Light Boxes, SAD Light, SAD Light Boxes

Posts Tagged ‘SAD’

Winter got you feelin’ blue?

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

It’s that time of year, when twinkle lights make houses and trees sparkle, smiling snowmen stand proud on front lawns and everyone salesperson and random stranger wishes you a happy holiday — and yet, you feel anything but.

For many, it’s a funk that’ll pass, and for many people it is; for others, the mood shift runs a little deeper: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression most often linked to winter. About 5% of Americans suffer from it; an additional 10% to 20% experience a milder form. The fact it gets so dark outside so early plays a role. Here’s what else you need to know:

The symptoms:

Symptoms include hopelessness, irritability and fatigue; hunger, especially for sweet or starchy foods, and subsequent weight gain; oversleeping; having a tough time concentrating; and/or wanting to avoid social situations. In most cases, symptoms appear in late fall or early winter, and fade in the spring.

The treatments:

Light therapy seems to work for most people. You might sit in front of a light box to expose you to about 30 minutes of bright light every day, which appears to affect mood-related chemicals in your brain, eases symptoms. Some people with SAD need antidepressants, others benefit from talk therapy as well. What doesn’t work: Tanning beds — the lights are high in ultraviolet rays, which harm both your eyes and your skin. Talk to your doctor if you think you have SAD.

Can I prevent it?

No, there’s no known way to stop seasonal depression from developing, but you can take steps to manage symptoms early on, and keep them from getting worse. Spend some time outside, even when it’s cloudy; natural light helps, especially within two hours of getting up in the morning. Eat well — a healthy diet boosts energy; exercise regularly to help relieve stress and anxiety; and hang out with your friends often, which can provide tremendous support during winter months.

Tags: Bright light therapy, Depression, Doctor, Light box, Light Therapy, North Star 10, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Sleep, Sleep disorders, Winter Blues, Winter Depression
Posted in Light Therapy, SAD | Comments Off

Holidays Prime Time for SAD

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Besides ushering in cooler temperatures and holiday cheer, the months of December, January and February are peak times for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression and related to seasonal variations in light. It affects nearly half a million people, usually between the months of September and April. Depression is usually mild to moderate, but can be severe. SAD can be diagnosed after three consecutive winters of symptoms, if they are also followed by complete remission in the spring and summer months. According to Mental Health America, symptoms include depression, anxiety, overeating, lethargy and social withdrawal.

SAD tends to affect women more, as three out of four sufferers are women. The main onset appears anywhere between the ages of 18-30, but more typically in the early twenties. According to Dr. Timothy Stone, medical director of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, in northern regions, nearly 14 percent of the population experiences SAD. In more temperate regions like Alabama, the incidence is approximately 6 percent. The severity of SAD can be traced to a person’s vulnerability to the disorder, linked to having at least one close relative with a psychiatric condition, usually severe depressive disorder or alcohol abuse.

Stone says, “SAD can disrupt a person’s life in several ways including affecting work performance by causing impairments in concentration, energy and motivation. Often people with SAD have an increased need for sleep and have a difficult time getting up in the morning. They are more often late to work or do not show up at all. The quality of their work suffers, and they are less efficient and less productive. SAD can also negatively impact close relationships by causing irritability as well as a tendency to pull away from the world and isolate oneself.”

Causes of SAD have been traced to seasonal light variations in humans, as well as levels of melatonin. There are a variety of treatments and treatment levels for those suffering from SAD. Stone says, “People with the disorder can increase the amount of time they spend outside to gain some relief. Using manufactured light-boxes that produce specific wavelengths of light, many of which can be purchased fairly cheaply over the Internet, has been found as effective in treating SAD as psychotherapy or medication. This treatment works best when used daily, in the morning, from October through March.”

Some people often say they have the “winter blues,” which is in fact a milder form of SAD, but the main thing to remember is if depressive symptoms are severe enough to significantly affect one’s daily living, contact a mental health professional.

Tags: Depression, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Winter Blues, Winter Depression
Posted in SAD | Comments Off

Fight Holiday Depression

Monday, December 19th, 2011

For most people, the holiday season brings the promise of joy, peace and love. But for many, the season can trigger sadness, stress, or even a more serious depression.

