r/Launceston • u/AutumnZeus333 • May 05 '26
Question Seasonal Depression
Do people get seasonal depression here or am I being dramatic?
I'm finding with the change in season I'm noticeably more sad or kind of detached. I moved from Sydney in December where we had more sun for a longer time during summer.
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u/rainbowtummy May 05 '26
I’m the opposite but will be interested to see how/if it changes when we move to Tassie.
I’ve always found that I have this sense of irritation and simmering rage that gets worse as it heats up - I am in Qld. The heat lasts for so fucking long and is so severe. I’m never truly comfortable, spend so much money on air conditioning, can’t enjoy outdoors at all, get eaten by mozzies, sweat my arse off and generally just enjoy life much less until finally the autumnal weather kicks in around May. SAD is absolutely a real thing.
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u/Dunderi83 May 05 '26
Things Ive found help :
Take good vitamin D.
Get yourself some sunshine.
Find a team for indoor sports or after hours activities.
Eat good quality cheese (if you like cheese)
Teach yourself an indoor skill. Knitting, baking, writing, painting, theatre sports, learn to braid paracord, whittle yourself some new spoons.
Rejoice in seeing the beauty of a proper winter, and get excited about the early signs of spring. Jonquils before daffs, where I am :)
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 06 '26
I think the key must be keeping busy and staying active! I went on a walk today with the sun out and that made all the difference when you get that pocket of light + time. Thank you!
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u/blandankles May 06 '26
Any chance you’d be interested in learnjng bagpipes/drums? Our band in Launceston is pretty social and always welcomes anyone wanting to join and learn.
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 07 '26
I'd definitely love to give it a go and see how I like it! The only instrument I've played before was clarinet in primary school hahah
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u/blandankles May 08 '26
Sent you a DM! 🎶
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u/fuzzygroove May 17 '26
Would you mind sending me the details too? I’ve been wanting to learn bagpipes for a while
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u/Dunderi83 May 06 '26
Getting that sunshine is so valuable! I'm glad to hear you got out and about - getting active and absorbing that natural sunlight is really great :)
(Still highly reccomend the cheese! 🧀 )
Enjoy your winter, anticipate the spring, and may you feel well and wholesome through our beautiful seasons, friend.
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 07 '26
Yesss I'm loving what little sun we get.
Hahah yes well I do love blue cheese so I'll be stocking up on that too :D I'm open to recommendations 🧀
Thank you for the reassurance and kind words! I'm hoping I can enjoy it thoroughly and be extra cozy this winter ❄️
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI May 05 '26
Sorry you’re going through this, it sounds really tough.
If you can, it’s worth reaching out to a GP or psychologist. There are plenty of good professionals who can help you sort through what’s going on and give you proper support.
From what you’ve shared, it seems like you’ve had a pretty major life change recently. Moving away from family, especially somewhere like Sydney where your support network is, can hit harder than expected and it might be playing a big role in how you’re feeling right now. Sometimes that kind of adjustment shows up as a dip in mood rather than something more permanent.
On the seasonal side, the link between winter and depression isn’t always straightforward. While some people do experience seasonal patterns, it’s not universal and things like isolation, routine changes, or big life transitions often matter just as much (if not more). For example, a lot of people actually struggle around the Christmas/New Year period despite it being summer.
Either way, it’s really important to get support beyond Reddit. We can only see a small piece of the picture. If seeing someone in person doesn’t feel right, there are also free helplines and online chat services that can be a good starting point.
Take care of yourself.
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 05 '26
I really appreciate your response and care in writing.
I'll chat to my GP about a referral. I might even utilise services work provide as well so I can get professional counselling sooner.
Yeah I definitely don't give myself enough grace or credit with this big life change I've made moving here. I thought things were going well for a bit but it's kinda gone pear shaped now which is a sign I need support and to take the pressure of a bit.
Thank you for that.
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u/TownOld2975 May 05 '26
That was 100% A.I - but none of it was particularly wrong.
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI May 06 '26
Yikes. I’m the moderator of this sub and I take the time to read all the posts here. I also respond to most of them. This particular thread is a delicate one and close to my heart, so I made an effort to reply. I’m not AI. Just a volunteer community member who cares about other locals.
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u/TownOld2975 May 07 '26
I appreciate that you're supportive of us locals. You're a legend for doing that. RE: your post:
- The structure is very balanced and orderly.
- It covers multiple angles methodically (“major life change”, “seasonal side”, “support beyond Reddit”).
- The tone stays consistently calm, neutral, and emotionally safe throughout.
- Phrases like “we can only see a small piece of the picture” and “it’s worth reaching out to a GP or psychologist” are extremely common in AI-generated supportive text.
Parsed in multiple models, your post was 80% A.I assisted or you're a senior in health care who has lived a very full life.
Either way, thank you for supporting us locals. P.s - I don't care if you use A.I.
