Category — Seasonal Affective Disorder

As a Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) sufferer I absolutely loathe the coming of winter. My normal moods and happiness levels tank, and soon I am down in the dumps and depressed for no good reason. A light box, apparently, is the solution for that. However, I travel quite a bit and it is not convenient for me to carry around a full size light box, so when I found the Litebook Elite (a portable light box) I was quite tuned in to the idea.

The Litebook Elite operates on batteries and features L.E.D. lights as opposed to standard bulbs. The L.E.D. lights have apparently been configured to send out the same kind of wavelength as the sun and hence produce the same beneficial results. It uses a rechargeable battery and contains a universal adapter, meaning that I can take it anywhere in the world and charge it- since I’m always traveling to and from Canada, that’s perfect.

Initial Impression

This little wonder cost me £150 and arrived four days after I purchased it. It’s relatively small size surprised me, but apparently these L.E.D.’s are quite intensive, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt. It is recommended that you use the Litebook for 15-40 minutes a day depending on the severity of your S.A.D. I used it for 15 minutes a day.

It is built remarkably well. I’ve dropped it twice in the two weeks that I’ve owned it and each time it just bounced and stayed lit. No sparks, no complaints, not even a scratch. Very impressive. It easily trounced my early concerns that it would break the moment that I looked at it wrong, so I’m confident carrying it around in my briefcase.It seems to have good battery life as well. I get roughly 8-10 uses out of it before I need to recharge it. Plugging it into the wall and letting it charge is also quite stupid proof.

Usage Impression

This little sucker did exactly as it was supposed to, and I found that after my first couple of uses that my “down in the dumps” feeling was effectively removed. I felt a lot more alert and perky, and when I used it first thing in the morning it jolts me awake. No sluggish performance or dragging my butt.

One complaint that I have is that it can be awkward to hold after a while, but if you can place it on something and let it do it’s thing it’s just as effective.

Overall

I’m very impressed with this little unit, and for only £150 it was quite a steal. This is the perfect solution to S.A.D. treatment if you need something portable.

That Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD can be effectively treated with bright lights, like those that are produced by using SAD light therapy boxes and dawn simulators, is well documented and widely accepted.

The general treatment is to have a patient suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder expose his/ her face to around 10,000 lux of bright light once in a while for about half an hour, preferably at the same times each day. Recent studies in this field indicate that it is the intensity of the light that matters more, not the appearance.

But it is also true that these bright light treatment sources are big, fragile, expensive and also consume a lot of electricity.

New research shows that in addition to intensity, the timing of the light exposure is important. It has been found that there is something about the circadian rhythm that is related to seasonal depression. It was later discovered that different wavelengths of light have different effects on the circadian rhythm in humans. Scientists came to know that only blue light suppresses the production of melatonin in the body, the suppression of which tells you it is morning and time to get up and get going. Thus, blue LEDs that emit ultraviolet light are perfect for the purpose of treating SAD.

The usefulness of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a recent trial. Some participants with SAD were exposed to a LED treatment device (from The Litebook Company Ltd., Canada) which delivered 1,350 lux light (with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening, before 8 am. This Litebook treatment device uses LEDs, which research has shown to be more effective in treating SAD if used properly. Other participants in the trial were taken through standard/ placebo treatment. At the end of the trial, the proportion of participants who favorably responded to this new treatment were significantly greater, showing superiority of the LED treatment device.

Thus, all this research indicates that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to light of short wavelength. Light treatment devices that use efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is comparatively concentrated in short wavelengths may actually enable a more effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a type of seasonal depression which affects millions of people every winter between September and April. It is a mood disorder. SAD is brought on by inadequate exposure to sunlight. But even if you or someone you know is affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, there is no reason to despair. The helpful tips given below will easily aid you in driving the blues away and living a healthier, sunnier life.

Exercise can help a lot in getting the blood circulating freely throughout the body. All types of exercises help, whether light or heavy. Exercises can make you feel better immediately.

It is advisable to get adequate exposure to light. Whatever you do, keep yourself surrounded with light at all times. There is no better way to keep away the SAD blues as SAD is caused by lack of light.

Talk to the people you are close to. Meet them, call them or chat with them on the Internet. Confide your feelings in them and they will offer you adequate support to pull you out from the depths of despair.

To share your feeling with like-minded people, you can even consider joining a support group. When you share your experiences with others who are going through the same phases, you are sure to strike a bond and get helpful tips on how to combat this debilitating condition. Call your doctor and ask him/ her to recommend one for you. Or else, you can check on the Internet or in the telephone directory to find a good support group.

