![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by noelle on August 7, 2006, at 15:21:13
Hi,
I'm not sure what its called but I was wondering if anyone has tried the products for SAD, light boxes, lightbulbs etc. When I spend the morning at the pool, I feel so much better the rest of the day. When I'm in the house all afternoon, it makes me more depressed. I really notice a difference when I spend more time in the light. I'm hoping something like this would help.
Noelle
Posted by saturn on August 7, 2006, at 19:48:17
In reply to Anyone tried light therapy?, posted by noelle on August 7, 2006, at 15:21:13
I use a 10,000 lux light for sleep problems. It works sometimes for sleep and mood and other times not.
Posted by Racer on August 7, 2006, at 21:44:22
In reply to Anyone tried light therapy?, posted by noelle on August 7, 2006, at 15:21:13
I have a lamp with a 10,000 lux bulb, and I know a few others here use them, too, and they are helpful.
They can be expensive, though. That, and you have to sit under them for a fair amount of time, which is hard for me, really the only drawbacks I can think of.
There might be more about it on the Alternative board, too.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Jost on August 8, 2006, at 12:21:36
In reply to Many people use light boxes for good effect » noelle, posted by Racer on August 7, 2006, at 21:44:22
I've used one for sleep regulation, with some success. Not complete, but partial.
No particular effect on my mood, though.
They cost a few hundred dollars, but mine has lasted forever. This one (mine) was in use for a while, then in a closet for a long time, and in use again for the last year. It's held up exceedingly well.
Going out into the sun is the most effective thing you can do., but if you stay at home a lot, the lightbox might help. You do have to sit within a short distance from it which is a limitation.
Jost
Posted by gardenergirl on August 10, 2006, at 21:37:14
In reply to Anyone tried light therapy?, posted by noelle on August 7, 2006, at 15:21:13
I've had very good luck with it. I think it's a good adjunct for my depression, and it definitely helps me regulate my sleep/wake cycle. The lights can be expensive. I've found that as long as it's 10K lux and full spectrum, it works well for me, and I didn't have to buy a huge, $400+ unit. Sometimes insurance will cover it if you get a letter from your doctor, although mine did not.
Here are a few places to look for units:
http://alaskanorthernlights.com/
http://www.apollohealth.com/
http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/
http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/products_lamps.htmlI use either an Apollo Go-lite or a full spectrum floor lamp from Full Spectrum Solutions.
Good luck!
gg
Posted by iforgotmypassword on August 10, 2006, at 23:54:41
In reply to Re: Anyone tried light therapy? » noelle, posted by gardenergirl on August 10, 2006, at 21:37:14
Posted by saturn on August 11, 2006, at 19:21:22
In reply to does full spectrum mean emission of UV? (nm) » gardenergirl, posted by iforgotmypassword on August 10, 2006, at 23:54:41
I've yet to come upon a clear definition of "full spectrum", it seems to be an unregulated term afaik.
I have a "blue light" box which carries light in the blue spectrum which is defined by a specific wavelength range.
Full spectrum has light in the "blue" range and other wavelengths as well. It may have UV also but UV is the part of sunlight which is dangerous to the skin and eyes in excess.
Posted by kimcrazylady on August 17, 2006, at 11:32:14
In reply to Re: does full spectrum mean emission of UV? » iforgotmypassword, posted by saturn on August 11, 2006, at 19:21:22
I have a light box, but I don't use it much. It will work some, but I cannot find a way to fit it in during the right hours. If you didn't have to sit under it so long and it wasn't so big, I would use it more.
I do use full spectrum bulbs in some areas of my house. I don't in the bedroom, because I don't want to stay awake at night!
I feel better being outdoors in the light though.
Kim
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.