I was thinking of buying one of those light boxes, but they cost around £200, has anyone else ever used one and does it really work?
2006-10-15 08:25:16 · 11 answers · asked by jackie t 2 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Yes they do work, and you dont need to spend £200 either.
I suggest you shop around.
2006-10-15 08:31:50 · answer #1 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can make a homemade light therapy unit. Most hardware stores sell "full spectrum" light bulbs which is similar to the vitamins and minerals the sun naturally emit. This is the type of bulb my Dr. recommended. You can buy a ballast and place bulbs in it then place it somewhere within 2 feet of your body and use a timer that will turn on the light/lamp for 30 minutes before you wake every morning. You can also sit in front of the light throughout the day as well if you wish. I have SAD too. I also will go and stand outside in the winter months for 5-10 minutes a couple of times per day...you still get ultra violet rays which helps me tremendously.
2006-10-15 10:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't need to cost that much!!! Possibly around £60, but they need to be of appropriate brightness to have the desired effect and preferably be portable. Yes, they do work and the science behind the way they function is well-researched.
It is also worth looking at your home environment and making sure that your rooms are light, airy and bright. If, for example, your walls are dark brown and ceilings are black, this will not have a good effect on your mood! Good luck! ~RJS
2006-10-15 08:36:21 · answer #3 · answered by Rozzy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother uses one and he says that it works for him. He made his own by buying the lights and building a box to place them in. It works as good as an already made one. I have also heard that going to the tanning beds works too for S.A.D.
2006-10-15 08:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Stacy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a mental health practitioner working in a central London teaching hospital and specialising in community psychiatry I can tell you that light boxes have been used effectively in clinical trials for clients experiencing mental health symptoms. However, it is important to stress that if you have been precribed medication then you should remain compliant. Any changes should be in consultation and discussion with your medical practitioner. But on the whole light boxes have helped people with depressive type illness and have also been used by clients with a disgnosis of BPAD.
2006-10-16 00:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by joelyboy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They work if you suffer from SAD! Are you sure you do? Do you only get depressed in the winter? There are several small boxes on the market for much less - I saw a portable one in a health catalogue for around £50 - however to be effective a lightbox must emit a minimum of 2500lux so be sure to look for that.
2006-10-15 08:39:18 · answer #6 · answered by Druantia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes my parents use one and they claim that it does work. Also the Scandinavians use them a lot. They are suspiciously expensive though, not sure why they are so expensive because they just don't seem worth it. My old dad paid 170 squid for theirs. It is just a BOX after all.
They can also help with jet lag I believe.
2006-10-15 09:07:07 · answer #7 · answered by Not Ecky Boy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do work but a lot cheaper method is to buy natural light bulbs they about £3 each and if you replace few lights in your house has the same basic effect
2006-10-15 08:34:57 · answer #8 · answered by John "Freddie" West 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whilst in the UK I suffered. One winter I thoght I was going to die,
I packed up, sold up and moved to the Caribbean. Life couldnt be better now......
2006-10-17 02:18:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes don't buy the vizer type as it can lead to headaches
2006-10-15 08:40:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