Light boxes for SAD? Anyone found these helpful?

[liath]

Before I fork out £££. I usually feel crap this time of year but this winter is worse and I'm really struggling. Not sure whether to get a light box or go begging the GP for prozac TBH.

I would be interested too. I am also miserable after Christmas but have been a bit meh for the last few weeks too - definitely think this winter has been darker than others....

I have one (in fact I have 2 as have just upgraded to a portable, rechargable one) - definitely helps esp with sleep and energy levels. The only problem is finding the time to sit in front of the thing without being distracted by children. In my experience the effect kicks in faster than anti-depressants (just a few days vs. 2-4 weeks) but not quite as effective for really low periods. I have used it previously at the same time as citalopram to good effect.
Most sellers seem to offer a moneyback guarantee if it doesn't work for you.
Hope that helps - I am happy to answer any more questions you have about it too.

We rent one of the more powerful lightboxes, which we all use for about 1/2 an hour in the morning and felt that it gave good results. It costs around £36 per month but the boxes which give out less lux are much less.

Our house has tiny windows (one per room) so there is little natural light even in the height of summer.

We found that it helped to set a good sleeping pattern at night and we all felt a bit more awake during the day.

Thanks very much, I've ordered one (decided it can be a birthday present to myself) plus industrial quantities of St John's wort. So of course I feel a bit better now and am wondering if I really need it! Although by past experience I tend to have what feels like permamnent PMT until March. The kids go to be fairly early so I should be able to get some light-time in the evenings.

Hi, will be interested to hear your experience as I'm thinking of getting one to combat day-time sleepiness and production of melatonin. However Liath, you mention the evenings - I don't think you should be using it in the evenings? I believe the lightbox will encourage the shut down of melatonin production which you want to happen early in the day, not late.

Gentle - where do you rent one from? That sounds a good idea!

My sil uses one which she swears has changed her life. I can't bear to look at it!

Thought I'd update this as I have found the light box helpful so far. I've no idea if it's all psychosomatic but I do feel like I've more energy and have been less irritable. More energy means I've been doing more exercise and that always lifts my mood so all in all I think it was worth buying.

Thanks for the update. What sort did you get? Was it a white light or a blue one?

It's a Lumie on ("arabica") and is white light.

I got a Lumie white one on Ebay a few years back and it changed my life!

Well worth the £££, IMO.

More energy, better sleep, feel more refreshed.