Hi, I have been reading this forum and the CAD/CALP books and I think this Carb Addict has found her salvation! Your stories have inspired me.
First, my story:
I have had a long struggle with depression (SAD in winter and depression/anxiety the rest of the year), and carb addiction. When I went away for college, I became more depressed in the northern winters and ended up bingeing on carbs- I put on 35 pounds in TWO MONTHS! For as long as I can remember before that, I had been 95-100 pounds (i am Asian and extremely petite, my whole family is) eating normally and healthily and without having to exercise much. My family ate pretty much all home-cooked food; so we were strangers to high carb processed junk. When I went away to college and that kind of food was abundant, I couldn't get enough of it. I became a full fledged Carb Addict. Of course, as my weight skyrocketed, I became more depressed and ate more carbs. I fell asleep in class and felt horrible and sluggish all the time, and was always thinking about sugar. T
That summer, I decided to try Atkins. I felt fabulous and was back to my normal weight within months. However, I was so scared of becoming re-addicted to carbs that I stayed on induction forever. THen I would binge on holidays and go back on induction. Finally I decided to jump into maintenance at 30-40 carbs but I couldn't fight cravings. I still felt deprived of carbs. Well, at higher carbs my weight dropped more, so I decided to gain a couple pounds. I did it the wrong way- a week of eating high carb junk. It felt great while I was eating, but after felt horrid. I went back to induction to get my cravings in check.

NOw that I have gained to a healthier weight, I want to maintain at it, but I don't think I should be on Atkins anymore. I don't want to have to count carbs, deal with CCLMs or what not, and still feel deprived at the end of the day. Even though I am on Wellbutrin and Lexapro, I still suffer from depression and I think Atkins aggravated it. But if I eat them during the day, I feel horrible and all I can think about it sugar. I eat it to medicate myself when I am depressed, it's not a hunger thing at all. I feel that the CAD approach will free me from my addiction, and will let me be able to enjoy eating with my family.

Sorry that was so long, but I had to get that out there! So my question is, for those who have switched, how did you feel when you switched? I also would like to know if any of you SAD/depression sufferers feel better on CAD than regular LC or LF. I love Atkins, but I need more carbs for serotonin, but can't deal with the "balanced" food pyramid WOE. I also need to control my emotional carb bingeing and sugar obsession. Do you think CAD would be a good plan for me to maintain on ? I"m scared of the insulin spike thing. Do you "crash" after your RM? I have more questions but I will save them for later b/c this is already too long LOL. Thanks SOOOO much for taking the time to read this.