S.A.D. Lightbox

[Robinia]

The dark nights (& days) are rapidly approaching & as one who struggles with depression I dread the winter which makes me feel terrible. Has anyone got a light-box & does it help? My GP has mentioned them & has leaflets in the waiting room - expensive but well worth it to me if they work. I hate flourescent lighting & I wondered if I might find these as irritating.

[AllYourBase]

If you suffer that badly, surely it has to be worth a try regardless? I have an alarm clock that simulates sunset and sunrise over time and it is great at reducing grogginess in the mornings. It cost over �100, but it is worth it.

[sally_smith]

About 13 years ago I started work full-time and noticed that in winter I became very depressed, I concluded that it was becuase of a lack of sunlight. Every since I dreaded every winter until I obtained a special alarm clock like SimonC described. It has helped me a great deal. I also spend as much time as I can in the daylight - walking to work and going for a walk during lunch time.

[medico]

Lightboxes have their place. I used to work as a GP in Shetland where SAD was a big problem. Lightboxes have been shown to be of use in certain people, but it's a large sum of money to shell out if you're not one of the lucky ones. May well be worth a try though.

[christie]

I also suffer with s.a.d noddy and it is so horrible id love to be one of those people that love winter,but i hate it iv heard light boxes are very effective iv never tried it because ther so expensive but now iv found one thats from maplins for 50 pound it sends off natural light and plays around 7 types of soothing music i will be buying it,id also reccomend the natural herb tablets zen or 5-htp but please consult your doctor before taking them.has for the light box i dont think you,d find it irratating because for one they don,t flicker and they only send off natural light i do hope it works for you

[undercovers]

i have spend many winter struggling through and last year decided enough was enough, i bought something a little cheaper than the original light box. Its a sun razor typed thing with a band of the lights under the rim that you can direct at your eyes, with the light boxs you do need to just look into them but witht this you can wonder around and do other stuff (but you do look a tad silly). Anyway i used with for 30 mins everyday, took b12 vitamin complex (tables) and a multivitamin table too... so i can tell you which one worked or if they worked in combination BUT something worked and it was one of my best winters ever - good luck

[Robinia]

Thanks so much for all your replies. I do have some physical health problems as well but the awful lowness that winter brings makes everything seem much worse. As you say it could be worth a try. Glad that it helped you undercovers & I hope that this winter isn't too bad for any of us & that we have some bright sunny days. :-)

[becks]

Hi Noddy, I just wanted to add something, I suffer from SAD quite badly, but i don't have a lightbox (don't have the time or money), but i do have a sunrise clock, it mimics the sunrise and is really bright and a much nicer way to wake up when it's dark outside. Try www.outsidein.co.uk or there's a sad assocation too but i can't remember website. I also have sunbeds, i know these are bad for you, bu t i personally find that one every couple of weeks works wonders for my light levels.

[Robinia]

Thanks becks - seems the sunrise lamps are becoming very popular & that might bring the prices down! :-)