S.A.D?

Red_34 · November 29, 2005, 8:45pm

I was wondering how many of you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and if you do suffer from this have you tried light therapy? Does it work?

james_macdonald · November 30, 2005, 12:20am

I have a friend who swears by it but you have to follow the instructions for maximum benefit
J

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Red_34 · November 30, 2005, 3:23am

I have done the assessment on the Apollo light website and it's possibly that I have moderate SAD but I don't want to go out and spend over $200 for a light if it's not going to work. This assessment also stated the time and how long I would benefit from the light.

Thanks james for the reply, how long has your friend been using this light and did he notice an immediate improvement?

**Sherry**
Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1992
Meds currently taking: Colazal 750mgs-9 daily
Uc status: Remission (1yr but not sure if much longer)
Diagnosed with Secondary Reynaulds Syndrome in 2004
Meds currently taking: Niacin 650mgs-1 daily
SRS status: Very active.....give me 100 degree weather and I'll be happy!!!!!
Please donate to help Healingwell continue to help others like yourself!
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smithmb · November 30, 2005, 3:44am

I deal with depression year-round, but I definitely feel worse in the winter. I bought one of those full-spectrum lights, but I don't use it much, so I can't say how effective it is. (I should start using it regularly. My doctor keeps telling me to.) I can say I've seen a bunch of scientific studies that show the lights help a lot of people, so it's not just some phony gimmick.

james_macdonald · November 30, 2005, 1:29pm

Red ,I'll check with him and find out more for you ..and let you know!!

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Red_34 · November 30, 2005, 1:49pm

I've been struggling with depression all year around too but I too notice that it's worse in the fall/winter months. I have been taking St. Johns Wart which has helped immensely but yesterday was absolutely horrible, I couldn't stop crying and I felt so sad and alone.

SAD has been medically recognized in the early 90's (I believe) as an actual disorder and the light therapy has been out for a while too. They claim to say that it has helped many people but I just wanted a first hand account that it actually works before I went and spent the money.

So if you could ask your friend James, I would highly appreciate it! :) Thank you

**Sherry**
Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1992
Meds currently taking: Colazal 750mgs-9 daily
Uc status: Remission (1yr but not sure if much longer)
Diagnosed with Secondary Reynaulds Syndrome in 2004
Meds currently taking: Niacin 650mgs-1 daily
SRS status: Very active.....give me 100 degree weather and I'll be happy!!!!!
Please donate to help Healingwell continue to help others like yourself!
http://www.healingwell.com/donate

carla508 · November 30, 2005, 1:59pm

I, too, suffer from SAD. What i do is, which is not all that healthy anyway, but it works, is go to a tanning bed. Once a week. You don't have to stay in there long maybe 10 minutes. It works. But i know they do sell special light bulbs for the "winter blues" My mom got me some from a lamp store where i live. they were about $4 each but it seems to help.Or better yet, go volunteer at a nursing home once a week, that will put a smile on some of their faces that will brighten your life up!! coolie508@aol.com

james_macdonald · November 30, 2005, 3:58pm

He told me that it works for him,his brother uses it also and said it works for him...but that is just them two guys and I can only pass on what they told me as I have never tried it ..Hope this helps you out
J

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

baileyputter · November 30, 2005, 7:00pm

Hey all - I saw the posts on SAD and thought I'd toss in my two cents.

I'm just making the arrangements to get my own SAD light, but I bought a dawn simulator last year and completely swear by it. It did wonders for me - helped me reset my internal clock so I wasn't in such a funk in the morning. Otherwise I was never able to get out of bed on time and I was constantly late for work. It doesn't function the same as a standard sad light for light therapy, but did make a significant improvement for me. I'm usually awake long before the audible alarm sounds and I feel sharp and alert when I do wake up.

I've heard some doctors and medical offices can loan people SAD lights on a trial basis to see if it will help, rather than shell out the big bucks right off. I live waaaaaay up North in a little town, and we actually have a SAD light at the library people can go and use while they're there - I'm told its popular. The biggest thing is to use it regularly and consistently as directed by your doctor - they can usually "prescribe" a time schedule for when and how long to use it to gain the biggest benefit. A lot of insurance will also consider covering a portion of the purchase of a SAD lamp since they've been proven effective and often reduce the need for prescription medication which is far more costly than a single purchase. Just have your doc write a prescription for light and it will usually work, otherwise they may request a brief letter explaining the benefits of the therapy and the advantage over other treatment.

Good luck to all with these long days,

Putter