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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nickengland on October 12, 2005, at 15:11:35
A therapist has claimed she has identified a new syndrome which might explain why some people experience tension during the autumn months.
Gillian Scully said since August she has recognised in a number of clients a condition she has labelled Autumn Anxiety.This apparently manifests with symptoms of low motivation, an anticipation of something about to happen with an inability to control it and a reluctance to commit to anything.
She said: "This is much more than a coincidence, and beyond the usual feelings that people have when the seasons change, or when the days are drawing in."
She added: "I have been able to identify the anxiety, treat it quite quickly with Thought Field Therapy so that the client loses the anxiety, becomes more positive and becomes more at ease with themselves and their surroundings."
Sounds like Seasonal Affective Disorder?...Or the onset or something..
Kind regardsNick
Posted by Nickengland on October 12, 2005, at 15:21:57
In reply to Therapist discovers new anxiety, posted by Nickengland on October 12, 2005, at 15:11:35
Hello there,
I'm moving to Australia in the new year, but presently living in the UK (England) and the days are becoming very dark and very short. Needless to say I really am missing the sun light! ~ It does have a negative affect on my moods.
From what I know light boxes can be fairly expensive, but I think it could be a good investment if they last afew years and especially if I don't end up living in a sunny country long term I feel its a good investments to make..or if I return to a country like England in the winter!
So I guess my question is, do you use a light box during these dark months and do you find it effective?
Also which is the best one to buy?
Many thanks if anyone is able to offer advice :-)
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by Bill LL on October 12, 2005, at 16:21:58
In reply to Therapist discovers new anxiety, posted by Nickengland on October 12, 2005, at 15:11:35
That's interesting. I personally don't believe in that sort of stuff. But who knows? Maybe there is at least a placebo effect to that treatment. I pasted a portion of an article discussing TFT;
Thought Field Therapy is a psychotherapy treatment developed and promoted by
Dr. Roger Callahan over the past 20 years. Practitioners tap various parts of
the body in particular sequences, called "algorithms," in order to correct
unbalanced energies, known in TFT as "thought fields." The idea is that
perturbations in these thought fields are the cause of psychological
disturbances. Spin-off alternative therapies include Gary Craig's Emotional
Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Callahan's trademarked-and zealously
guarded-Voice Technology techniques.Gaudiano and Herbert note that TFT is not a coherent scientific theory, but
rather a "hodgepodge" of concepts. Thought fields and points tapped on the
body are modeled on the Chinese concepts of qi and acupuncture meridians. TFT
combines these concepts with the terminology of psychology and physicist's
David Bohm's theory of active information to explain how small
"perturbations" can affect thought fields.The authors also question why there have been no controlled studies of TFT,
despite the miraculous claimed rates of effectiveness (up to 97 percent). The
studies that have been conducted are seriously flawed. Two Florida State
researchers, J.L. Carbonell and Charles Figley conducted a study which they
later posted on their Web site, but this study lacks placebos or controls, so
there is no way the Florida State researchers could determine whether patient
improvements correlate to the TFT therapy.> A therapist has claimed she has identified a new syndrome which might explain why some people experience tension during the autumn months.
> Gillian Scully said since August she has recognised in a number of clients a condition she has labelled Autumn Anxiety.
>
> This apparently manifests with symptoms of low motivation, an anticipation of something about to happen with an inability to control it and a reluctance to commit to anything.
>
> She said: "This is much more than a coincidence, and beyond the usual feelings that people have when the seasons change, or when the days are drawing in."
>
> She added: "I have been able to identify the anxiety, treat it quite quickly with Thought Field Therapy so that the client loses the anxiety, becomes more positive and becomes more at ease with themselves and their surroundings."
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/thehealthnews.html?in_article_id=365201&in_page_id=1797
>
> Sounds like Seasonal Affective Disorder?...Or the onset or something..
>
> Kind regards
>
> Nick
>
>
Posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 16:27:36
In reply to Anyone Use a Lightbox?, posted by Nickengland on October 12, 2005, at 15:21:57
Have you considered taking vitamin D?
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/dvit.htm
Posted by holymama on October 12, 2005, at 19:00:25
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » Nickengland, posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 16:27:36
I've just bought a full spectrum lamp (not a box, but a tall lamp) at my pdoc's recommendation. She said 'full spectrum' is not enough. She said to look for a light with at least 10,000 LUX and to sit under it for at least 20 minutes a day.
Most I looked at were about $100 and up (American).
I'll see if it works over the long, cold and dark New England winter!
Posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 19:16:12
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox?, posted by holymama on October 12, 2005, at 19:00:25
> I've just bought a full spectrum lamp (not a box, but a tall lamp) at my pdoc's recommendation. She said 'full spectrum' is not enough. She said to look for a light with at least 10,000 LUX and to sit under it for at least 20 minutes a day.
>
> Most I looked at were about $100 and up (American).
>
> I'll see if it works over the long, cold and dark New England winter!I'm curious if your pdoc told you to get the light exposure in the morning. That's what I've always heard -- since I can't remember when.:)
Posted by holymama on October 12, 2005, at 19:25:14
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » holymama, posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 19:16:12
No, she didn't say anything about what time of day to use it. She did mention that she has one, and sometimes sits in front of it in the late afternoon instead of having a cup of coffee for some energy. She said it actually energizes her! I've not found that with mine yet (I've only had it a week).
