Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a
type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD
begins and ends at about the same times every year. If
you're like most
people with SAD , your symptoms start in the fall and continue
into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you
feel moody
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Some people experience a serious mood change during the winter
months, when there is less natural sunlight. This condition
is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a type
of depression. It usually lifts during spring and summer.
"In people who have Seasonal Affective
Disorder, the brain has difficulty regulating serotonin,
a neurotransmitter that
is believed to be responsible for balancing mood. These difficulties
are exacerbated when the body has less exposure to sunlight,
as occurs during the shorter days of winter. At this point,
the lack of sunlight leads to depleted levels of serotonin
in the parts of the brain where it can boost the mood, leading
to depression. In addition to seasonal changes of serotonin
levels for individuals affected by SAD." source
Not everyone with SAD has the same symptoms. They include
Sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Changes in weight
Thoughts of death or suicide
Get Help SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy
From green light soothing the pain of migraine,
to blue light reducing organ damage during surgery, recent
small studies
have uncovered some intriguing effects of this therapy. But
apart from easing seasonal affective disorder, we’ve
been slow to embrace light as a serious contender for treating
neurological conditions.
"He presented data at the Society
for Light Therapy and Biological Rhythms conference in
Berlin in June, which showed that people recovering from
strokes score lower for depression and fatigue, and show
more robust circadian rhythms when exposed to solid state
lighting. “The effect was comparable to giving
patients antidepressants,” says West. " Source
NewScianist |
"We’ve known for 15 years that a special
kind of receptor in our eyes transmits information directly
to the body’s
master clock, as well as other brain areas that control mood
and alertness. These cells are particularly responsive to bluish
light, including sunlight.
These receptors enable light to act as a powerful
reset switch, keeping the clock in our brain synced to the
outside world.
But this clock can fall out of sync or weaken as part of ageing
or a range of disorders – a problem doctors are now starting
to treat with light. Read
more:
"Because of its link with lack of sunlight, one of the most
common treatments for SAD is light therapy. This can take the
form of regular use of a light box that produces bright, blue-enriched
light. Increased exposure to natural sunlight can help too – indeed,
exposure to sunlight soon after waking has been found to be
as effective for general depression as antidepressant drugs.
Source:New Scientist
The Mayo clinic states Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal
affective disorder (SAD) and certain other conditions by exposure
to artificial light. SAD is a type of depression that occurs
at a certain time each year, usually in the fall or winter.
During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called
a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics
natural outdoor light.
Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked
to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy
box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders
and other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright
light therapy or phototherapy.
You may want to try light therapy for a number of reasons:
Light therapy is used as a treatment for several conditions,
including:
SAD
Types of depression that don't occur seasonally
Jet lag
Sleep disorders
Adjusting to a nighttime work schedule
Dementia
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Your doctor recommends it for seasonal affective disorder
or another condition.
You want to try treatment that is safe and has few side effects.
You want to increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medication or mental
health counseling (psychotherapy).
You need to avoid antidepressant medications during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
It may allow you to take a lower dose of antidepressant medication. Source
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SAD Therapy Light
12000 Lux
Twin Color: White and Warm white
Dimmer
Timer Control
Auto shut down
Certification: CE
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Certification: ROHS
Warranty: 1 Year
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