SAD Light UK

So you live in the UK and suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder? Here are a few choices for you.

What is SAD?

SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is a form of seasonal depression which strikes every year from September to March. Some suffer for the duration while others have it for a shorter period within this six month interval. Have a look at my SAD wizz for more information.

You know the feeling of lethargy and depression that can sometimes overwhelm when faced by day after day of dark clouds, rain and cold. Unfortunately, days like this can describe the permanent condition of the UK. Though we always look forward to better weather and hope against all hope that this time the summer will last a bit longer than 'blink and you miss it', there is unfortunately no guarantee.

The weather does give us a lot to talk about however :-)

Do you suffer from SAD?

Seasonal Depression Treatment

Do you know the Seasonal Depression Symptoms?

In the UK, your GP can diagnose the condition for you but it may take several years for the pattern to emerge. Before declaring it SAD, it would at least have occurred over 3 winter periods. You may end up being diagnosed as having just depression before finally the pattern is spotted.

The process of diagnosis will include you being asked questions about

your lifestyle
your eating habits
anything from your personal history that may affect your present mood eg Foster care etc
anything from your family history that may show a propensity towards depression
your sleeping habits
most importantly, your mood

All this information will help the GP to determine to what degree you are suffering from depression. Finding out about the seasonal variation in your thinking will then help him/her determine if SAD is the culprit.

As the drugs used in depression are the same, you will probably end up being treated with SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) medication like Sertraline (Lustral), Fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Seroxat).

Remember Anti-depressants take a while to kick in so it is best to start before you start to experience symptoms and then carry on through until March.

Another way to treat SAD

Psychosocial Intervention like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, counselling, group sessions etc.

The One Show on Seasonal Depression Treatment

SAD Lights in the UK

As mentioned in the video, SAD lights are used as seasonal depression treatment. Light therapy is found to work in up to 85% of all diagnosed cases of SAD.

So what is easily accessible on the Internet?

Boots the Chemist stock a selection of SAD lights.

These can be slightly pricey as they start at £99 pounds but this is around the average minimum price you will pay. These SAD lights are made to fairly high specification so they do not come too much cheaper than this.

The idea is to focus on how much better you will feel as a result of Light Therapy.

The cheapest at 10000lux is the Lumie Arabica which comes in (at time of writing) at £119.99 but it can be obtained from Amazon (Lumie Arabica SAD Lightbox ) at twenty pounds cheaper. The reviews on the Amazon give you a picture of just how effective this SAD light is.

All you need to do is use for 30minutes first thing in the morning and voila! after a few days you feel so much better.

These are the rest of the SAD Lights you can pick up on Amazon. The Philips HF3330 is equivalent to the American HF3332 so have a look at the wizz on it.

Updated: 01/22/2012, MuminBusiness

Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?