Ask your doctor if you need medication. Sometimes, in severe cases, this may be recommended. But these medicines take time to take effect, so you should also try out the other tips to keep your spirits up. Do not take any medication without consulting your doctor.

You can use SAD light therapy boxes or devices like dawn simulators to give yourself exposure to high intensity light from time to time. These have been found to be very effective in treating SAD.Finally, do something you love and enjoy. When you are feeling down in the dumps, that might be hard to do. But you can simply close your eyes and think what you would be doing had it been the middle of summer. Then you can go ahead and do it, if it is practically possible of course. Get up and get going. Do some fun activities. Meet your friends. Jump around. Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. After a while, the grin on your face will be quite genuine!

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is caused by inadequate exposure to sunlight during the winter days. This reduction in light can be countered by using SAD light boxes.

SAD light boxes generally use a number of long fluorescent tubes as the light source. These provide high intensity light. Some hospitals have SAD light therapy rooms to help out patients affected with SAD. You can get a SAD light therapy box for personal use, but most of them are pretty expensive.

Although SAD light boxes use light of high intensity, the electricity usage cost is not great as these are not used for a long time. Most of the SAD light boxes create at least 10,000 lux of light intensity. This may sound bright, but when you consider the light intensity outside on a sunny day, which may be as high as 90,000 lux, you don’t feel that this intensity is too high. At 10,000 lux, you can easily read a book comfortably without hurting your eyes. The typical SAD light box is about two feet long, light in weight and about 10 cm deep.

Earlier people used to think that using full-spectrum bulbs that simulated the natural white light of the sun was better. But today, many scientists are of the opinion that the intensity of the light on a person’s eyes is more important than the appearance of the light. Intensity of light is also dependant on how far your eyes are from the light box. If you compare SAD light boxes from various manufacturers, you should go for the ones that produce 10,000 lux light intensity at a greater distance, as lights of such intensity can be harmful at a close range. A space of about 50 to 60 cm is generally good for the eyes.

Other than SAD light therapy boxes, devices like dawn simulators also help achieve the same effect of combating SAD. They generally come with built-in alarm clocks. About half an hour before your alarm goes off, a dawn simulator gradually begins to brighten the light to simulate the coming up of the sun. Similar to real sunlight, this light will penetrate your eyelids even though you may be sleeping.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, winter is a mood disorder. Most SAD sufferers experience typical psychological health all throughout the year, but experience depressive symptoms during the winter. A similar condition in the summer is known to as Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is often difficult to diagnose. Often it is misunderstood or overlooked. SAD is caused by an imbalance in the brain due to shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. For many, SAD is a serious form of illness, preventing them from carrying out normal activities without continuous medical treatment. For other people, it is not that serious, only causing some discomfort, a condition known as sub-syndromal SAD or winter blues.

Recent studies have indicated that depressed people are generally more susceptible to the differences in temperature. Some researchers have attributed this to lower levels of electrolytes, essential minerals and salts in the body. Potassium is one of these. It has been shown that low levels of potassium can cause severe migraines. Lack of vitamin D and exposure to the sun can bring on SAD. SAD can begin at any age, but is rarely seen during the childhood years. Mostly it occurs in women who are above the age of 35.

Light therapy has been seen to be effective in most of the diagnosed cases of SAD. Light exposure (10 times the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting) from half an hour to several hours per day helps combat SAD. Ordinary light bulbs are not intense enough for this purpose. Whereas in general, the average home or office light delivers an intensity of 200-500 lux, the minimum recommended dose necessary to treat SAD is 2500 lux. Some SAD light therapy boxes deliver up to 10,000 lux. This high intensity can shorten treatment time.If any of the various symptoms of SAD is evidenced, it is highly suggested that the patient or his/ her near and dear ones should seek proper medical care. It might be something as simple as a chemical imbalance in the body that a small change in diet might swiftly fix. Sometimes a trip to sunnier climes or to a spa can do wonders to compensate for the condition. But in a few cases, it could be more severe. But all such cases can now be effectively treated. With the recent advances in science, SAD can be treated very successfully and the patients’ quality of life can thus be greatly improved.

Does the advent of the winter season make you feel uneasy? Does the darkness cast a pall of gloom over you? You are not alone. For many people, winter brings along with it the depressing condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Here we shall find out why this happens and how to combat this problem.

