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Seasonal Affective Disorder - What Works?

Our Lady Has Left the Building

10:22 / 24.01.05

OK, so I've self-diagnosed myself with this, wondered if any other Barbeloids have had it and what they found effective in dealing with it before I go trolling off to the doctors. I've tried St. John's Wort before and had no response, I've got a light box but whether it's the right type or not I don't know. 'Stay active' is really smart advice for something with the symptoms of lethargy, tiredness and depression!

lekvar

18:32 / 24.01.05

Find and use full-spectrum lightbulbs in every room if possible. They created or treated to give off a spectrum of light that mimics that of natural sunlight. The idea being that you can supply yourself whith what Mother Nature can't during this time of the year.

They are nice to have even if you aren't going through SAD. If I remember correctly they run about $6 (US). A little pricey, so maybe just install them in a room you spend a lot of time in.

Olulabelle

09:17 / 25.01.05

That's an excellent idea Lekvar. Do you means bulbs like the ones you can get for drawing and painting?

Our Lady Has Left the Building

14:21 / 25.01.05

Well, I've got this kind of light box that my Dad bought which is supposed to be for this kind of thing, whether it puts out the right kind of light or whether it's a cheap ripoff I suppose I won't know until I've spent some time trying it out.

Mazarine

21:03 / 25.01.05

I've had really, really good luck with plant lightbulbs. I just use them in a couple lamps I spend a goodly amount of time under. S.A.D. nearly killed me in Connecticut, but the following winter in Albany (even grayer) with the plant lights, I was utterly fine.

Mazarine

21:04 / 25.01.05

Oh, and they're way cheap, esp. compared to some of those lightboxes that go for $500.

I'm Rick Jones, bitch

05:45 / 26.01.05

Oof. Solidarity. SAD gets me real bad in winter, although I tend to have problems all summer round.

sine

20:32 / 28.01.05

I recommend transcranial magnetics. Not common, but if you can build it or find it, worth the effort in my experience.

Mazarine

04:39 / 29.01.05

But be sure to keep the magnets away from your computer.

sine

06:37 / 30.01.05

I dunno Sally...I s'ppose it depends how depressed my computer seems. Some days my RAM won't even get outta bed, and Lord knows a little "KER-ZAP!" is just what it needs to get moving. This may, however, explain why I hafta keep getting new laptops.

Seriously, though, TMS is offered professionally here and there, and is a viable alterative to the more invasive ECT. If you're any good with electronics, you can wire one up yourself fairly cheap - I believe the standard coil for their stuff is a figure 8, though I may be behind the times on that.

astrojax69

02:29 / 03.02.05

I believe the standard coil for their stuff is a figure 8, though I may be behind the times on that.

our centre's lab works with funky new TMS equipment and a figure eight is still in. (or is that infinity on it's side??)

as to advising home brew cranial magnetics, i'd check with a local academic institute using TMS what their ethics dept recommends as the maximum magnetic flux density (probably one tesla); certainly less than the motor threshhold! (if you begin to twitch, turn it down...)

i wouldn't be pfukking with my brain with this, but...

[btw: i am not actually a researcher, so don't have the whole tech shebang at fingertips - can prob'ly get it if needed..?]

Etruscan

16:39 / 03.02.05

Something that worked for me, when I was regularly self-inducing fits: 5-HTP. It's an herbal supplement, but -- unlike St. John's wart -- its action is specific and well understood. You take 5-HTP, your brain starts building serotonin: the neurotransmitter that regulates mood (5HT is serotonin, P stands for precursor). Which means a new, more chipper you. :b Also works great to recover from things like Ecstasy, which deplete your natural serotonin levels.

You might even lose a couple pounds. I took about 100-200mg/day for about a year. I still take it occasionally, but it seems that long term use might 'level you out' as your brain learns to produce the right stuff. Who knows.

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