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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
I am considering buying a SAD lamp, but it is quite expensive, so I would like to hear from others as to whether or not these lamps are worth the money.
Thanks.
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on September 24, 2002, at 3:31:28
In reply to SAD Lights, anyone with experience using these, posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
I attended the European Association of Psychiatrists meeeting in Sweden recently and found that these lights are widely used in Scandinavia.Some doctors have a room in their offices which a patient can visit to get the light.They are particularly useful in Seasonal Affective Disorder,often as an addition to antidepressants.Consider adding omega-3 fish oil too-the Eskimos do not get much depression.
Posted by caml on September 24, 2002, at 8:55:40
In reply to SAD Lights, anyone with experience using these, posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
Hi Jaynee,
I have used phototherapy before when I wasn't taking any medication. I found that my mood and motivation levels improved using the lamp for 3 hours per day, but this is an individual thing.As
I was not receiving any other form of deliberate therapy I assumed that the lamp played a significant part in my improvement at that time.
After approximately 3 months I stopped using the lamp, and over the following 4-6 weeks my mood level and motivation deteriorated. I had not participated in any maintenance programme with the lamp at all.Instead of appreciating that I may have had some part to play in this deterioration through my lack of maintenance, I simply blamed the lamp for not being effective and threw it out. In retrospect, a big mistake.Being aware that research may have altered some of these facts, these are my tips for lamp use:
1) Strength should be at least 10,000 lux ( this is UK measure, may be different in USA)
2) Use full spectrum bulbs as opposed to flourecent as it helps make vitamin D
3) Use Flourecent bulbs if skin reddens while using full spectrum bulbs
4) Always ensure the provide lamp screen is in place to absorb radiation from bulbs.
5) Ask supplier if they offer an agreed return period should you find the lamp is of no use. There may be a small financial penalty for this, but worth it if you don't find the lamp useful.
6) Don't be impatient, try different time periods( I found a week at each level was enough to know)
to find the useful one for you.7) If you buy a lamp and keep it,never throw it away as it may be useful in the future to you or someone else you know.
Sorry this has been lengthy but hope it is of some use.
Good luck
caml
Posted by caml on September 24, 2002, at 9:16:15
In reply to SAD Lights, anyone with experience using these, posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
Further to my pevious response :
Would it be possible for your psychiatrist, or any other, to arrange for you to borrow a lamp for an agreed period of time to establish whether or not you would benefit from one?
Also, be aware that there are high intensity models of lamp out there which would reduce the time you require to spend with the lamp by up to 50%. Neither is better in therapeutic terms than the other apart from the length of time you have to spend with the lamp on.caml
Posted by Ritch on September 24, 2002, at 10:22:27
In reply to SAD Lights, anyone with experience using these, posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
> I am considering buying a SAD lamp, but it is quite expensive, so I would like to hear from others as to whether or not these lamps are worth the money.
>
> Thanks.They also make dawn simulators-which some people claim are better. I am considering an experiment where I close off all of the natural light and use the dawn simulator to wake me up at the same time every morning. I have noticed in the last two weeks that I am having trouble getting up at the same time each morning, I want to keep sleeping for another hour or two. It is like my body wants to wake up with the *same* amount of light every morning-and that qty. of light is available much later.
Posted by susan C on September 24, 2002, at 10:28:24
In reply to SAD Lights, anyone with experience using these, posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-tips/links/S_A_D___or_SAD_000973031504/
Go here and get lots of information
reference mouse
Posted by Jaynee on September 26, 2002, at 12:13:06
In reply to SAD Lights, anyone with experience using these, posted by Jaynee on September 24, 2002, at 0:32:41
Thanks
This is the end of the thread.
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