The symptoms of SAD are a tendency to slow down, a reduction in energy, a desire to eat more and an overall feeling of depression. More and more people are now understanding SAD and studies are being made to find the exact causes and the ways to combat it. It has been found out that cold is not the main culprit; SAD is related to the amount of sunlight exposure we get, how much and for how long. SAD is linked to a lack of sunlight reaching our skin, which disturbs the body’s natural rhythms. Because of its connection to sunlight, SAD is much more common in countries that experience short days during winter than in warmer countries closer to the equator.

Many sufferers, especially in the northern countries take recourse to light therapy, i.e. bright boxes and controlled morning simulations, so as to combat SAD. Many people go to sunnier climes to escape this debilitating effect. There are, of course, other less expensive ways to combat this menace.First option is to control your diet. When attacked by SAD, people tend to go for fatty, carbohydrate-rich comfort foods. Some people resort to drinking. But these matters actually make things worse. It’s advisable to go for foods which have sharp flavors and are low in fat. Extra vitamin B also helps.

Another good option is to get some exercise. It need not be heavy exercise, just a simple walk will do. You can also stick to the indoors and avail the facilities of a good gym. A little exercise can go a long way in fighting various kinds of depression.

A tendency during the winter months is to oversleep. But this is actually detrimental. Better to jump out of bed and greet the day. Even a forced smile in the morning may help you to get rid of the blues. Get up early, get out and feel the sun on your face!

Finally, do the things that make you happy. If you are not feeling up to scratch, then think about what you’d be doing had the weather been different. Think it, do it! See your mood lift up by leaps and bounds!

Most of us have a low point during our day. This is a time when we feel down in the dumps in the middle of the day. Our spirits go down and the energy flags. Many of us have been searching for a solution to this mid-day blues phenomenon. Well, help is at hand. The following few tips will have you raring to go whenever you need a pick-me-up.

1. Try to get up early in the morning. This is more in sync with our natural body clock. Also, get a good dose of the natural morning light. There’s nothing like natural light to beat the blues. You can use light-boxes to expose yourself to good amount of light, too. Take a stroll outside and feel the sun on your face.

2. Reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Although this might seem to go against the prevailing wisdom, recent research indicates that reduced amount of carbohydrates and increased amount of protein in the diet helps one feel more energetic. So, daily intake of carbs should be kept below 150 grams.

3. Delay the morning coffee. This might seem totally counter productive to some, but there is sound logic behind it. The effects of morning coffee wear out by the time you really need a jolt of energy, generally late in the afternoon. A little before that time is the perfect time to have that cuppa, as it will tide you over that critical time.

4. Keep regular eating habits. Our body expects its intake of fuel at specific mealtimes. So if you do not provide it the expected source of energy when it requires, you will start feeling a lack of energy. Sticking to regular mealtimes will take care of this problem.

5. Relax regularly. You don’t have to devote hours to relaxation, not even 15 or 30 minutes. You can actually take the relaxation doses in short bursts! And this is more helpful. Find a place where you won’t be disturbed, close your eyes, observe your breath, and think happy thoughts. Do this for 2-3 minutes a few times every day.

6. Take a walk if you are not feeling that great. This will get your blood flowing and also expose you to some natural light.

7. Listen to some music. Your favorite music has amazing restorative powers.

8. Try not using the computer before bedtime. Close exposure to bright light may delay your sleep and make you feel groggy the day after.

Try out these simple suggestions, and feel the surge of energy within right when you need it!

I suffer from S.A.D. like a lot of others, and I don’t have the room for a larger light box. Working in an office makes it difficult for me to find the space to store a light box, and my apartment at home definitely doesn’t cut it. The Lumie Desk Lamp is the ideal compromise: it acts as a desk lamp and takes up the same amount of space, and it also doubles as a S.A.D. treatment lamp due to its bulb.I ordered mine for £170. I decided that being tired all of the time was annoying and that any method of treatment was better than nothing.

Initial Impression

Once I received the lamp I plugged it in, put in the bulb, and turned it on. It worked perfectly, requiring no configuration and starting right up. I wish that my car was as reliable.It is actually fairly attractive for a desk lamp, and it has a flexible neck that allows you to bend it and point it in whatever direction that you want. The lighting that comes from it is bright enough that I’m able to work underneath it, and I don’t find it so overwhelming that I have to restrict my usage with it.

Usage Impression

The recommended usage for the Lumie lamp is 90 minutes a day. At first, I had no idea how the heck I’d work that out because I don’t really sit anywhere for 90 minutes a day except for my office. Then it hit me: put it in the office! Replacing the lamp I used to have, the Lumie does a fine job. And, the best part of all of this is the fact that I feel better as well.

