Monty Don health condition explained amid doctor's warning

Monty Don has previously shared his experiences
-Credit: (Image: Brentwood Gazette)


A doctor is sharing insights on how to boost your mood, especially for those struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly known as 'winter depression'. This condition is characterised by a decline in mood and an increased need for sleep during the colder, darker months.

Celebrity gardener Monty Don, 69, has openly discussed his own severe depression episodes, which at one point led to his wife Sarah threatening to leave him if he didn't seek help, reports The Mirror.

Speaking on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast last year, Monty disclosed: "I was long ago diagnosed with SAD there's no question about it, that November and December are always the worst time for me I can't bear them."

He confessed that "It's a lot to do with the greyness, the lack of light and the general sense of the world just pressing in on you and no energy."

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Reflecting on his wife's response to his most challenging times, he shared: "Sarah said to me, 'Look, I just can't take any longer your moods and your black depression, you've got to do something about it because if you don't, I can't live with you I'll take the children and I'll go'."

Following advice from a healthcare professional, Monty started taking anti-depressants. He eventually transitioned off the medication and began using a light box to help manage the seasonal changes. Monty attributes his positive mood to gardening, as well as spending quality time with his family and dogs. As the days grow shorter and colder, Dr Dawn Harper stresses the importance of getting as much daylight as possible.

She also encourages regular exercise and taking Vitamin D supplements to maintain motivation throughout the winter months. For those who need an additional lift, Dr Harper recommends Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to boost serotonin levels.

However, she warns that these can take several weeks to kick in, so it's advisable to speak to your doctor sooner rather than later. "Keep in mind that we typically ask you to use them for six months, so you'll need to continue taking them until Spring arrives", she added.

If going outdoors isn't an option, Dr Harper suggests sitting in front of a lamp for 30 to 60 minutes each morning. "These have been proven to help regulate the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and enhance mood and energy levels," she informed Platinum Magazine. "For optimal results, they should be used daily from autumn through spring."

While it's essential to keep your eyes open to gain the benefits, avoid looking directly into the lamp. Instead, many of her patients sit in front of the lamp while eating breakfast or reading, the doctor explains.