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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by adamie on November 18, 2001, at 21:05:36
hi. I will hopefully be getting a light box for christmas (cost issue). Can light boxes significantly help for non seasonal depression? I have severe depression that may have atypical features. But it is possible that it may have a seasonal depression component because I have been feeling much worse this month than last. Perhaps it's because winter is coming.
Have light boxes been known to help for usual clinical depression even if just partially?
Posted by JohnX2 on November 18, 2001, at 23:08:05
In reply to Light Boxes help in non-seasonal depression?, posted by adamie on November 18, 2001, at 21:05:36
Moving from Chicago to Texas has greatly
helped my seasonal depression! I can go outside
and play golf in the winter.It is that crummy time of year where SAD
(seasonal affective disorder) kicks in. Lots
of light can definately help. I'm a really crummy
interior decorator, I live in this big empty
house. When I go to my friends well lit and
decorated home I feel less depressed (although
I'm upset that my house is so "empty"). If
I wasn't dysthymic I would probably get off my
ass and do something about this.have fun.
-john
> hi. I will hopefully be getting a light box for christmas (cost issue). Can light boxes significantly help for non seasonal depression? I have severe depression that may have atypical features. But it is possible that it may have a seasonal depression component because I have been feeling much worse this month than last. Perhaps it's because winter is coming.
>
> Have light boxes been known to help for usual clinical depression even if just partially?
Posted by jazzdog on November 19, 2001, at 11:54:30
In reply to Re: Light Boxes help in non-seasonal depression?, posted by JohnX2 on November 18, 2001, at 23:08:05
Try full-spectrum lightbulbs from the healthfood store. They really do make a difference.
- Jane
Posted by Mark H. on November 21, 2001, at 21:52:44
In reply to Re: Light Boxes help in non-seasonal depression?, posted by jazzdog on November 19, 2001, at 11:54:30
For a lightbox to be effective, you must work or read VERY close to it, just a few inches away from your face. This is due to fact that its power to affect you drops off dramatically with distance, even a very small distance.
Although my lightbox never seemed to help me much, I too noticed that when I visited sunnier climates, it would sometimes have an anti-depressant effect, even though I am marginally allergic to sunshine and tend to go to sleep within minutes after the temperature rises above about 80 degrees. In other words, I got less depressed even though I hated the climate I was visiting.
What do I conclude from this? For light to help me (abnormal, refractive, cyclical depression -- bipolar II), I need more than a light box can offer. However, it is sure worth a try!
Please let us know how it works for you.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
This is the end of the thread.
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