How SAD can effect weight loss

I been working hard this summer to lose the weight but once again I am worried about SAD this winter. As many know SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression. For me it has always made me sluggish, a bit down and lack energy. I always seem to pile on the pounds aswell, holidays don't help I know but all I ever want to do is sleep.  I tried to research and thought that maybe getting a light box was going to help. Sadly they are about 150 - 200 pounds and being a students its not helping my wallet any. This summer I am going to try taking D3 suppliments atleast. Anyone have any suggestions?

If you aren't on any other medication, I  - as a person trained in phytotherapy (herbal medicine) - recommend that you get on TINCTURES of Saint John's Wort and Passiflora.  I, personally, recommend the Bioforce brand, which you can pick up at any good independant health food shop (don't bother looking at some place like Holland & Barrett).  They are strong and effective, but without the nasty side effects of the prescription anti-depressants out there.  Those blasted things have horrendous side effects that are more depressing than the depression in the first place.  And, the Saint John's Wort and the Passiflora Complex are non-addictive and non-habit forming, so you could just take them during the winter when you are prone to the attacks.  They are also relatively inexpensive.  A month's supply of both of these tinctures will cost you around £16.

You asked.  This is my best advice.  I wish you well, and I wish you health.

~A

Thanks for the advice, I would never consider anti-depressants, will look into it. My only question is this something different than the actual St Johns Wort. I heard that does not mix well with other meds

I have SAD and I got a lightbox year before last. It was the best money I ever spent. I got mine on ebay for £89. You should shop for one. I also got a dawn simulator alarm clock. I don't grudge one pence of this money.  Because SAD is directly related to light stimulating the brain's chemical balance, it stands to reason light therapy has greater efficacy than medical intervention.  Herbal remedies are medications...any substance that has a pharmacological effect is a medication. I think you should go with light therapy before resorting to meds of any kind. You will not regret it.

http://www.sada.org.uk/sjw-pr.htm 

 Please read the above link from the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association regarding St. John's Wort, and take note of this statement in particular:


"...Consequently, the SAD association does not recommend the use of any St. John's Wort product for treatment of SAD and will not do so, until UK clinical trials have taken place and SJW has been licensed as a bona fide prescription medicine."

Coming from the West coast where the issue of lack of light wasn't that big a deal, It is  good to know  I  wasn't going insane this  past winter.  I also experienced  a huge bout of depression especially after the holidays and coming back to  days that got pitch black dark at 4!!  I slept  for about 12-14  hours a day..gained weight and only got up in time  to  shower dress, and do my best ' Bree' impersonation  of happy wife and homemaker.. My husband had no clue.. then one  Saturday i just lost it.. completely broke down, so I am glad to know  It does happen  and  that I am not alone..

I never realised I suffer from SAD until I moved here and the darkness was more exaggerated. I knew I was depressed autumn to spring, but I thought it was because I was a teacher and hated my job and that's where it was coming from. Turns out it was also the light!!!

..... I thought it was because I was a teacher and hated my job and that's where it was coming from.

I think that actually WAS my problem!   

My only question is this something different than the actual St Johns Wort. I heard that does not mix well with other meds

It can sometimes interfere with birth control pills, so do be careful!!

Herbal remedies are medications...any substance that has a pharmacological effect is a medication.

I agree completely. I'm sure many herbal remedies are good and safe ... the problem is that we don't know enough about them to know which ones. At least, I feel that I don't know enough about them. Until the medical community really starts taking herbal remedies seriously, there won't be enough research and/or testing to make me feel comfortable taking them.

I think I'm going to cough up the money for a lightbox this year. I'm not sure lack of light has done any harm to my weight (I'm just as squishy in the summer! LOL.) but it definitely brings me down. Enough that I would be able to justify that sort of cash (or maybe more realistically, credit) outlay! I actually really enjoy winter weather - I like cozying up to the fire and cooking heavy risottos and I LOVE the first chill in the air in autumn, but the lack of light definitely brings me down....

Carla, what's the deal with the dawn simulator clock? Do you set it like a normal alarm clock and it gradually lights up the room? That sounds excellent. I have a zen alarm clock that I love for it's gentle wake up cycle, but it's not quite strong enough for me so I still have to suplement it with a regular "just in case" alarm set for the latest possible waking time.... I suspect I'd have to do the same with a dawn simulator!!

Carla, what's the deal with the dawn simulator clock? Do you set it like a normal alarm clock and it gradually lights up the room? That sounds excellent. I have a zen alarm clock that I love for it's gentle wake up cycle, but it's not quite strong enough for me so I still have to suplement it with a regular "just in case" alarm set for the latest possible waking time.... I suspect I'd have to do the same with a dawn simulator!!

The dawn simulator thing sounds like a great idea! I found this one online: http://www.healthy-house.co.uk/products/products.php?prod_gp_id=12&product_id=120  ... it has a built-in alarm, Anne, for your "just in case" worries!

I tried looking for lightboxes on eBay, but only found the kind you use for design, crafts, etc. Is there some other name for these things?

I tried looking for lightboxes on eBay, but only found the kind you use for design, crafts, etc. Is there some other name for these things?

The site that you found with the dawn simulator calls them "Brite Boxes" (http://www.healthy-house.co.uk/products/products.php?product_id=125&prod_gp_id=12) but that looks like just their own product name. Could you search under "light therapy" or "SAD" maybe?

Could you search under "light therapy" or "SAD" maybe?

You're so brite!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1277&item=5597402472&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

These seem so inexpensive that it makes me wonder if they're any good. Thoughts anyone who already has a lightbox?

I ordered my lightbox from a Canadian company that my shrink recommended (when I started using the lightbox, I stopped needing the shrink - mostly. ), Northern Light Technologies. (http://www.northernlighttechnologies.com/splash.php)  The lamp (I have the SADlite) is AMAZING, in both its effectiveness and price. Har. Luckily, it can handle the switch between US and UK voltages. They do ship internationally as well.

Thanks for that.  I read about this company last year.  SADly, I think we'll be needing it next winter..  I grew up in the north and I don't think I ever got used to the darkness.  February was always my worst month.