[K2TOG]

Hi, Can anyone recommend a SAD/happy light that has helped them through the winter? Every winter I struggle with SAD but last winter was the worst. It was a long, snowy and unusually cold winter.

I also use high kelvin fluorescent light bulbs (6,500k) in my night stand lamp and in my bathroom. I am specifically looking for a happy light or they are also called light boxes or therapy lights.

Thank you!

[Beepee]

It should have 10,000 lux to be beneficial.

[Beepee]

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...t/art-20048298

[Beepee]

http://depression.about.com/od/sad/b...boxtherapy.htm

[K2TOG]

Thank you for responding. I have read these articles already but I am looking for personal experience and recommendations. Do any of you use a light box?

[H3rmit]

I use this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Verilux-HappyL.../dp/B0001ATEJ2

I've seen it cheaper. Mine was "free" via Airmiles a few years ago. Lasted 2-3 years and then I had to replace a bulb for $30. It contains 2 bulb/tubes. Very helpful, soothing, worth it. I need light, but I live in a grey maritime climate. Will use it again in winter, husband also uses it.

[Forever hopeful]

I also suffer from SAD on top of MDD ect I bought a happy light towards the spring last year. I have a few friends who said it was helpful that I recall can't remember for sure. I look forward to using it this fall winter I believe from all reports that it does help or I would have not bought it. I can get the model number for you that I have.. I would use it in my bedroom upon waking then take it to the kitchen to use at the table.. My dr recommended it for and yes last winter was brutal long and cold never recalled such a tough winter before .

[NowhereUSA]

i have SAD and MDD (and right now PPD because why the hell not?) - i use Verilux Happy Light. i think i need to replace the bulb tho even though it's not gone out.

does anyone know if you sometimes just need to replace the bulb even though it turns on and seems fine?

[PoorPrincess]

Originally Posted by K2TOG

Thank you for responding. I have read these articles already but I am looking for personal experience and recommendations. Do any of you use a light box?

Thanks for bringing this up. My pdoc & I discussed the use of a light box to fend against depression in this area of the country without sunlight so many days of the year. It was good to hear that he himself uses one. We didn't get into any technical specifications. So I too, appreciate whatever specifics may be shared here.

Reading the articles in the links provided, it seems "white" is referred to as the desirable spectrum of light vs. blue. The verilux light indicates "natural spectrum daylight". Is this the same thing, different terms?

The costs seem to range ~ $150 and up for the full-size light.
Does anyone have experience with the smaller "Happy Light" for ~ $36?
Thanks for your helpful info.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by K2TOG

Hi, Can anyone recommend a SAD/happy light that has helped them through the winter? Every winter I struggle with SAD but last winter was the worst. It was a long, snowy and unusually cold winter.

I also use high kelvin fluorescent light bulbs (6,500k) in my night stand lamp and in my bathroom. I am specifically looking for a happy light or they are also called light boxes or therapy lights.

Thank you!

Hi, I like my SunRay light box since I suffer from sad as well! You can buy them for like $400 at Walmart...it provides 10,000 lux of full spectrum therapeutic lighting and also has a lower level of blue spectrum to prevent macular degeneration. Aplenzin and Provigil/Nuvigil also help me! Best of luck!!

[doyoutrustme]

Anyone get it covered by their insurance successfully?

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by PoorPrincess

Reading the articles in the links provided, it seems "white" is referred to as the desirable spectrum of light vs. blue. The verilux light indicates "natural spectrum daylight". Is this the same thing, different terms?

The costs seem to range ~ $150 and up for the full-size light.
Does anyone have experience with the smaller "Happy Light" for ~ $36?
Thanks for your helpful info.

Natural daylight is basically white light, yes.

Before I got this fancy light I used a bright outdoor security lamp with white light (Just $10 back in the day, now probably 20.) Not safe for indoors, but I rigged it up safely. Then for years I used a shoplight ($10) with two long natural light tubes (for growing plants) for ~$8 each. Worth it, if not as good or convenient as the big fancy light. I'm sure the smaller happy light would be of some use. Could use it for a longer period to get the same effect. The big one I only use for 20-30 mins and I feel like I've gotten some sun. I tried a tanning bed 2 or 3 times (freebie). Also helped, though I didn't get tanned.

[K2TOG]

Thanks for the advice!

[K2TOG]

I called Verilux and I learned something very interesting. She told me the lights are a stimulant and since I also struggle with anxiety it may not be a good combination. But there are other light boxes not a strong and they can be used for longer periods of time. Not sure what I am going to do.

[Forever hopeful]

Originally Posted by K2TOG

I called Verilux and I learned something very interesting. She told me the lights are a stimulant and since I also struggle with anxiety it may not be a good combination. But there are other light boxes not a strong and they can be used for longer periods of time. Not sure what I am going to do.

Hi from my DX I display freely you can see I also suffer from GAD, Panic Disorder and agoraphobia. Not once did the light activate any of those anxious feeling in me or thoughts. The one I told you about has 2 settings on the lamp.

Just wanted to let you know that coming from someone who truly strongly understands anxiety. Know it too intimately . But the lamp never bothered me in that way . This is a first I heard this information .. All the best anyways in what you choose to do

[K2TOG]

Thank you so much Foreverhopeful!!!! That is good to know that the light does not make your anxiety worse. I am thinking about getting the light where I can change it between 5,000 lux to 10,000 lux.