Hi everybody. I have bipolar pretty severely, and it's always far worse in winter than in summer. I was wondering if going to a tanning bed would help at all? I'm pretty fair complected so I don't tan normally, even in summer I don't lay out. But I'm curious if light tanning maybe once a week would help with my depression?
Thanks!
2007-12-13 05:11:34 · 21 answers · asked by Crash 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
For those of you who informed me about light boxes for SAD, thank you very much.
For the idiots who tried to imply that I thought getting a tan would make me happy, go back under your rock. I AM under medical care, I forgot to ask my doctor at our last visit and I don't go again until in January. I know getting a tan itself isn't going to make me feel better. I know about SAD and assumed that's what's going on. I asked about tanning beds because I've never been told about light boxes.
Now that the knowlegable and polite people on here have told me about it I will definatly look into it and get one. I was hoping there was a better solution than tanning.
I'll also try out getting some vitamin D and see how that works. Thanks to all those who actually helped me instead of insulting me.
2007-12-13 05:43:09 · update #1
No. Tanning beds ruin skin. You are thinking of a light box for SAD, which is not the same light as tanning beds. That is safe, it is like natural sunlight and will help your mood.
Also, try taking vitamin D and calcium, sit outside in the sun for about 15 minutes a day, even if it's just your face. Watch what you eat, carbs can really make it worse (breads, etc.), and no sugary foods (sugar is a depressant as is alcohol).
2007-12-13 05:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by MadforMAC 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Tanning and Depression?
Hi everybody. I have bipolar pretty severely, and it's always far worse in winter than in summer. I was wondering if going to a tanning bed would help at all? I'm pretty fair complected so I don't tan normally, even in summer I don't lay out. But I'm curious if light tanning...
2015-08-13 15:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being in the UVA and UVB rays weither it is in a tanning bed or out in the natural sun helps you process Vitamin D, which helps process a hormone that regulates depression. Not getting enough of these *rays* makes for a lower level of this hormone, leading to depression.
Tanning lotion will not help. Try sitting near sunny windows or even buying one of those desk lamps that give off UVA/UVB rays. This will perk you up alittle.
If the depression persists, you should see your physician.
2007-12-13 05:20:37 · answer #3 · answered by LABSCIENCEROX 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'd say that a special 'light box' would be better for you. Sounds to me like you have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
They're not sun beds, but they stimulate natural sunlight. Have one on by your desk and one by your bedside table for at least an hour a day.
I'm not sure where you live, though. I've got results for sun lamps from the UK
2007-12-13 05:18:00 · answer #4 · answered by swelwynemma 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you get enough vitamin D 500 units a day Seasonal depression is caused from a defficiencey of Vit D the sunshine vitamin.
2016-03-18 23:08:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you think that by getting a tan will help you with your depression?
2007-12-13 05:18:53 · answer #6 · answered by xcluesivebabe 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I wouldn't do that. Tanning beds are very bad for your skin health. Maybe find other ways to combat your weather-induced depression....turning on bright lights, lighting a fireplace, burning a candle....etc.
2007-12-13 05:15:15 · answer #7 · answered by chicabonita 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am not too sure if tanning will help or not, what I know does help is getting a full spectrum lamp.. it is actually normal to get like that in the winter! Tanning may help, I just am not too sure.
2007-12-13 05:15:05 · answer #8 · answered by burgler09 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've heard that to i have bi-polar to and i have not heard that about vitamin d i do take vitamin b-12 it helps with the nervous system i can take about 5 a day if i need it i like a more natural approach medicine makes me groggy and i don't like the way it makes me feel.
2007-12-13 06:20:36 · answer #9 · answered by dirt77 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It does. Anything that stimulates your melanocytes will make your pituitary gland increase the amount of endorphins in your bloodstream.
HOWEVER, tanning beds and tanning lamps and pretty much any kind of exposure to those amounts of UV radiation, cause skin cancer.
So maybe you´ll be happy this winter but not ten years from now when you have to undergo chemotherapy and all your hair falls off. I don´t know about you, but for me, even all the endorphins and Vitamin D in the world aren´t worth going bald for.
If you´re bipolar you should just take Prozac. Ask a doctor, they´ll tell you the same.
2007-12-13 05:21:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