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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
[from http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/203320.html]
> Anybody having success with light therapy?
Posted by Emme on February 25, 2003, at 8:38:40
In reply to lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
> > Anybody having success with light therapy?Feels good when it's on. Don't know if it's making a huge difference overall.
Emme
>
Posted by lynn3 on February 25, 2003, at 20:47:48
In reply to lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
I use a light box when the days start getting shorter late Oct. Nov. Dec. I stopped after the New Year because I kept telling myself the days are getting longer and of course they are. Yes, I do think the light box helped me. This is the second season I have used a light box. My dog loves to lay next to it too!
Posted by SBOATRN on February 26, 2003, at 7:26:40
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by lynn3 on February 25, 2003, at 20:47:48
I use a light visor. Probably should use it consistently, but fall short at times. It least it's portable. I think it does make me feel better and slightly more energized. It improtant for me to use it right after getting up. "Winter Blues" (I hope I did that right) book is a good resource.
Posted by Emme on February 26, 2003, at 7:33:43
In reply to lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
Those visors look interesting. If portability is an issue, go to www.litebook.com and check it out. The one I have is teeny and light. Measures about 6" x 6" x 1" and has an array of incredibly bright white LEDs. I liked the feel of a bigger box, but don't have the room. Of course with a visor you could walk around.
Emme
Posted by JohnL on February 26, 2003, at 7:45:49
In reply to lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
I found light therapy fairly useless.
> [from http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/203320.html]
>
> > Anybody having success with light therapy?
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Posted by syringachalet on February 26, 2003, at 11:21:22
In reply to lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
I have started using a lightbox because the past week I have not been able to get out of my house to work or anything else due to my pain control issues and the weather.
I find that my lightbox helps me not only feel calmer and more focused, it also helps my circadan rhythum (keeping my days and nights straight) while I am in this period of temporarly limited pain control.
syringachalet
Posted by noa on February 26, 2003, at 18:54:17
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by syringachalet on February 26, 2003, at 11:21:22
The benefit I feel with the light box is mostly in the area of wintertime loss of energy, difficulty waking in the morning, etc. And somewhat with mood aspects of depression, but less so. It relly addresses, for me, the SAD overlay that I get, above my regular depressive symptoms.
Posted by lynn3 on February 27, 2003, at 9:51:20
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by noa on February 26, 2003, at 18:54:17
In my opinion anything you can try such as a light box is worthwhile to fight serious depression.It's not a big investment and can work better than a lot of expensive medications.
Posted by Ilene on February 27, 2003, at 15:54:55
In reply to lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2003, at 2:11:43
> [from http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/203320.html]
>
> > Anybody having success with light therapy?
>
>
A qualified No.I got a lightbox for my sleep disorder (sometimes known as "delayed sleep phase syndrome"). With the help of that, and a few drugs, I have been fairly successful in keeping my circadian rhythm close to normal, and I don't suffer from insomnia and sleep deprivation as much as I used to.
I'm a serious night owl. I like to go to bed very late and get up very late. My entire circadian cycle wants to creep clockwise. It wouldn't be a problem if I was a hermit, but I need to do things when the rest of the world is awake. In fact, I sometimes feel better when I listen to the different (circadian) drummer and stay up till 3 AM.
I had the bright idea (yes, I said that on purpose) of keeping the light on longer, but even at 4 hours a day it didn't help my depression.
I'm not sure if all light boxes are created equal. You might need certain wavelenghts or intensities for light therapy to be effective.
Posted by noa on February 27, 2003, at 17:46:16
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok » Dr. Bob, posted by Ilene on February 27, 2003, at 15:54:55
Two thoughts. First, some of the companies have very liberal return policies so you can try out the light therapy for a month or two to see if it works for you.
2--from what I've read, studies show that best results are from at least 25-30 minutes per day of light at strength of 10,000 lux for help with depression. Many of the light boxes provide 10,000 lux at about 20-24 inches distance from your eyes. Light has to be able to shine into your eyes, although you don't have to stare directly at it. Some lights are stronger and you can sit a bit further away, though not much. My main light box provides 10,000 lux at 27 inches. The smaller lights, like the portable ones, you have to sit closer, like 12-15 inches, which you can do, or you can just sit in front of them for a longer period of time ( I have one of these at my desk at work, in my windowless office). I think the visors provide much less light power so you'd have to wear them many more minutes per day.
I believe the lights are effective if they are full spectrum, like outside (correct me if I'm getting any of these points wrong, please). I think most of the therapy lights also have UV protection as well, which is needed to protect our eyes. I thing that most of the light boxes are covered in front with screens that diffuse the light somewhat.
I am sure that as with other treatments, light therapy works for some people and not others, so if one is concerned about the investment, try to find a light box dealer or manufacturer with a liberal return policy.
Posted by BCI on March 6, 2003, at 12:07:24
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by noa on February 27, 2003, at 17:46:16
I am using a box for the first time this winter and I have found it helpful. I got mine from Alaskan Northern Lights. Look them up on the web.
Posted by Ilene on March 6, 2003, at 13:03:54
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok, posted by BCI on March 6, 2003, at 12:07:24
> I am using a box for the first time this winter and I have found it helpful. I got mine from Alaskan Northern Lights. Look them up on the web.
I think mine is from there. It has a handle and you can get a carrying case. I've taken it on airplanes as carry-on since 9/11. Sometimes it confuses the screeners, but I've never had more of a problem with it than with my shoes or hair dryer.
--I.
Posted by noa on March 7, 2003, at 17:33:38
In reply to Re: lightboxes - anybody using them? « hok » BCI, posted by Ilene on March 6, 2003, at 13:03:54
I also have one from Alaskan Northern Lights.
This is the end of the thread.
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