Posts: 2036
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted November 16, 2006 09:22 AM         

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Does any one suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or know someone who does? I am beginning to think I am, but not too sure!

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Posts: 2983
From: Stafford, VA USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted November 16, 2006 09:50 AM         

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I know several people who do. This is a hard time of year, and we don't get enough sun light. I think that has alot to do with it.

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Posts: 2036
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted November 16, 2006 12:04 PM         

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I also think it has alot to do with a lack of light. But, SAD, is similar to depression and now I am worried I might be diagnosed with depression again. But, I am leaning towards SAD because the symptoms started with the change in weather. So...

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Posts: 8213
From: piopolis, quebec canada
Registered: Jul 2005

posted November 16, 2006 12:16 PM         

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going to the tanning salon once a week..helps..I think I'll be going soon..
for a little photosynthesis..Growing!

Also..visualize your body protected from any harmful rays..while tanning artificially or natural..tanning does not have to harm your skin..the universe works with you..protects you..just ask..God is listening. ...

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Posts: 8213
From: piopolis, quebec canada
Registered: Jul 2005

posted November 16, 2006 12:21 PM         

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you know..it's been over two years since I have been to a tanning salon..
as I remember..I always felt so energized after wards...I felt really good...
hmmm..I think this weekend I will go

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Posts: 2036
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted November 16, 2006 12:27 PM         

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Thanks Lotus!

I see you are from Piopolis How far is that from Montreal?

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Posts: 8213
From: piopolis, quebec canada
Registered: Jul 2005

posted November 16, 2006 12:30 PM         

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hehe..I am in NH, Now, Piopolis to Montreal..a little over two hours. ...

I was born in Sherbrooke..and we moved here when I was two..I grew up in NH

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Posts: 2036
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted November 17, 2006 09:47 AM         

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I have made an appointment to see the doctor next week Tuesday.

Lotus- NH? New Hampshire? I should have mentioned before, but I am not from Canada.

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Posts: 931
From:
Registered: May 2006

posted November 17, 2006 11:10 AM         

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Posts: 1908
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 17, 2006 04:32 PM         

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Hi Yang. I never used to get this when I lived in California, but last year and this year living in Boston my mood starts to become depressed in nov and and lasts until february.

I think a tanning salon is a good suggestion. They also make really bright lights that are supposed to help with this. I haven't been proactive enough to try either of these yet though.

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Posts: 8213
From: piopolis, quebec canada
Registered: Jul 2005

posted November 17, 2006 09:23 PM         

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Yes..New Hampshire..where are you from Yang?
BlueRoamer...hmmm, Boston..Gee..we should have some tea, some day!

I'm going tanning tomorrow..yippee!, hehe

at Sol Sisters, LOL

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Posts: 61
From: MN USA
Registered: Oct 2006

posted November 18, 2006 03:41 AM         

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I have SAD. I was prescribed a light box, and it really helps. They also make natural light bulbs. The more light the better. Even on cloudy days keep the shades open, & turn on the lights.

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When the student is ready the teacher will appear.
Kim

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Posts: 10622
From: the stars
Registered: Jun 2004

posted November 18, 2006 04:33 AM         

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I"m pretty sure I'm affected by this. I'm not at all looking forward to winter. I can't get out of bed in that season and reallly miss the sunlight. I eventually want to move to a more tropical place.

a tanning salon may help. when I was younger I suffered from bad cases of psoriasis (cap rising) and once in awhile i'll get a little patch now, though not for awhile. i hear tanning salons can help this too...

thanx.

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Posts: 10622
From: the stars
Registered: Jun 2004

posted November 18, 2006 04:35 AM         

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hey, i've heard about those natural light boxes too!
maybe i'll ask Santa for one. lol

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Posts: 2036
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted November 18, 2006 08:56 AM         

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Lotus- I am originally from South Africa but now living in England (for the time being).
In fact, I live in a county called: Hampshire

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Posts: 8213
From: piopolis, quebec canada
Registered: Jul 2005

posted November 18, 2006 01:00 PM         

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WOW! Yang

I'd love to visit both places!

Hampshire..old names, carried to the New World

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Posts: 49
From: Virginia
Registered: Nov 2006

posted November 18, 2006 04:15 PM         

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Yep count me in the S.A.D. group...This time of year I should be hibernating until April...

