[Gordian Mind]

Has anyone tried SAD lamps and found them to improve thier moods? I have been considering buying one as I definately notice my depression is at it's worst in the dark winter months.

I have also been considering some natural remedies, one of which my partner told me about; St Johns Wort. I notice it comes in different dosages though so I don't really know where to start with it.

If anybody has advice or wishes to share their experiences please let me know.

Thanks.

[BuggsBunny]

I had a SAD light and found it very helpful during the winter months. I'd still be using it if it hadn't broken during my last move .

[crazylife]

I love my SAD light, best investment i ever made.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by Gordian Mind

Has anyone tried SAD lamps and found them to improve thier moods? I have been considering buying one as I definately notice my depression is at it's worst in the dark winter months.

I have also been considering some natural remedies, one of which my partner told me about; St Johns Wort. I notice it comes in different dosages though so I don't really know where to start with it.

If anybody has advice or wishes to share their experiences please let me know.

Thanks.

I have not tried a SAD lamp although I hear they can be effective. I have used St. John's Wort, and while I did not find it effective for treating my depression, I have known others who said it was helpful. I did find myself very sensitive to sunlight when I took it; when I was outside in bright sunlight I found myself dazzled by the sunlight and slightly overcome. I imagine if you wore sunglasses that would help. I take a prescription anti-depressant so I would not take St. John's Wort now; if you try it make sure you read up on whether it is okay to mix with other drugs, prescription and non-prescription.

I've not tried a SAD lamp but I have tried St John's wort. The dosages vary depending on what brand you buy so it's not recommended by doctors in the UK. I didn't have any side effects with it, but neither did it help my depression. I don't know if you're on any other meds but SJW interacts with LOADS e.g. contraceptive pill, blood pressure pills, anti-depressants, triptans (used for migraines) etc etc. Be careful

*Willow*

[Gordian Mind]

Wow many thanks for the info. Your opinions have sold me on the idea of the lamp, do you have any recommendations on a good model?

I'm not actually on any medication, but a friend suggested St Johns Wort as her mother used to use it for her bad nerves. I think I'll give it a shot, start with a low dosage and see how it goes.

Icecreamkid, I have been doing a little reading up on it and apparently St John's Wort makes your skin photosensitive to sunlight, so I dont think the sunglasses would be enough. Thankfully it's usually raining/snowing where I live this time of year so I don't think it will be a problem

[InfiniteSadness]

Can st johns wort work as well as prescription antidpressant?? i know many people say no, but im curious... since its 'natural'. its a big decision for me.

[shortandcute]

well, st. johns wort didnt work for me

[InfiniteSadness]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

well, st. johns wort didnt work for me

Did it do anything?

[costello]

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

Can st johns wort work as well as prescription antidpressant?? i know many people say no, but im curious... since its 'natural'. its a big decision for me.

I actually did some research on this several years ago. From what I learned, the research indicates that St. John's Wort is as good as an antidepressant for mild to moderate depression.

Here's what the NIH says (my bolding):

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/ataglance.htm

Although some studies of St. John’s wort have reported benefits for depression, others have not. For example, a large study sponsored by NCCAM found that the herb was no more effective than placebo in treating major depression of moderate severity, and a study co-funded by NCCAM and the National Institute of Mental Health found that neither St. John’s wort nor a standard antidepressant medication relieved symptoms of minor depression better than a placebo.

I tried St. John's Wort for a while and found it to be just as good as the antidepressant. I've never had major depression, though. Just minor. I see that the NIH is saying that neither St. John's Wort nor an AP is better than placebo for minor depression. No wonder I found them equally useful - and I stopped using both and turned to other methods which helped more.

One thing to keep in mind if your depression is minor: withdrawing from antidepressants can be difficult. Personally I had a rages and anxiety (which I'd never had before). Quitting the St. John's Wort was trouble-free, and it had no side effects.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

Did it do anything?

No, actually, it did nothing for me at all. But I have major depression. My daughter takes it, and it helps her a lot. Valerian helps me quite a bit tho.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

No, actually, it did nothing for me at all. But I have major depression. My daughter takes it, and it helps her a lot. Valerian helps me quite a bit tho.

p.s. i have never tried light therapy but my therapist strongly recommends it :O

[Khym]

Originally Posted by Gordian Mind

Has anyone tried SAD lamps and found them to improve thier moods? I have been considering buying one as I definately notice my depression is at it's worst in the dark winter months.

I have also been considering some natural remedies, one of which my partner told me about; St Johns Wort. I notice it comes in different dosages though so I don't really know where to start with it.

If anybody has advice or wishes to share their experiences please let me know.

Thanks.

I don't have a SAD light but I've put full spectrum bulbs in the living room lamps...there are five of them...and have them all on when it gets dark. I think they do help but I can't tell you how much. I do think they at least make the room less gloomy. I want to also suggest you find out what your vitamin D level is. I live in the Pacific Northwest where the winter nights are long and the days can be cloudy. Low vitamin D levels can worsen depression. I've tried St. John's Wort but didn't feel like it helped all that much. At the moment I'm using Rhodelia and Holy Basil. My nurse practitioner, who was a naturopath before going to medical school, suggested a safe dosage of both for me and I think they actually do help a little bit. But with depression you know that even a little bit of relief is a good thing. Good luck!

[bernardMARSHALL]

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

Can st johns wort work as well as prescription antidepressant?? I know many people say no, but im curious... since its 'natural'. its a big decision for me.

I found taking 1x1800mg St Johns Wort per day to be very effective for relieving SAD related mild depression. The only side effect was after about a month I started to get sore eyes. So I stopped taking St Johns Wort for a week at that time my eyes were no longer sore and I'm now taking 1x1800mg of St Johns Wort just every other day so as not to get sore eyes. I also have a daylight bulb in my living room but I cant say that this has had any effect certainly not as good as the St Johns Wort.

[InfiniteSadness]

do u take meds too ?

[Brokenfoxy87]

It not a bad place it didn't help me tho