Cheaper light therapy for SAD sufferers

superhoop

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognised condition where sufferers experience symptoms of depression during the winter months.

This is thought to be linked to changes in brain chemistry caused by lack of exposure to sunlight.

A recognised treatment is light therapy, where sufferers sit for a set period by a strong fluorescent lamp which 'replaces' the light lost during the darker months.

'Light boxes' can cost in excess of £100-£150.

However, as a sufferer myself, my consultant has recommended a product from the online store Tchibo. Called the well-being lamp, it sells for just £39.90 + £3.95 p&p. See below for more details:

http://!!!!!!.com/4zhnk

The minimum recommended 'lux', that is stength of light, rating for this therapy is 2500. The Tchibo lamp is rated at 7000 lux. Light therapy is suggested to work in a high proportion of cases.

I am going to give this a go. Thought this might help others.

However, PLEASE do not buy this product unless you have been professionally diagnosed with SAD.

Best wishes

Steve

16011996

thanks for this, i suffer from sad every year, however was only diagnosed 2 years ago. i already have a light box, but i will forward the details on to a friend who was diagnosed late last winter.

thanks again

160.

ashmit

However, PLEASE do not buy this product unless you have been professionally diagnosed with SAD.

I was wondering why this is? Full spectrum light is good for everyone, not just SAD sufferers - helps reduce eyestrain and even those who don't suffer from SAD can benefit from it (although I have nothing to back this up - just remembered magazine articles!).

My nanna suffers from SAD and I think there is a genetic component, but I haven't bothered to get myself diagnosed as it is only mild in my case.

Look forward to reading your reply.

superhoop

Hi ashmit:

All it was that I didn't want to encourage people to buy this if it is something they have no need for.

Fully take your point - but people can suffer from depression for a number of different reasons, SAD is just one.

When you are depressed, it is tempting to jump at something which may appear a 'quick fix'. Clearly, light therapy is a treatment for only one sort of depression, even if SAD is fairly common.

Everyone who suspects they may be depressed for whatever reason should seek help, whether from your GP, friends, family, whatever.

£45 is a lot of money for some people - I wanted people to be sure that SAD is a root cause of their condition before laying out the cash.

I hope this clears things up.

Steve

ashmit

Thanks superhoop - I only just saw your reply. That explains it

Ted_Hutchinson

Using light therapy at the wrong time of day could make your depression in the mornings worse. Morning use is best. Using it later in the day resets your body clock by pushing it back using light early brings it forward.

I haven't checked recently but when I was using light therapy research was published showing using Hypericum St Johns Wort was as effective as light treatment for most mildly depressed people. However their are concerns about using this supplement for people on Warfarin so you need to check before using.

It is the intensity of the light rather than it being full spectrum which affects the body clock so you could try just using a low energy tube close up to see if you find any improvement before committing to one of these lightboxes.

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