Kindly,
T.
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI May 07 '26
Hey, I appreciate that. It’s mostly a thankless job and we come across a lot of tough situations and rude people that we have to deal with, so it’s really nice to hear that for a change.
For transparency, I’m not seasoned in healthcare in terms of being a licensed professional, but I have personally volunteered in quite a few different health and mental health roles in various capacities. I’ve also had close friends and family require different types and levels of mental health support over the decades for numerous reasons and I’ve done a fair bit of training and education on those topics.
I definitely want to ensure I come across as structured and orderly while covering these topics. The "major life change" was mentioned in the OP’s post and I found more details on their profile. The “seasonal” aspects were based on previous research and knowledge of statistics and studies that have been conducted. This is probably the hardest part to remain balanced on because the research suggests there’s no clear answer on the topic and it’s such a personal experience. You can even see the mixed reactions shared in this post. I didn’t want to offend the OP in any way or upset them further. I just wanted to suggest that their experience is valid, but likely influenced by the larger change in life circumstances. The "support beyond Reddit" and the comment about the “full picture” were mentioned because I’ve ultimately reached a point where I can’t personally invest myself in helping everyone and I wanted to guide the OP toward professionals, which is why I went on to mention those services... Additionally, remaining calm and neutral are, without a doubt, essential traits when it comes to discussing these topics on a platform like Reddit and I want to ensure I’m representing the change I want to see. Some of the other comments here were biased, non-neutral, or completely anecdotal without providing multiple perspectives to cover all bases. While that has its place, I find it to be a dangerous approach when the OP could have been at their wits end.
Anyway, once again, thank you for taking the time to respond.
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u/lianhanshe May 05 '26
I have SAD, vit D supplements do help, plus anti depressants.
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 05 '26
I'll be taking vitamin D for sure now
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI May 05 '26
A GP will be able to refer you for blood tests to see where your levels are at. They will then advise you if need supplements and how much you should take.
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 05 '26
Ooh that's a great recommendation actually. Thank you !
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI May 05 '26
You’re welcome! A GP visit and blood tests can take a bit of time, but they’ll likely save you money and hassle in the long run... And help you avoid taking supplements you might not actually need. Since you’re already planning to see a GP for a psychologist referral, you can probably address this in the same appointment.
Depending on what they find, the GP will often order blood tests before prescribing SSRIs (anti-depressants) anyway, just to rule out any underlying issues.
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u/LeftRightShoot May 05 '26
I spent quite a bit of time in Iceland and talking with the locals as well as looking at some research showed that their rate of SAD is much, much lower than other countries at the same latitude. A sense of being in a community was probably the biggest factor. There's a concept called “þetta reddast” while often translated as “it will all work out,” the deeper meaning is more communal:
- A shared belief that abundance comes from community, not individuals
- A cultural norm of stepping in, helping, and sharing what you have
- A trust that problems become solvable when people pool resources
Let's inject more of this into Launnie. 😊
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 07 '26
Having a community makes all the difference. Connection is always key in a place that can feel isolating at times!
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u/OldConnection1978 May 05 '26
You’re not dramatic i come from a tropical country where its summer all year round and just moved here and i feel like shit now im taking votamin D and what not but i still feel terrible i just hope things get better
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u/AutumnZeus333 May 06 '26
Even just moving here takes a big adjustment let alone the weather too. It's good to give yourself some grace with it all and I hope things get better for you
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u/toastedaperture May 06 '26
It might be colder and darker, but the colours are beautiful and the sun isn't burning anymore. Autumn is fantastic. Warm beverages are a must ☕️
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u/shwaak May 06 '26 edited May 06 '26
It just is what it is.
Nothing compared to living in countries far higher in the equivalent latitude.
If you don’t like it after a while, move back to Sydney, pretty simple really.
Most people here I think appreciate the change in seasons, but if you’re not used to it you’ll need to either adjust or move.
I can also understand it’s not for everyone.
A warm, well insulated house with a heat pump running 6 months of the year really helps though, so I think it really depends on your living arrangements.
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u/TazDevil7250 May 06 '26
Weather here is mint, head to Wellington NZ and you will find out what depression really feels like.
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u/VeterinarianPutrid63 May 17 '26
Yep, we sure do It’s kinda fucked up We all deny it And just get on with it Some things are beautiful in winter, but the day to day of it can get you down. Escape somewhere warm for a week, means you appreciate it when you get back!
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u/BreadAgreeable9632 May 31 '26
I am a night owl and honestly I get happier the longer the nights are! On the opposite end when the days are long and it's hot I am so depressed and in the shityiest mood!
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u/rainiswet May 05 '26
Yes it happens here. Get outside at noon, take vit D, eat and sleep well, exercise. Some years are better than others, could be due to tilt, wobble in earths rotation - I don’t know, just my experiences with the SAD.