Does anyone use light therapy?

[Dino]

This is for seasonal affective disorder (sad) aka the winter blues.

There are so many lamps out there it makes it hard to pick one so I thought I'd give it a shot here.

[Chryco Psycho]

I suffered very badly , far north of you so I moved to Panama , things seem a lot better here !!

[Alaskan_TA]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Double-Mirror-Ball-LED-Projector-Halloween-Disco-Party-Light-Decoration-/160916545208?pt=US_Costume_Accessories&hash=item25775f9eb8

One of those with some music may help?

[Fred]

Is this for real?
I had no idea that such a thing as SAD existed. I mean bad weather can leave us all a little depressed at times but so much so that there's a name for it is news to me.
Excuse my ignorance please..........do you actually suffer depression throughout the winter months? and does this occur every winter? If so is it not possible for you to move to a state where the weather is more favourable?

[JB400]

I think there actually is.  To be honest, I've been known to leave christmas lights on a month or so after the holiday.  It just seems to brighten things up around here.  But, cabin fever has something to do with it as well.  It's no fun being stuck indoors all the time when it's gloomy outside for weeks at a time.

[Alaskan_TA]

We average 13 feet of rain here a year.

SAD / Cabin Fever, whatever you want to call it, it does exist.

[XH29N0G]

It's real. 

Unfortunately, I don't know about selecting lights so cannot help.

[djcarguy]

  Its very real and my girl has and uses light and says it helps.my brother moved to LasVegas and that helps him being out of Oregon and our months of clouds and rain.

    i talked to my doctor ,he said it works for some wiTH mild case depressions and winter blues..
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 SENCE THE LOSS OF OUR MOPAR BROTHER IVE BEEN THINKING OF A THREAD..  IF ANYONE IS SUFFERING FROM WINTER BLUES AND OR SADNESS AND LOSS OF MOTIVATION---------PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR DOCTOR----FAMILY ---OR FRIENDS.  THIS A VERY IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT AND GET HELP IF ANY DARK AND BAD IDEAS ARE GOING THRU YOUR MIND... PLEASE I BEG, ASK HERE OR SOMEWHERE FOR HELP......

   MESSAGE OR PM,,ME OR SOMEONE ,PLEASE.  IT CAN BE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.........TALKING AND GROUP CAN HELP ALOT TOO.. I HAVE HAD BLUES AND DEPRESSED TIMES SINCE HIGH SCHOOL AND ON AND OFF MEDS, FOR 16 YEARS NOW,LOST JOBS AND WIFE OVER THIS STUFF...  

 SO PLEASE  IF IN DEPRESSED--LASTING BLUES STATE OF MIND ,,,ASK AND GET HELP....MANY PEOPLE WILL SAY SILLY THINGS LIKE ,GET OVER IT OR LONG TIME AGO GET PAST IT,SNAP OUT OF IT.  BUT THE MIND IS TRICKY AND YOU CAN NOT JUST WILL THINGS AWAY.  MANY PEOPLE ARE MORE UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL THESE DAY...

   IF YOU ARE CANCERNED,,FOR GOD SAKE ASK FOR HELP,HERE OR DOC AND FAMILY...THANKS FOR TIME,,DJ

[74bluecharger440]

Part of it is a lack of sunlight ,in winter  I go through so much vitamin D to offset the lack of It from the sun..

[Dino]

Yep it's real.  I don't have it too bad, some people can't even function properly in winter.  I do find myself being more down and have less energy during the winter months.  The problem is the lack of light.  With these short days I don't see much sun at all.  I'm not willing to move though, I love living here.  If I really really got depressed over the winters here then sure, but it's not THAT bad.  Besides I have a job and am going to college here.  I'm not willing to leave the University of Michigan health system either, it's too good to give up.

I've checked Amazon for these lamps and they really seem to help but I would've liked to have some first hand experience.

When I do find one I will post a review as it may help others as well.

[Mike DC]

There is a difference between how indoor and outdoor light affects your mood.  Indoor light is way, way less bright and it's too yellowish.  Outdoor sunlight has much more of an impact on lifting your mood than anything indoors. 

 

[Dino]

There is a difference between how indoor and outdoor light affects your mood.  Indoor light is way, way less bright and it's too yellowish.  Outdoor sunlight has much more of an impact on lifting your mood than anything indoors. 

 

Correct, these lamps produce a very bright light at 10,000 lux though.  It's not like sitting in the sun by all means but apparently the stuff works.

[JB400]

Dj is right.  Ask for help on here   This is a support group.  Not only for fixing cars, but for life in general.   Don't be afraid to ask for help.

