SAD Lamp and SAD Light Box Home Treatment

Choose a Seasonal Affective Disorder Lamp or Box for Home or Office

Nov 7, 2009

Dark winter days can make some people prone to depression. Using a SAD light box daily may relieve symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

There are now a number of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) light boxes on the market which make it much more convenient for the person suffering from seasonal depression to find relief. Whether at work or at home, it is possible to use the SAD light box daily without inconvenience. In addition, over the years prices have come down and SAD lamps and light boxes can now be found to suit every situation.

What Causes SAD?

The SAD Association, a charitable support organisation for those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, states that in the UK, SAD is recognised medically as a type of severe depression that begins in early autumn and ends around spring. If affects 2-3% of people in the UK, while 20% may suffer from a milder form.

Lack of enough sunlight through the eye is thought to be a factor in the onset of SAD. Without light to stimulate the hypothalamus in the brain, various functions that we take for granted are affected, such as mood, sleep and appetite.

The intensity of the light that enters the eye is important. Light intensity is measured in units known as lux. Sunlight in summer can be from 10,000 lux up to 100,000 lux. As the days grow darker and winter draws in, SAD sufferers may begin to notice various negative symptoms such as irritability, lethargy, overeating, anxiety, and lack of concentration, amongst others.

How A SAD Lamp or SAD Light Box can Help

A SAD lamp or light box can help to replace the light that SAD sufferers need to function normally. According to The SAD Association, up to 85% of people diagnosed with SAD have found light boxes and lamps effective.

The SAD light box replaces the lost light of summer or lack of sunlight in a bad summer. With regular use, a SAD light box may help alleviate symptoms. With a SAD light box or lamp, the minimum intensity for treatment is 2,500 lux which can be experienced by sitting about three feet (one metre) away from the standard light box. However, the different lux intensities of various boxes will mean longer or shorter periods of exposure.

For instance, the minimum intensity of 2,500 lux will mean exposure for two to six hours, while the maximum of 10,000 lux will mean exposure for 30 minutes to an hour. But these times can change depending on how near the sitter is to the light. Instructions on the chosen equipment will be very clear about exposure and distance.

SAD equipment should be level with the eyes, although it is not necessary to look into the light. In fact, reading, watching television and working on the computer can all be effective as long as the lamp is directed at the eyes.

Before investing in a SAD light box, consider renting one. A SAD light box can be rented through companies such as The National Light Hire Company Limited, with the option to buy if the trial period is satisfactory. They offer bedside lamps that slowly light up in the morning, desk lamps, visors, small pod-type boxes and many other stylish and convenient designs .

It may also be possible to rent a light box from the doctor’s surgery or local pharmacy. Even though light boxes cannot be obtained on prescription, they may be VAT-exempt.

Think about the most convenient SAD light box for a particular situation. It may be useful to have one on the desk at work, or at home, or both. On the other hand, a box that lights up the whole room may be convenient if there are a number of people who might benefit, perhaps in a conference situation.

Bear in mind that it takes approximately four weeks for a SAD light box to be effective and it has to be used every day. It is wise to begin using the light box before symptoms appear, say in early September.

Seek Advice and Support for SAD

Seek advice from professionals such as your doctor or health visitor. Find information and support by joining The SAD Association. They are a voluntary organisation and registered charity and have no vested interest in promoting SAD light boxes commercially. You can find out more about The SAD Association on their website.

Instead of dreading the winter months, a SAD light box may be a positive choice. Unless there are other traumatic events that are causing seasonal depression, for which help must be sought, it may just be that lack of light during the winter months could be the main problem.