My understanding is that the more paler skin pigmentation allows us Scandinavians to absorb more vitamin D from the minimal sunlight we get at our geographic location than a darker pigmentation would.

I spent a couple of years in West Virginia not too long ago. I couldn't believe it but during the winter there was a stretch of over 90 days where we only saw the sunlight a couple of times. I was bouncing off the wall and ultimately had to get out of there because I felt like I was losing it.

Maybe I did and just don't realize it?

What is S.A.D?

Seasonal affective disorder, appropriately referred to by the acronym "S.A.D", is a form of depression that occurs only during certain periods of the year. In some cases, an existing depression may become more severe during certain times of year. By far the most common and recognized form of seasonal affective disorder is "winter depression". This is characterized by recurrent episodes of depressed mood, over-sleeping or the urge to "hibernate", cravings for carbohydrate rich foods, and associated overeating and weight gain. Symptoms typically begin to appear in September and don't abate until spring comes around at the end of March or beginning of April.

The cause or causes of SAD are not as clear cut as it may seem. Although it would appear to be a direct result of lack of sunlight in winter months, the exact mechanism by which this causes depressive symptoms has yet to be determined.

You were probably experiencing SAD.




The first SAD studies were originally conducted in Finland, and if I recall correctly they were brought on by studies into why Finland is one of the leading nations in annual suicides year in and year out even though according to international barometers Finland is one of the best countries for a person to live in.

At times during the winter months the sun may show itself for about an hour or hour and a half - if there isn't any cloud cover - and that brief period of sunlight is usually spend at work or at school etc, so people don't really see the sun except maybe through a window. It can be very depressing and if there's no snow covering the ground: it's like living inside of a sack.
The reverse side of it is that during the summer there's a period when the sun never sets, so it's light outside 24/7. That's when Finns drink themselves stupid and drown themselves in the almost 200.000 lakes we have. So, maybe the sunlight isn't the only reason for us being so self-destructive.


I just realized that I steered this thread about beautiful women into a discussion about depression and suicides... there's definitely something wrong with me!

Thanks...I think you are right-on about that.

Fortunately, I have returned to my roots on the MS Gulf Coast. All of my anxieties and depressions have gone away...and I'm gaining a little weight. Probably from all the Barq's in the bottle (has to be ice cold to be good) and roast beef and shrimp (one of the hardest decisions in the world to make) po-boys from Li'l Ray's.

Also, the depression could've just been caused by the most obvious fact: you were in West Virginia!

Couldn't help it... something that has stuck with me since the Virginia years.