[Chryco Psycho]

Is this for real?
I had no idea that such a thing as SAD existed. I mean bad weather can leave us all a little depressed at times but so much so that there's a name for it is news to me.
Excuse my ignorance please..........do you actually suffer depression throughout the winter months? and does this occur every winter? If so is it not possible for you to move to a state where the weather is more favourable?

Very real & I suffered badly , Jeckle & Hyde , summer I was fine could not get sick , mid summer I would start to get depressed just having to think about winter , I spent as much as 6 months / year sick all the time in winter ! Our days in dec the sun would come up approx 8:30 am & go down approx 4:15 pm , if you worked in an office you were in the dark for about 3 months & the sun was barely over the horizon at mid day , further north is it much worse where you get to 24 hr darkness with twighlight for a bit . Temps as lows as -66 C*where I was often working . Nothing seemed to help , tried artificial light , prescription drugs , diet etc .
I tried for 30 years to move south to the US , finally gave up & moved to Panama , best thing I could have done Period !

[Dino]

Is this for real?
I had no idea that such a thing as SAD existed. I mean bad weather can leave us all a little depressed at times but so much so that there's a name for it is news to me.
Excuse my ignorance please..........do you actually suffer depression throughout the winter months? and does this occur every winter? If so is it not possible for you to move to a state where the weather is more favourable?

Very real & I suffered badly , Jeckle & Hyde , summer I was fine could not get sick , mid summer I would start to get depressed just have to think about winter , I spent as much as 6 months / year sick all the time in winter ! Our days in dec the sun would come up approx 8:30 am & go down approx 4:15 pm , if you worked in an office you were in the dark for about 3 months & the sun was barely over the horizon at mid day , further north is it much worse where you get to 24 hr darkness with twighlight for a bit . Temps as lows as -66 C*where I was often working . Nothing seemed to help , tried artificial light , prescription drugs , diet etc .
I tried for 30 years to move south to the US , finally gave up & moved to Panama , best thing I could have done Period !

Em and I are very happy it worked out for you Neal.

[Chryco Psycho]

Thanks , I had to do something , could not live where I was any longer

[2Gunz]

The color temperature of the sun is about 5700K...........

So if your serious about this I would start by changing your house light bulbs.

Normal incandescent bulbs are about 3200K, they look yellowish and are "dreary".

Florescent and LED bulbs can be found in the 5200K ish range. They are more blue/white and more "natural"

[djcarguy]

    DINO, i talked to my girl tonite. in her mid 20es she used the lite therapy and  working out and it helped her alot for a few years.20-30 minutes aday and her hubby got light at local home improvement place,does not remember brand.  well 2009 she is married and promotted at work,lots more stress and economy and hubby not getting much work.she got depressed and doc went with meds and she got lots better.

   well mid 2011 off meds to have a baby and was doing good,healthy gran baby girl in 2012. when it came time for her to go back ta work and stress, she got down stayed off meds for baby milk and all that. tonite she tells me she has been to doc and back on meds had a cold and it drained her so much.  her and hubby desided was time and got to doc and back on meds.

hope this may help,i knew of 2 others that used it but no longer in touch with them.all the best ta ya.dj ,rainytown

[Fred]

Part of it is a lack of sunlight ,in winter  I go through so much vitamin D to offset the lack of It from the sun..

We have a big issue with vit D deficiency in this country too. Not for lack of sunshine though, but rather because we've all been told to cover up to avoid skin cancer.

[Fred]

Yep it's real.  I don't have it too bad, some people can't even function properly in winter.  I do find myself being more down and have less energy during the winter months.  The problem is the lack of light.  With these short days I don't see much sun at all.  I'm not willing to move though, I love living here.  If I really really got depressed over the winters here then sure, but it's not THAT bad.  Besides I have a job and am going to college here.  I'm not willing to leave the University of Michigan health system either, it's too good to give up.

I've checked Amazon for these lamps and they really seem to help but I would've liked to have some first hand experience.

When I do find one I will post a review as it may help others as well.

And here I am contributing to your plight by prattling on about our lovely weather all year round. I sincerely apologise.

[Dino]

Yep it's real.  I don't have it too bad, some people can't even function properly in winter.  I do find myself being more down and have less energy during the winter months.  The problem is the lack of light.  With these short days I don't see much sun at all.  I'm not willing to move though, I love living here.  If I really really got depressed over the winters here then sure, but it's not THAT bad.  Besides I have a job and am going to college here.  I'm not willing to leave the University of Michigan health system either, it's too good to give up.

I've checked Amazon for these lamps and they really seem to help but I would've liked to have some first hand experience.

When I do find one I will post a review as it may help others as well.

And here I am contributing to your plight by prattling on about our lovely weather all year round. I sincerely apologise.

I took no offense Fred, you're fine.   

