S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 10:07 am

I was wondering if any of you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Before I was diagnosed with O.S.A. I thought my problem with depression might be caused by S.A.D. because as soon as the days became shorter and the nights longer my moods became more depressed beginning in late November and lasting until February. I bought a (day-light) light-box and sat in front of it in the mornings for twenty minutes or so. It seemed to help the moods but now I think it was the sleep apnea causing the depressions. Perhaps it was some of both. My moods have improved dramatically since going on cpap. I was wondering if any of you have used light-box therapy and how does it work for you. CareS

yawn · Post by **yawn** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:47 pm

I used to have trouble with depression around February. I was never diagnosed with SAD but often thought that was the cause. I also think that being a stay-at-home-mom, being stuck inside through the winter got to be depressing. The days were short and cold. Once Spring came around, I would get happy again.
I don't have trouble with that anymore...once I started working again, I didn't have time to think about the weather or being stuck inside. I don't think my depression was linked to OSA because it happened long before I ever considered that I might have OSA and it went away before I got CPAP treatment.
Amy

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:08 am

I would also like to hear from anyone who has use light-box therapy. Have considered getting it because both my son and I have problems with depression. I know his is much worse in winter. I really think he has apnea also. But no insurance so can't afford a study. I also plan on trying the mini-study with him as soon as I can.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:23 am

I use a light box in the winter. Actually, I find I can't sleep at night but can during the day. So I use it before going to sleep and it helps a lot!

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:18 pm

Thank you for your replies. You guys seem to come from the warmer climate areas. Where I live, Ottawa, ON Canada is I believe the second coldest Capital City in the world. Our winter starts in November and lasts well into March. The days now in September are much shorter and will continue to shorten until December. In February the days become longer and brighter. I have noticed in the past that my lowest moods are from November until February. January is my absolute worst month and I dread January. As was mentioned, getting out of the house is crucial as is exercising in the fresh air. It will be interesting this year being on CPAP to see if the S.A.D. symptoms reoccur. I have a lightbox so we will see what happens. I think one way of knowing if you have S.A.D. is if your low moods occur at the same time every year as mine do. Anyway if I don't have them this year then I will know it was caused by O.S.A. or possibly both. CareS

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:27 pm

To Rock and Roll, I am surprised that you are using a light box just before retiring at night. I would think that the purpose of the light box is to regulate the sleep/wake cycles something to do with the seritonin in the brain. The optimum time to use it is first thing in the morning when you wake up and perhaps in the afternoon if you feel in a slump and need perking up. I would think that using it just before bedtime would keep you awake all night. CareS

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:44 pm

Strange isn't it? But it works for me. And a few others I have talked inmto trying it. I am just a night person.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:43 pm

I have heard of people using light boxes in "different" ways, such as at "odd" times of the day. Hey, if it works, why not.

My daughter is affected by severe depression and SAD. We bought her the best light box out there. Unfortunately you have to USE the light box for it to do any good, and a depressive person can often not get motivated enough to do something as simple as watch some light every day. I have my doubts that my daughter has even taken it out of the box since I showed her how it works, which leaves me just FEELING sad. But she is an adult now and lives away from home, so there is nothing more I can do.
But do be warned, that just buying it doesn't mean it will be used. Don't let that stop you from trying, but do manage your expectations.

I live in the northwest and the short and dark and grey winter days get to a lot of people. I have HEARD of a lot of people with good results from the light boxes.

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:59 pm

What is the best light box out there? Sorry to hear that your daughter is probably not able to manage something that may help her. My son has wondered if a light box may help him and talked of trying to buy one for himself so I am hoping that he would use it. But you never know.

Did you order from internet or where did you obtain yours. I have looked at them on the internet but not really sure what is best. And don't know anyone who uses one.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:10 pm

The GOLITE is the number one rated. You can do an internet search and get it for $199 or less. I use this one and I really did my homework before I bought.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:43 pm

rock and roll wrote:The GOLITE is the number one rated. You can do an internet search and get it for $199 or less. I use this one and I really did my homework before I bought.

My research also indicated the golite was the best one available, and it the one I bought for my daughter.
http://www.apollohealth.com/golite.html

They are available through many sources including at least one CPAP supplier, usually available for $200 or less. I think I heard that COSTCO had them for awhile for $150.

The golite is one of the most portable units too. If your son is at all interested and is likely to actually use it, I would say its worth the gamble.

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:13 pm

To be honest, I haven't used mine all that much but it makes one heck of a great art lamp and for sewing projects too so I can get therapy while I do my hobbies. You do not have to look directly at the lamp to benefit but can read a book, as long as the light reaches the eyes at close range. Mine is a square lamp about the size of a bathroom scale on a stand and you can adjust the angle of the lamp. I purchased mine at a home heath care company (Shopper's Drug Mart) here in Ottawa. They can also be ordered on line. I think mine is called the Daylight. The lamp has two settings the higher brighter one used for the light therapy. I suppose you can use it for any number of things, viewing slides whatever. Apparently you have to change the flourescent lightbulbs inside maybe every three years because they become less effective over time. I know there is an optimal time of day to use it but I am not sure what that is. I am sure that information is available somewhere on the net. I don't know if one make is any better than another but I would think larger is better. About being depressed, you cannot be depressed and interested in something at the same time so if you can force yourself to get interested in something other than the depression I am sure it will go away. Also taking ample B vitamins are very important for depression. I found when I got depressed and took my B vitamins it really helped. For really bad depression it is probably best to get a B vitamin shot from the Doctor. Keep me posted on how you are doing with the light-box and seasonal depression but I know it is too early in the year for the s.a.d. symptoms. CareS

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:25 pm

CareS wrote:You guys seem to come from the warmer climate areas. Where I live, Ottawa, ON Canada is I believe the second coldest Capital City in the world. Our winter starts in November and lasts well into March.

I used to live just outside Ottawa in Munster Hamlet (yes, that really is the name) until I had a mid-life crisis at 40 and moved to Florida. At times I miss that area. It is very beautiful.

I don't miss the cold and I sure don't miss shovelling snow!

Ottawa could be the 2nd coldest capital, but it is 1st in snow fall.

January is my absolute worst month and I dread January.

The only good thing about January in Ottawa is the anticipation of Winterlude. All the snow sculptures and ice carving ... if the Bermuda High doesn't shift and cause everything to melt, that is.

I never had SAD, but I was sure melancholy in the autumn. Probably related to a tragic event one October that I never really got over.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:14 pm

The tragic event of early life in the autumn that caused my autumn melancholy was-- BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder