Seasonally Affected Disorder S.A.D

[Annette Curtain]

As the daylight hours are slowly reducing, i'm keen not to succumb to the above

Generally i'm outside a lot in Winter, so I escape the worst of this, but the love of my life isn't

So, i'd like to be well armed. Any tips/ideas or lamps worth buying ?

I'm looking at this on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LIGHT-THERAPY-DAYLIGHT-SUNLIGHT-LAMP/dp/B0011D3606/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_1_0

Anyone use FLUX software ?

[david_carnell]

Before having a screaming baby to wake me all through the year, in the dark winter months I had a sun-lamp as an alarm clock by the bed. It gradually increases the light from about 30mins before you want to wake and then sounds an alarm right at the end (just in case). I'd say it did help in not feeling quite so groggy in the mornings.

[????]

I love this time of year....this last until about January the 5th, then I've had it.

[*Bob*]

My ovver arf got me one a few years back.

Turns out I don't have SAD - I'm just a misery.

[LadyDeliah]

I'd second the sun-lamp and vitamin D tabs. Going for saunas every so often helps too.

[ianr]

> Anyone use FLUX software ?

I heard this mentioned on a radio programme yesterday. Just for disambiguation (there seem other prroducts with the same name) I assume you're referring to this: http://justgetflux.com/?

[Loz]

Ha! Love that URL.

[DulwichFox]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My ovver arf got me one a few years back.

>

> Turns out I don't have SAD - I'm just a misery.

Cut and Pasted, Printed, Just sorting out a decent frame... :)

Foxy

['bout now]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My ovver arf got me one a few years back.

>

> Turns out I don't have SAD - I'm just a misery.

My ex-wife's diagnosis of me. Delivered in June.

[Sue]

david_carnell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Before having a screaming baby to wake me all

> through the year, in the dark winter months I had

> a sun-lamp as an alarm clock by the bed. It

> gradually increases the light from about 30mins

> before you want to wake and then sounds an alarm

> right at the end (just in case). I'd say it did

> help in not feeling quite so groggy in the

> mornings.

xxxxxxx

I have one of those, and I like it, however the light is not the kind of light you use if you have SAD, at least I don't think so. It's just a gentle way to wake you up, not a substitute for sunlight as such.

I have a desk light from Lumie which is supposed to mimic the effects of sunlight, no idea if it's working and no idea if I actually suffer from SAD or just dislike the long cold dark nights :))

[MrBen]

What quids said. The general cheer from now til Christmas takes my mind off the first few months. The grimness that sets in towards the end of January is best offset by a winter sun holiday. A week in Feb somewhere warm and bright will recharge the batteries.

[MrBen]

The dream scenario would be to leave the UK in Jan and return in early May. I love May.

[woodrot]

Ive got a bright box for SAD, but I find taking out my angst on the EDF cheers me up no end.

[indiepanda]

Reminds me I must get my light box out.

As the others said I can just about cope till the other side of Christmas, but by mid January with no let up in sight of long cold nights and busy days auditing, am usually getting a bit down.

I can't even think about getting away for a holiday between Jan and March because of work being so busy, but at least I am going away to Southern Spain over New Year which am hoping will help - got to be warmer than here.

[dulwichpsychology]

Alongside CBT, light therapy is a popular treatment for SAD albeit with little evidence for long-term effects. From my experience talking to clients who have suffered from SAD, light therapy can be very effective to lift your mood.

www.dulwichpsychologist.co.uk

[uncleglen]

St John's Wort is great but it takes a while to build up in the system and makes the skin a bit light sensitive.

[buggie]

Vitamin D supplements well worth looking into - growing body of evidence showing that vitamin D levels are lower than typical in people with depression.

Their unsure which causes which (chicken/egg style conundrum), but well worth considering as even if you're outside a lot, you need to be outside much nearer the equator at this time of year to naturally get your full complement via exposure.

[maxxi]

indiepanda Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Reminds me I must get my light box out.

Behave.

[indiepanda]

maxxi Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> indiepanda Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Reminds me I must get my light box out.

>

> Behave.

Lol, I would not have guessed someone could turn that into a smutty comment.