    DINO, i talked to my girl tonite. in her mid 20es she used the lite therapy and  working out and it helped her alot for a few years.20-30 minutes aday and her hubby got light at local home improvement place,does not remember brand.  well 2009 she is married and promotted at work,lots more stress and economy and hubby not getting much work.she got depressed and doc went with meds and she got lots better.

   well mid 2011 off meds to have a baby and was doing good,healthy gran baby girl in 2012. when it came time for her to go back ta work and stress, she got down stayed off meds for baby milk and all that. tonite she tells me she has been to doc and back on meds had a cold and it drained her so much.  her and hubby desided was time and got to doc and back on meds.

hope this may help,i knew of 2 others that used it but no longer in touch with them.all the best ta ya.dj ,rainytown

Thanks a million Dj, much appreciated.  I think I'll consult my doc as well and see what alternative means she comes up with.  It's good to have options.

[djcarguy]

   YES I STRONGLY AGREE WITH GO TO THE DOC,AND THEY WILL HAVE UPDATED INFO AND PAMPLETS.. MAY HAVE SOME STRONG ?    ? TO ASK YA TOO .BUT DINO YOU DONT SOUND LIKE YOUR TOO BAD, BUT CAN BE BETTER.


   SLEEP IS A BIG FACTOR IN SARITONUN,,SP. AND CHEMICAL BALANCE IN BRAIN=====PROPER DIET AND DRINK?==  ONES ACTIVITY LEVEL===== OVER ALL FITNESS AND HEALTH=====  AND VIETAMINS AND SUN LIGHT??

    BEST TO ASK YA DOC.WHILE FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN BE GOOD SUPPORT,TILL YA GET TO DOC .. THERE IS LOTS OF BAD INFO AND OLD WIVES TALES. SOME DONT KNOW AND GO TO THE OLD GET OVER IT,SNAP OUT OF IT.

  BEST BET IS A DOC,MY FAMILY DOC IS THE ONE WHO GOT ME STARTED ON A BETTER PATH.....  THE WINTER AND HOLIDAYS ARE BAD FOR ME OR WHEN INJURIED AND IN PAIN FOR LONG PERIODS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TA YA ALL

[Dino]

   YES I STRONGLY AGREE WITH GO TO THE DOC,AND THEY WILL HAVE UPDATED INFO AND PAMPLETS.. MAY HAVE SOME STRONG ?    ? TO ASK YA TOO .BUT DINO YOU DONT SOUND LIKE YOUR TOO BAD, BUT CAN BE BETTER.


   SLEEP IS A BIG FACTOR IN SARITONUN,,SP. AND CHEMICAL BALANCE IN BRAIN=====PROPER DIET AND DRINK?==  ONES ACTIVITY LEVEL===== OVER ALL FITNESS AND HEALTH=====  AND VIETAMINS AND SUN LIGHT??

    BEST TO ASK YA DOC.WHILE FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN BE GOOD SUPPORT,TILL YA GET TO DOC .. THERE IS LOTS OF BAD INFO AND OLD WIVES TALES. SOME DONT KNOW AND GO TO THE OLD GET OVER IT,SNAP OUT OF IT.

  BEST BET IS A DOC,MY FAMILY DOC IS THE ONE WHO GOT ME STARTED ON A BETTER PATH.....  THE WINTER AND HOLIDAYS ARE BAD FOR ME OR WHEN INJURIED AND IN PAIN FOR LONG PERIODS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TA YA ALL

Yeah I'm not too bad, I don't get into deep depressions but it's enough to way me down and the people around me which is worse. 

People, including me, tend to think that their problems are not important enough because others have it worse.  Well theirs may have started as little problems as well so whatever it is, get it taken care of.

Good posts dj.   

[djcarguy]

   WEll 1 other thing is to keep real pictures with ya,been doing it so long i forgot till at bar sunday watching races.
keep pics of cars,kids,any think good and happy.real pics,if stressed or moody,find a spot an go thru them slowly,touch and lok at them afew times. it always calms and centers me,phone pics may work ,dont know never had a CELL TRACKing DEVICE and sure dont want or need calls inpublic.. i want to break cells when morons use them and talk loud around me in public...

    also do a search here---depression--or--anxiety,some info ..........beware under depression is alot bout 2nd gen hoods and doors,hit me as funny the other night,did not know 2 gens had so much incommin with depression,hahahaha

 get a small copy joke book and keep in car,can pull over and forget bout stress ,just laugh your head off for few minutes and freck out other people ,,,,guy laughing in car???   hav aa goood en,dj

[Mytur Binsdirti]

This is for seasonal affective disorder (sad) aka the winter blues.

There are so many lamps out there it makes it hard to pick one so I thought I'd give it a shot here.

While everyone around here complains about winter, I found something to do that's fun in the winter; snowmobiling.