Light Boxes?

[Greenwings]

I'm interested in trying a light box but am a little put off by the cost. Someone, somewhere suggested buying the bulbs and putting them into a regular fixture. But, isn't there something special about the fixtures? If not, does anyone know if the bulbs come in standard sizes that will fit any fixture, like say, a regular desk lamp?

[doreen T]

Bright light therapy is very helpful for mild to moderate seasonal depression; I've been using my lightbox since the clocks went back to Standard Time. There's also research underway using bright light therapy to help with night-time binge eating disorder ... supposedly a 15-minute treatment late in the afternoon will help to suppress hormones that trigger the urge to binge at night. Only problem is that it might interfere with getting to sleep.

I know they're expensive .. but it's an investment that will last for many years. I'm so glad I gave in and bought mine. The one I have is like a desklamp and doesn't take up too much space .. I can fold it out of the way when not in use. The problem with home-made lightboxes is that you need to use up to 8 long fluorescent bulbs to yield sufficient intensity (preferably cool white .. some suggest full-spectrum bulbs, but those emit too much ultra-violet light to be safe without a refractive shield) And you have to sit very close to them in order to achieve the full benefit. Here's some info. from CircadianSolutions (http://www.circadiansolutions.com/index.html) ..
What intensity is needed and for how long?
Most people who suffer from SAD or winter blues use a 10,000 lux therapy early in the morning for about one-half hour. 10,000 lux is 20 times the intensity of average indoor lighting. Timing of light therapy varies for each individual. Most people who use a full-size lightbox can reduce their treatment time to an average of 15 minutes per day once they notice a response.

A 10,000 lux therapy is what most doctors recommend. However, a 60 watt bulb will produce 10,000 lux if you sit ½ inch away. If you can't be a comfortable distance from light therapy unit you won't complete the therapy and you will not experiece any beneficial effect. Cheap lightboxes advertise 10,000 lux even though one may have to sit as close as 8 inches to the unit.
The one I bought is called a SADelite .. there's a picture of it here (http://www.enviromartinc.com/Appliances/SadElite/SadElite.htm) just to give an idea what it looks like, and how close you need to be for it to work properly. Of course there are other good products available too.

hth,


Doreen