Light box sounds interesting, must go research this...Thanx...

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Posts: 27
From:
Registered: Aug 2005

posted November 22, 2006 01:15 AM         

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Yep, I am now nocturnal and slightly glum. No idea why this happens, but it's a seasonal pattern (I had a nice long break from it in SoCal, but no more).

My dad bought me a Solux lamp last year, which really does help quite a bit. I have the small desk task lamp. It's designed to approximate sunlight.

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Posts: 2036
From: A temporary home
Registered: May 2004

posted November 22, 2006 09:54 AM         

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Hi guys

I went to see the doctor yesterday, and all I can say is that I was NOT HAPPY with the consultation!
Basically, he didn't say what I had but I guess he knew I would have S.A.D or depression. Also, he didn't prescribe me any medication but only gave me a few numbers for counselling. And the cheek of it was he said I must see him again in a month's time. I left the room feeling worse than when I went in.
Therefore I have booked another appointment, for a different doctor, for a second opinion. Next week.

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Posts: 2278
From: upstate NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2004

posted December 01, 2006 10:16 AM         

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I think you did the right thing, wanting a second opinion. I suffer from SAD and it took quite awhile for my doctor to really catch on to what was up despite me talking to him about it a lot.

I didn't get a light box because they can be so expensive, but my SAD is mild so what I do is spend at least a half hour every day outside in the winter (I picked up bird watching as a hobby, and I do winter photography sometimes) and it helps. And with any depression, I noticed mild exercise does wonders!

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Posts: 285
From: norfolk, virginia USA
Registered: May 2006

posted December 01, 2006 12:37 PM         

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use red lightbulbs guys-it works!!

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Posts: 773
From: :::Libra Sun / 29* Gemini Rising / Aquarius Moon:::
Registered: Jul 2005

posted December 01, 2006 02:07 PM         

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Ok you guy might think this a bit weird, but that's ok with me! Humans physical forms are slowly, but surely, changing. Therefore we now need much more Sun Light as sustenance, as if it were food!

Sounds like most everyone knows that one can get special lights to duplicate Sun light. I've read that one should get a 'balanced spectrum fluorescent light'.

quote:

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Three key elements
Light therapy is most effective when you have the proper combination of intensity, duration and timing:

Intensity. The intensity of the light box is recorded in lux, which is a measure of the amount of light you receive at a specific distance from a light source. Light boxes for light therapy usually produce between 2,500 lux and 10,000 lux, with 10,000 lux being typical. In contrast, the lighting in an average living room in the evening is less than 400 lux, while a bright sunny day may register 100,000 lux. The intensity of your light box may also determine how far you sit from it and the length of time you need to use it. The 10,000 lux light boxes usually require only 30 minutes per session, while the 2,500 lux light boxes may require up to two hours per session.

Duration. Light therapy typically involves daily sessions ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. When you first start light therapy, your doctor may recommend treatment for shorter blocks of time, such as 15 minutes. You gradually working up to longer periods.

Timing. For most people, light therapy is most effective if used in the morning, after you first wake up, rather than during the evening. Doing light therapy at night can disrupt your sleep.

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quote:

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Other treatments
Outdoor light, even when the sky is overcast, provides as much or more light than a light box. There has been a study showing improvement in SAD symptoms when individuals took a one-hour daily walk outside. Outside light is often brighter than the light boxes. Spending an hour outside each day can often produce beneficial results in some individuals. However, one cannot get early morning outside light in the winter. Not everyone's job will allow for an hour-long outside walk. Only highly motivated people will continue their daily walk when it the rains or snows.

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Hope that helps at least a tiny bit!

Be Well

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Posts: 2983
From: Stafford, VA USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted December 01, 2006 03:11 PM         

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Amen, Hexxie

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Posts: 3480
From: Australia
Registered: Jan 2004

posted December 02, 2006 09:10 PM         

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Hey VTT !!! Nice to see you back!

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Posts: 17
From:
Registered: Nov 2006

posted December 02, 2006 10:02 PM         

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Hey VTT, bird watching=very cool!

I"m trying to go on long walks earlier in the day. It seems to be helping. I try to get my face in the sun as much as possible.

I read somewhere that tanning booths are bad as the UV can contribute to skin cancer.

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