seasonal affective disorder (SAD) winter is coming! please read!

TickledPink · 09-08-2005, 03:16 PM

I know alot of you suffer from SAD, myself included! And winter is approaching urghhh!

I use a lite book for 15-25 minutes every morning in the winter along with depression meds and I made it through last winter, cause where I live it is virtual 24 hr darkness in the winter.

here is a link to the litebook I use www.litebook.com

it is small and easy to use! I just flip it on while on my laptop in the winter months and surf the net

there are other models out there, but personally I use this one so I give it a recommend!

Happy & healthy winter!

(((((hugs)))))

Suval · 10-04-2005, 09:19 AM

I'm not sure if I can tell the difference between SAD and regular depression.

My doctor thinks I have SAD (partly because I had a med increase in the winter) but I go through tough times in other seasons as well.

Can someone tell me the distinction between the two types?

dovetrang · 10-05-2005, 12:55 AM

it's not linked to pcos right?

Ma'ma Jama · 10-13-2005, 04:10 PM

I'm glad you posted this because the last couple of weeks I've been feeling so down and sleepy. Never thought that it could be the season change and an actual chemical imbalance. Is the Depression connected to PCOS? and How so? Thanks.

Ma'ma Jama

TickledPink · 10-13-2005, 04:37 PM

well, depression can be linked to pcos in the fact that pcos is a hormonal imbalance.

depression can be caused by many factors though and it is best to find a good psychiatris to get a diagnosis.

it's the best thing I have ever done for myself

nylittlejen · 10-13-2005, 05:49 PM

My brother recently told me about this. I have depression but it gets unbearable in the winter (New York, yuck). Thank you so much!

Ma'ma Jama · 10-13-2005, 07:11 PM

I'm trying to get an appointment with my OB/GYN and will ask her about it. I'm new to this health care system and am hoping to find a Dr. that can help me with all the aspects of PCOS. Its been so frustrating. A daily consumption of all my attention and energy...maybe that is why I'm tired and unhappy

I've learned that I HAVE to educate myself before I go into a new Dr. Some of them just have no clue about things. It makes things very difficult because I'm not a Dr. and Interpreting some of the info I'm reading is really hard. I end up wondering if I have everything under the sun!! I've really loved reading the post on Soul Cysters, at least I know I'm not alone.

austinmandi · 10-13-2005, 07:16 PM

I'm bi-polar and while the summer months mean mania at its worst, I HATE the winter because its when the blues kick in. My psychiatrist was never able to tell me if is was S.A.D. or if I was a rapid cycler. But I think either way light therapy couldn't hurt. Was your litebox expensive?

Suval · 10-19-2005, 08:37 PM

Shortly after reading this post, I decided to look further into SAD. It just so happened that national depression screening day was shortly after I started looking... so I managed to get a few pamphlets.

I looked into light therapy and I really began to think it was for me. I'm not 100% SAD but I am for sure more tired in the winter (heeellloooo I live in Canada where it's always dark!).

Anyway, today I went to visit my G.P today. I told him that I was thinking about it. He thought it was a good idea since he almost always saw a positive impact with the use of light therapy. So, I got a prescription! I'm very excited. I don't necessarily want to DECREASE my meds but I certainly do not want an INCREASE.

Any other thoughts on this topic?

TickledPink · 10-20-2005, 04:13 PM

my litebook cost under 300 canadian a year ago. I use one with high intensity LED lighting.

www.litebook.com

skeeweeaka · 11-13-2005, 09:23 AM

Hey just purchased mine from this site http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com...rapy_13_ct.htm. It has helped somewhat, sure it will help more if I do it on a regular basis... Mine was a little over $200.

grooveintheheart · 11-22-2005, 02:49 AM

The lack of natural light is really putting me in a funk for about the past week. Every day I become extremely sleepy about 4:30 after the sun has gone down. If I take a nap then, I often oversleep and am then up all night. Feeling terribly out of control.

I have read instructions on how to make a homemade light box, but has anyone done so and experienced relief? Are they as effective? Unfortunately, funds are low or I'd have bought a unit years ago.

TIA!!

DappleSuki · 01-22-2006, 03:41 PM

I am thinking about buying one but want to ask my doctor first.
I am a but confused though. There is the traditional white light and a newer blue wave light. www.apollolight.com/index.html has alot of information about this blue light and claims that it is more effective and has fewer side effects. But since it is newer it has less research behind it. Has anyone tried blue light?
Those who have tried light boxes, have you experienced any side effects? I have read that some people have headaches, anxiety, and nausea.

sleepydumpling · 01-22-2006, 09:50 PM

I'm in Australia (Brisbane to be exact) and I get SAD in summer! My doc tells me it's common here in the sub-tropics and tropics, because we get the humidity and constant storms (which means overcast days) in summer, where our winters are very clear and crisp and sunny, yet cold.

sassparillo · 01-27-2006, 09:57 PM

I've been reading about taking Vitamin D supplements as a possible treatment for SAD. In doses up to 4000 Iud. Might help too!