“Holiday depression is a very real problem for many people,” says psychiatrist Ryan Patel, DO, with Advocate Medical Group – Behavioral Health in Normal. Dr. Patel says there are a number of factors that contribute to the risk of the “blues” or even a more serious depression at this time of year. “There may be unreasonable expectations that something good will happen,” he says. “Sometimes these feelings could be shaped in early childhood, when the holidays were viewed as truly a magical time. Our adult experience can often be different than that.”

He notes that the season is further complicated by the fact that diminished amounts of sunlight during winter can affect one’s mood, even contributing to a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The National Mental Health Association estimates that as many as one in six Americans suffer from SAD, with as many as 25% reporting “not feeling great” during the winter months.

“There may be other medical conditions contributing to depression as well,” says Dr. Patel, adding that a thorough medical evaluation by a psychiatrist is warranted if symptoms are severe or treatment response is not as expected.

Dr. Patel emphasizes that depression can be a serious problem, one that may require medical treatment. Awareness is the first step. “It’s important to be familiar with the signs and symptoms that may signal depression,” he says. They include:

• Loss of appetite; weight gain or loss
• Irritability, explosive outbursts
• Lack of interest or enjoyment in activities, especially those that once brought pleasure
• Sleeplessness
• Lack of energy
• Poor concentration
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

He says that professional help is indicated for those experiencing several of these symptoms for a period of about two weeks. “A call to your primary care physician should be the first step in getting the help needed,” he says. “Your primary care physician may determine that a referral to a psychiatrist may be necessary”

Remember the “A” List
Dr. Patel emphasizes that there are ways to prevent and address holiday depression. He recommends following the “A” list for a healthy holiday:

• Awareness: be aware of how you’re feeling—knowing the signs of depression is very important
• Activity: physical exercise, especially, can help offset the effects of depression and stress
• Avoid isolation: seek out family and friends to talk to and spend time with
• Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine.
• Ask for help: seek professional help if necessary. If you are suffering signs of depression, call your doctor. Health professionals are skilled at assisting people with depression and can connect you with resources that can help. If having thoughts of self-harm, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Tags: Depression, Doctor, Family, Holidays, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Winter Blues, Winter Depression, Work
Posted in Depression, SAD | Comments Off

Diagnosing Seasonal Affective Disorder

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

The Mayo Clinic posted a link to a podcast where you can listen to Mayo Clinic Dr. Mark Frye explain how they diagnose SAD.

Click the link below to listen:

Diagnosing SAD

Tags: Depression, Doctor, Light Therapy, Mayo Clinic, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Winter Blues, Winter Depression
Posted in SAD | Comments Off

How to Overcome the Winter Blues

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Boots have replaced sandals, sweaters are covering up beach bodies, and iced coffee is now an anomaly. The dog days of winter are upon us.

After the holiday line-up of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, the onset of seasonal depression comes in full-swing.

The Winter Blues, formally known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a mood disorder in which people are fine for most of the year, but become unusually depressed in the winter or summer. It is more prevalent at higher latitudes and is most common in younger people and women.

Related symptoms include oversleeping, lack of energy, overeating, and anxiousness or mood swings. Because the days in winter are short, people with Seasonal Affective Disorder generally lose interest in daily activities and sleep more because darkness disrupts the body’s internal clock by increasing melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain that tells the body when to sleep and wake up.

Because the next great generation has enough to worry about with the current job climate, student loans, and what exactly to buy moms for Christmas, here are some recommendations for staving off the winter blues.

Go out in the daylight as much as possible, or at least on your lunch break. On weekends, try to plan outdoor activities like a walk or run.
Exercise regularly, try to take a class you wouldn’t normally take like spinning, Pilates, or a group weight training class.
Invest in a light therapy box.
Spruce up your office space with something that makes you smile.
Set your alarm to wake up ten or fifteen minutes earlier.
Plan a trip to a warm destination.

There are many different treatments for seasonal affective disorder, including light therapy, medication, and positive psychotherapy which works to increase positive emotions in depressed clients. But exposure to light is said to be the most effective treatment.

Winter truly is a wonderland if you don’t let the weather drag you down.

Tags: Bright light therapy, Depression, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Winter Blues, Winter Depression, Work
Posted in SAD | Comments Off

Click HERE to see what 50 of our recent satisfied customers have to say!

Archives