Hello secretme, and welcome to the forum! To shed some extra light (pun not intended) on the topic of SAD, I hope you'll read through some of the other threads, where you'll also find links to some helpful websites.
To answer your questions the best I can:
What got me this far has been mainly my own research. I have been diagnosed with depression, but not specifically with SAD. For me it's sort of a moot point, because I can (and have) become depressed at any/every time of year, and that sort of takes in SAD. I took it upon myself to do some of my own research, because my doctors didn't seem very informed about it. In fact, I believe they are learning from me - how's that for backward? In any case, they're supportive of my use of light therapy because it seems to be good for me.
As for needing a certain type of light, daylight is helpful, room lighting is helpful, but for maximum effect you need a light specifically made for SAD treatment. The difficulty is in wading through all the marketing claims when shopping for one.
Tanning beds do not, repeat not, help with SAD. The light must enter through the eyes in order to work.
I wish I knew of a way to determine whether a person needs light therapy or drugs or both, but it's pretty much trial and error; that's where psychiatrists come in.
Let me stress the fact that using a SAD light requires the same respect as drugs do, and can need fine tuning. Also, some people are prone to mania if they overdo the light, and some people have sensitive eyes, so those things have to be taken into account.
I hope you'll continue to ask as many questions as you like - it's the best way of finding things out!
To answer your questions the best I can:
What got me this far has been mainly my own research. I have been diagnosed with depression, but not specifically with SAD. For me it's sort of a moot point, because I can (and have) become depressed at any/every time of year, and that sort of takes in SAD. I took it upon myself to do some of my own research, because my doctors didn't seem very informed about it. In fact, I believe they are learning from me - how's that for backward? In any case, they're supportive of my use of light therapy because it seems to be good for me.
As for needing a certain type of light, daylight is helpful, room lighting is helpful, but for maximum effect you need a light specifically made for SAD treatment. The difficulty is in wading through all the marketing claims when shopping for one.
Tanning beds do not, repeat not, help with SAD. The light must enter through the eyes in order to work.
I wish I knew of a way to determine whether a person needs light therapy or drugs or both, but it's pretty much trial and error; that's where psychiatrists come in.
Let me stress the fact that using a SAD light requires the same respect as drugs do, and can need fine tuning. Also, some people are prone to mania if they overdo the light, and some people have sensitive eyes, so those things have to be taken into account.
I hope you'll continue to ask as many questions as you like - it's the best way of finding things out!
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