your eyelids in the morning it sends a message to your brain to produce some chemical that wakes you up. It's melatonin or something. I would say this time of year messes with my Circadian Rhythms or my ebb and flow. But look on the bright side.....literally, the days are again getting longer. Soon it will be spring. I long for spring. To hear the birds chirp again at dawn and the smell of the earth thawing, it's like heaven. I am reawakened during the spring time. I think it's the happiest time of the year for me. Especially that first day when it hits 50 degrees and you know spring is here.

Struggling, I'd agree with you! It sounds like you're hyperfocusing on training....take some time off and eat a couple of Krispy Kreme donuts! :rolleyes:
Krispy Kreme donuts. LOL! What r ya trying ta do? Kill her?

I think I'll go have some cornbread. With butter!

Merry Christmas everyone. And remember that the shortest day of the year is behind us!