The spurts of feeling tired all of the time are gone, I feel perky and attentive, and I even find that my skin seems clearer. I don’t know if that last benefit is the result of the Lumie, or of my skin just tired of having the occasion spot of acne, but I’ll credit the Lumie either way since I’m quite happy with it!

Overall

This was a great purchase and despite the fact that this was possibly the most expensive desk lamp ever (£170) it is still a great value as far as I’m concerned. This lamp comes recommended from friends of mine, and now I also share in their opinion. A must buy for S.A.D. sufferers!

I’m not a big fan of blaring alarm clocks. I find that they scare me asleep as opposed to awakening me gradually, and when I wake up I’m in a sort of “panic mode”. It’s a very uncomfortable feeling. Yet, up until a friend of mine showed me the Bodyclock Sunray Dawn alarm clock, I didn’t even realize that there were other options that were less abrupt. I ordered mine and was gleefully awaiting its arrival.

Before I continue I should mention that the alarm clock comes in a fairly small package and doubles as a bedside lamp. These features, though not really important to me, are still great additions to this product that really expand its uses beyond “just an alarm clock”.

Initial Impression

The clock arrived eight days after I ordered it and was well packaged. It needs a 220-240 volt 60 watt bulb (which I knew in advance) and had already purchased for it. Setup of the clock is quite simple: take it out of its packaging, plug in the light bulb, plug it into the wall socket, set the time, and set the time you want the alarm to go off. It also includes an audible alarm that you can turn on or off depending on your preference.

When used as a lamp the light is fairly bright and is more than sufficient as a bedside lamp. I found reading quite easy, and it does get quite bright if you turn it up to the maximum brightness setting. Thankfully it operates as a dimmer so you don’t have to blind yourself all the time.It also includes a neat feature where it can go from being bright to dark in about 20 minutes to half an hour, which is good for actually falling asleep as well. It’s a feature that I’ve used more often than I expected.

Usage Impression

The alarm clock, upon activation, increases the intensity of the light over a period of a half an hour. It took me a few days to figure out when in that cycle I actually awoke, thereby allowing me to set the alarm accordingly. However, once I had figured that out it simply meant setting the alarm 10 minutes later.

The alarm works exactly as you’d expect it to, and I found it quite refreshing wake up under more natural circumstances as opposed to having an alarm blaring in my ear. It really changed my overall mood for the whole day.

Overall

This was a great idea and a great purchase. It is a tad expensive for an alarm clock at £55, but for me, it’s completely worth it.

A few weeks ago I posted a review of the Diamond 3 Light box, and after some careful consideration, I decided to sell it and purchase the Diamond 4 simply because I liked the idea of treatments taking a little less time. The Diamond 3 was a great unit and I still recommend it, but instead of 30-40 minute treatments I’d rather 20-30 minute ones instead.I purchased the Diamond 4 for £270, which is around £25 more than the Diamond 3. That extra £25 gives you an extra bulb, which is the entire point behind these dang things anyway.

Initial Impression

The Diamond 4 arrived six days after my order, and once I had it in my hands it was the same simple setup process as the Diamond 3. This time, however, I ordered the optional wall mounting brackets and did a bit of custom installation. Rather than have it sit on the floor or mount on the wall I mounted it above my shower. I am fortunate enough to be blessed with a shower that sits on the ceiling directly above the shower as opposed to being mounted on a wall.

I turn the Diamond 4 on when I walk in the shower, and since I spend a few minutes every day in there and it is reasonably contained I feel that it will work out well. It’s mounted in such a way that it won’t come into contact with any water, and all of the electric components are put into the wall and shielded in order to prevent me from getting one nasty electric shock.

Usage Impression

I found that my average shower length was 15 minutes, and while I was in there the Diamond 4 was on full blast. I noticed that the results were similar to my 30 minute sessions with the Diamond 3, and I can’t even begin to tell you how nice that feeling is. I feel refreshed, “alive”, and in charge. When I don’t use the light box I tend to feel sluggish and tired, so it’s great to shed that feeling during the winter.

It worked great when mounted to my shower roof, it never malfunctioned, and it didn’t mind the slight increase in humidity either.

Overall

I don’t recommend mounting the Diamond 4 in the shower unless you’re willing to accept the responsibility of something happening (as I was). It works great, and it’s definitely worth the £25 difference between the Diamond 3.