Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995
From: "Mary and Amani Jacobs"
Subject: SAD Page Update
Subject: Seasonal Affective Disorder (Winter Depression) Information
As has been my practice (since people have told me it has been helpful in past years), I have posted some information about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), otherwise known as Winter Depresson, at this time of year (autumn).
Research suggests that the pineal gland in the brains of some people are more highly sensitive to the loss of natural light, resulting in a host of symptoms, generally described as a "hybernation reaction" in the most sensitive of cases.
One might query as to "Why now?"--in September/ October--but the loss of light actually begins to be significant for some in the middle of August. In one case, a person began preparing for winter (the hybernation response) by buying rock salt on August 15th.
Studies indicate that "light banking" in the fall can help to prevent more significant symptoms in the winter, with January being the peak season for a host of difficult reactions ranging from depression (and suicidal ideation in the most severe cases) to sluggishness to carbohydrate-craving to loss of motivation to seeing everything in a negative light and interpreting the actions of others in the same negative light.
It is suggested that people begin to supplement their natural light in the early fall if they have significant symptoms during the winter, such as getting four hours of sun for four days in a row before October 15. "Catching up" on light later is much more difficult than prevention in the autumn when there are chances to use full-spectrum light indoors and also spend extended periods outside in natural light during non-office hours to keep one's internal store of light adequate, much as if one were a human photovoltaic cell.
In August and September, some people already begin to slow down, notice they have a more distinctly negative attitude, and tend to cry more easily and feel problems are suddenly insurmountable. When people return from a summer in the sun to poorly-lit offices, or offices without windows, the symptoms can worsten gradually without conscious note save for a general lowering/worstening of mood as the light fades.
In addition, there is new research suggesting the use of the hormone melatonin to relieve winter depression. A recent article in Newsweek in August, 1995 addressed this issue.
For these reasons I offer the information below for those to whom it might be of benefit. Even if you do not have symptoms now, you might want to save the information for later on if you tend to be sensitive to light deprivation.
The usual disclaimers apply that this is not medical advice, and is only information providced as a public service.
Mary Jacobs
[u45301@uicvm.uic.edu]
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Certified School Psychologist
----------------------------------------
Winter Depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder [SAD]) Information
-
"There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons--
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes--
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us--
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are."
--Emily Dickenson
From "Winter Blues":
-
"Like bears, squirrels, and birds, humans have
evolved under the sun. We have incorporated
into the machinery of our bodies the rhythms
of night and day, of darkness and light, of cold and
warmth, of scarcity and plenty. Over hundreds of
thousands of years, the architecture of our bodies
has been shaped by the seasons, and we have
developed mechanisms to deal with the regular
changes that they bring. We continue to respond to
these rhythms in the way we feel and behave.
For some of us, however, these changes can disrupt
our lives.
"The effects of the seasons on humans were all well known by the ancients, but were largely forgotten by modern medical practitioners until recently. . . ."
**Information About Sources of High Intensity/Full Spectrum Light**
Vitality Concepts, Inc.
Full Spectrum Lighting Specialists
Mary L. Okumura, President
1406 W. Summerdale Ave.
Chicago IL 60640-2116
(312) 275-1443
(800) 252-0220
FAX (312) 275-7997
-
She can order anything for you and usually
has it in stock so you get it in a few days.
OTT-Light (portable task lights and screw-in bulbs for lamps)
Environmental Lighting Concepts, Inc.
3923 Coconut Palm Drive #101
Tampa FL 33619
(800) 842-8848 (ask for Shannon Lane)
(813) 621-0058
FAX (813) 626-8790
-
They have desk-style task lights that fold up and are
both intense and full-spectrum, *and* portable,
so you can use them at work or on a computer station.
They also have broad-spectrum bulbs that screw into fixtures
like an incandescent light. This appears expensive,
but the bulb lasts for four years.
OTT BIOLIGHTSYSTEMS, Inc. (Light Boxes and Tubes)
28 Parker Way
Santa Barbara CA 93101
(800) 234-3724
FAX (805) 564-2147
E-Mail: ott@silcom.com
Duro-Test (Full-Spectrum "Vita Light" Flourescent Tubes)
9 Law Drive
Fairfield NJ 07007
(800) BUY-DURO
(201) 808-6622
The SunBox Company (Light Boxes, Light Visor, Books, Dawn Simulators)
19217 Orbit Drive
Gaithersburg MD 20879
(800) LITE-YOU (548-3968)
(301) 869-5980
E-Mail: sunbox@aol.com
Hydro/Aquatic Technologies (full-spectrum H.I.D lighting, hydra-and-aquaponic systems)
PO Box 777
Princess Anne MD 21853
E-Mail: aquaedu@shore.intercom.net
http://www.intercom.net/biz/aquaedu/hatech/index.html
Apollo Light Systems Inc. (Light Box)
352 West 1060 South
Orem UT 84058
(800) 545-9667
(801) 226-2370
-
Will guarantee therapy-- Money back if box does not work for SAD.
Bio-Brite, Inc.
7315 Wisconsin Ave. #1300 W
Bethesda MD 20814-3202
(800) 621-LITE (621-5483)
(301) 961-8557
-
(Light Visor, Light Box, Sunrise Alarm Clock/Dawn Simulator)
Enviro-Med (Light Box)
1600 SE 141st Ave.
Vancouver WA 98684
800-222-DAWN
Ask for Sherrie Baxter
For further information, see the book "Winter Blues" by Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D.
Write, including a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
-
Society for Light Research and Biological Rhythms
P. O. Box 478
Wilsonville OR 97070
Seasonal Studies Program
National Insitute of Mental Health
Building 10, Room 4S-239
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda MD 20892
(301) 496-2141
(301) 496-0500
Sun Net
P. O. Box 10606
Rockville MD 20850
For information on climate, length of the day, amount of sunlight, temperature, contact:
-
The National Climatic Data Center
Federal Building
Asheville NC 28801-2733
(704) CLIMATE (254-6283)
The "Winter Blues" book also lists physicians and programs in each state and internationally whom persons affected can contact directly.
From "Winter Blues":
-
"Despite all our modern discoveries, it is still
valuable to look back at ancient wisdom. As far as
SAD is concerned, no ancient writer offered more
cogent advice than the physician A. Cornelius Celsus
provided to melancholics during the reign of the
Roman Emperor Tiberius:
"Live in rooms full of light
Avoid heavy food
Be moderate in the drinking of wine
Take massage, baths, exercise, and gymnastics
Fight insomina with gentle rocking or the sound of running water
Change surroundings and take long journeys
Strictly avoid frightening ideas
Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements
Listen to music"
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