Seasonal affective disorder and light therapy

[bacarver]

Has anyone used light treatment for SAD? Do the lights really work to lift depression? How much should one spend on a light?
Thanks - Barb

[OakLeaf]

I was just reading that Vit. D supplementation supposedly works even better than the lights. It's certainly less expensive to try.

[Kalidurga]

There was a pretty in-depth discussion of this last year: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=sadd

[badger]

interesting you mention it, I'm on day 2 of my SAD light therapy experiment.

I went to IKEA and bought a $30 desk lamp, and got myself a full spectrum lightbulb.

I have the lamp sitting on a filing cabinet that abuts my "cubicle", and it's currently shining down on my workspace.

I'm not expecting miracles, but it does give a nice, bright, cheery light. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks/months if it's working.

[solobiker]

One of my co-workers husband used one last year and according to her it helped him.

[owlice]

I found that going to the Bahamas in January was very helpful in relieving SAD. I wish I were kidding about this, but I'm not; I felt sooo much better the rest of that winter after that trip, which was just a long weekend.

So: Get your doctor to prescribe a long weekend in the Bahamas! It works!

Thanks for the link for the full-spectrum light bulb.

[michelem]

There was a pretty in-depth discussion of this last year: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=sadd

Yes, as I said last year, nothing short of a miracle. Well worth it.

Here's a link with some very good info on how to choose the light that is right for you:

http://www.claorg.org/

Mine is 10,000 lux. I also pop 2000 IU of vitamin d per day. I was woefully deficient, but now in the low-normal range.

[VeloVT]

has anyone tried the newer blue light lightboxes?

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-goLITE...=14LP8G51AU0BV

[firenze11]

has anyone tried the newer blue light lightboxes?

I have. I got one last year after really struggling with fatigue for the past few years, especially in winter. It seems to work a for me. It's not magic, but it helps a bit. There's some chatter about blue lights being harmful to your eyes, but I'm not really sure.

Although, I just found out my TSH is high so my fatigue might be due to an underlying thyroid problem.

[NbyNW]

has anyone tried the newer blue light lightboxes?

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-goLITE...=14LP8G51AU0BV

I have a goLite by Apollo Health that I got at Costco a couple of seasons ago. Perhaps it's an older version of the one you pasted?

I find it's really effective. Better than coffee in terms of getting going in the morning. My one complaint is that it has a high-pitched electrical hiss when it's plugged in, and it has to be plugged in for the automatic timer to work, say if I want it to turn on automatically 15 minutes before I need to haul myself out of bed. So I just run it battery mode and have the light nearby on the table when I'm having my morning coffee & checking the news.

The other thing that really helps me is finding some way to stay moderately active and fit during the winter months. I've been pretty good at staying on a schedule with Pilates. This year I'm hoping to add in some swimming.

That, and sometimes accepting that I'm going to have an off week every now and then.

[Lex87]

I have used SAD light therapy for a few years now. I find it definitely helps! I also take Vitamin D and Magnesium supplements. With the vitamin D you have to make sure to get D3 as that's the one that works the best (it's not a brand)
I also just by the bulb and use a lamp bu there are special lamps you can buy. Depending on where you live you may get enough vitamin D from the sun but most places don't in the winter fall months. so it's best to supplement.

Good luck!!
Hope this helps
Lexy