I have noticed that the light feels so much nicer and natural than a regular light, and I now really want one that wakes you up in the morning -- it's a light alarm clock with no alarm. I bet it's a really nice way to wake up instead of waking up to darkness and cold in the winter.
Posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 19:30:48
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox?, posted by holymama on October 12, 2005, at 19:25:14
> No, she didn't say anything about what time of day to use it. She did mention that she has one, and sometimes sits in front of it in the late afternoon instead of having a cup of coffee for some energy. She said it actually energizes her! I've not found that with mine yet (I've only had it a week).
>
> I have noticed that the light feels so much nicer and natural than a regular light, and I now really want one that wakes you up in the morning -- it's a light alarm clock with no alarm. I bet it's a really nice way to wake up instead of waking up to darkness and cold in the winter.
I've never heard of it being an energizer, except as a side effect. (Causing insomnia). I've only heard it used as a preventive measure for depression.
Posted by holymama on October 12, 2005, at 19:34:59
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » holymama, posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 19:30:48
That's the first time I had heard anyone say that as well. I don't notice that effect when I sit under mine, but it does make me feel like I've been sitting out in the sun, which is certainly a boost for me.
Posted by Nickengland on October 13, 2005, at 7:26:54
In reply to Re: Therapist discovers new anxiety, posted by Bill LL on October 12, 2005, at 16:21:58
Hi Bill,
>Practitioners tap various parts of
the body in particular sequences, called "algorithms," in order to correct
unbalanced energies, known in TFT as "thought fields."The treatment does sound quite alternative...
Thanks for posting the link :-)
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by gardenergirl on October 13, 2005, at 7:44:31
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » holymama, posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 19:16:12
From what I've read, bright light in the morning helps the body set and maintain circadian rhythms. For me, I do best with my light therapy if I do it at relatively the same time everyday, early in the a.m. (I HATE this on the weekends!). I found if I vary the time too much, it doesn't help with regulating my sleep cycle, and then I get cranky, insomnia, depressed, etc.
In my case, I think it helps both depression and sleep, but since those two concepts interact in how I feel, it's hard to piece out what it's really doing. I definitely feel it if I miss too many days (3 or more) in a row or get the timing wacky.
gg
Posted by Nickengland on October 13, 2005, at 7:57:32
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » Nickengland, posted by fires on October 12, 2005, at 16:27:36
Hello fires,
Thanks for the link, quite an interesting read..
>Have you considered taking vitamin D?
I get the RDA from the fish oil I take, to be honest though its really the bright light I want and am missing ~ just looking out the window now lol it is so grey, dark, rainning and depressing ~ its only 2pm in the afternoon. lol
Thanks again, i might add abit more vitamin D to see if it helps.
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by Nickengland on October 13, 2005, at 8:04:41
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox?, posted by holymama on October 12, 2005, at 19:00:25
Hi holymama
>I've just bought a full spectrum lamp (not a box, but a tall lamp) at my pdoc's recommendation.
Hope it works out well :-)
>She said 'full spectrum' is not enough. She said to look for a light with at least 10,000 LUX and to sit under it for at least 20 minutes a day.
I'll have to look into this, I get the feeling there is quite afew different products on the market...
>Most I looked at were about $100 and up (American).
My limit would be £150 - £200 Close to $300 I guess roughly.
>I'll see if it works over the long, cold and dark New England winter!
Good luck! From what i'm reading so far I think they sound great :-)
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by Nickengland on October 13, 2005, at 8:13:39
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » fires, posted by gardenergirl on October 13, 2005, at 7:44:31
Hi gg
>From what I've read, bright light in the morning helps the body set and maintain circadian rhythms.
Yes I've read this too, this is one benefit I'd really quite like to get from the bright light therapy...
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by spriggy on October 16, 2005, at 0:52:35
In reply to Re: Anyone Use a Lightbox? » gardenergirl, posted by Nickengland on October 13, 2005, at 8:13:39
I don't *think* I'm bp (hesitate to even suggest I am) but I did have a gp diagnose me with it once.I live near Seattle and already the dreary, dark, rainy days are here. I notice a HUGE change in my emotions once fall comes.
My anxiety gets worse- every time I've had a panic attack it's been in the fall/winter months. I have no clue if there's a correlation but I can't help but wonder.
Would a lightbox be helpful also for anxiety or is it mostly for depression? I think anxiety is my main problem which leads to depression because of the constant anxiety.
Posted by Nickengland on October 19, 2005, at 13:54:27
In reply to Re:are lightboxes safe for bp? » Nickengland, posted by spriggy on October 16, 2005, at 0:52:35
Hi Spriggy,
I think if the anxiety comes hand in hand with the depression, to a certain extent one casuing the other ~ and the light box will help with the depression then theres hopefully a good chance it would help it :-)
I have the problem too, quite badly with seasonal changes but its usually far worse in the winter too, dark days and reduced sunlight, really do seem to have an affect on me.
I'm looking to get a light box within the next week or so, especially because of the clocks going back at the end of the month making the days even shorter here lol
With lightboxes being safe for bipolar, I really hope they are, as far as I know they wouldn't trigger hypomania, (there could be a study to show they do though?) but as they basically provide artificial light I would of thought they're okay ~ just basically getting fake sun in a sense I think..
Kind regards
Nick
This is the end of the thread.
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