Has bright light therapy worked for you?

alpenglow · Dec 22, 2009

I've been looking into buying a portable light therapy device. www.litebook.com makes one that looks most convenient and appears to have some promising research results. This time of year especially, I find myself experiencing lack of motivation, anger, and a higher degree of anxiety about potential dreadful things that can happen. I wouldn't meet criteria for full blown OCD...probably more along the lines of a mild generalized AD with depressive and obsessive compulsive tendencies. The latest obsession is around car accidents. Unfortunately, I happen to work in a field where I see the results of that all the time...so it's not like I can say "Oh that's a ridiculous thought" because they can and do happen. I'd just like to moderate that fear a bit and be able to enjoy living more.

I really don't want to go the route of medications, and I've heard positive things about light therapy to treat SAD and mild anxiety/depression. I'm not sure about light therapy for OCD tendencies?

I'd really like to hear from experienced users if they've had positive, negative or neutral experiences with light therapy, what kind they used and for what indications. It's so difficult to tease out what is simple marketing propaganda vs. real true experiences...so I'm turning to beloved mothering for help

Thanks!

Satori · Dec 22, 2009

We haven't tried it simply due to cost but plan to at some point. I have heard from those who have used it and all have been positive but you need to be careful and not over use the light.

eccomama · Dec 28, 2009

i borrowed one from my gf and it has worked out pretty well especially on the rainy/overcast days. i am also on meds so not sure if it's the light box or the meds or both. i would try renting one or buying it second hand.
good luck.

vocalise · Dec 29, 2009

dot1, have you tried it yet?

If not, I just thought I'd add that I tried it recently, and it seemed to help a bit, especially with not needing as much sleep, but that it wasn't the 'answer' for me on a larger scale.

However, it's definitely worth a shot! Since you live in BC, if you have a London Drugs near you then you can rent a litebook for $2 a day. You pay a deposit, and they refund whatever portion you don't 'use' renting it. Pretty good way to take a test run without having to shell out the big bucks right away.

Also, just fyi, light therapy works best if you can angle it so it's coming from above eye level. Which I guess makes sense, since sunlight does that. But most devices don't tell you that in the instructions.

Good luck!

alpenglow · Dec 30, 2009

Thanks for your replies.
I've never tried it before - but I'm hoping it will help as I seem to do much better when I am outside lots. Not sure if it will be the answer, but I guess a first step....
I just located a seller who can give me a free demo - even better!

Would really appreciate hearing about any experiences people have had with light therapy.

Has bright light therapy worked for you?

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