candybear, my pdoc told me that insurance will often cover a good part of the expense of a lightbox. You may want to call your insurance company and ask about it. I have never heard of the 8 year rule for being dx'ed with SAD. I know that I've had two different pdocs tell me that I have SAD without ever asking me how long I've suffered with it.

Anyway, if you still can't swing a light box, my pdoc recommended for me to get out in the sun at lunchtime every day, to make sure I got some sun exposure when it's at its highest. So maybe take a little walk in the middle of the day.

I have used some of the full spectrum light bulbs, and they have not really done anything to help with the SAD. I think the difference is, a light box is 10,000 lumens...you need that really bright light to really affect the SAD.

Good luck...I hope you can find some way to get a light box...it's done wonders for me.

mj