Posted by klein on April 26, 2014, at 2:56:44
In reply to Springtime Depression Tree Pollen Allergies, posted by jrbecker76 on April 25, 2014, at 22:37:29
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> This topic doesnt belong here in Babble as it isnt med related, but neither does it neatly fit into other boards' topics either (perhaps it should have been posted on Social), however, Im hoping this might be an important enough of an issue to be able to discuss here.
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> For years, mid to late Spring has always been my worst time of year. Winters are long and hard here in Chicago and the lack of sunlight and cold climate definitely impacts my mood and functioning. However, the winter pales in comparison to what I have waiting for me every April and May. My usual melancholic depression turns more anxious and dysphoric, my energy is sapped to the level of exhaustion, and my thoughts can often times even trend towards considering self-harm. In recent years, I began finally picking up on this pattern. After reading more about the interplays of depression and pollen allergies, I began tracking the correlation between daily tree pollen counts and my mood. Sure enough, Ive found a very strong positive association between worsening mood and a higher tree pollen count. On days when there is a rain and the pollen count is diminished, my mood is substantially better. By around early June, Im usually on the upswing again, and in recent years Ive tracked this remission and have correlated it with waning tree pollen activity in my area.
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> Whats unusual is that I dont always show a lot of typical signs of allergic rhinitis such as nasal congestion during these periods. In terms of treatment, Claritin and Zyrtec actually make me irritable and worsen my mood on their own, but Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) does seem to help take the extra edge of the depressive symptoms. Obviously, using a sedating antihistamine daily has its tradeoffs though.
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> Now Im sure some of you are already aware of the current research relating pollen allergies and depression, but if youre not, you might be surprised to know that the peak rates of suicide during the year match the tree pollen season (with a nadir in April and May). Other research finds that bipolar sufferers more than MDD sufferers are prone to pollen's effects on mood. Id thought Id paste some of the related research Ive found on the subject. Id be curious to hear from you all on whether you have noticed similar patterns.
>I most definitely feel for you. Chicago is extreme. This isn't really what you're asking, but I'm a fall/winter person... not for the cold, but because I love shorter days and long nights.
Summertime -hot weather and humidity- absolutely drains all my energy, too oppressive, I feel miserable. And spring is even worse because I dread the coming months. Seasons definitely affect my mood. To top it all off, a few years ago I began suffering from pollen allergies.
Have you tried Vistaril or Atarax (hydroxyzine)? It's a really good choice, it's moderately effective for rhinitis but its main benefit is that it has very good anxiolytic and even mood uplifting properties.
poster:klein
thread:1064786
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140419/msgs/1064797.html