For the last week or so, I’ve been feeling kind of sick and although it started off as being sick, I’m fairly certain that’s not what it is now.

As we progress further through the winter season (and, thankfully, closer to spring), I think my ‘sickness’ is actually SAD (seasonal affective disorder – aka Winter Depression, blues, blahs, etc.).  Like many others, I’m just as susceptible to this ‘affliction’ – possibly more so given I lead my life primarily indoors.  As such, the symptoms of being tired/run-down/worn-out are more pronounced.

The other symptoms (such as sore throat and a dry cough), I believe, are from other factors – namely the low humidity levels (roughly 30-40%) and the fact that I’ve been smoking more heavily the last month or so.

Unfortunately, knowing this doesn’t solve much.  It proves that I’m not actually sick with a virus, but the results are similiar enough where lots of liquids and plenty of rest are still in the cards.  Mood swings can be expected as well (although my anti-depressants take care of that, for the most part).

I’m on Cipralex (aka Lexapro in the U.S.) and I have to admit, it does what it’s supposed to quite nicely – at least, for me.  It evens out my moods and how I’m feeling, emotionally speaking.  The drawback is that I don’t really feel mood measures of either end of the spectrum.  For example, I don’t get particularly happy nor sad/upset.  If I do reach either of those extremes, it’s short-lived.  Some might think that’s an awful way to live, but I assure you, had you experienced what my life was like before, you’d sing a different tune.  Needless to say, it’s a good thing.   There are side-effects, however.  I won’t get into the one that affects me as it’s rather personal.  (That, into and of itself, should give you an idea.)