User manual DAY-LIGHTS QA

[. . . ] What is the difference between Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the Winter Blues?Many people, especially in northern latitudes where winter hours of daylight are fewer, complain of feeling down, havi ng less energy, putting on weight and having a hard time getting up in the morning. This is what we refer to as "having the Winter Blues. " Although there are variations among individuals, most people with SAD experience all of these symptoms, but to a mu ch greater degree. They are often chronically depressed and fatigued, and want to withdraw from the world. [. . . ] Two main hypotheses are postulated: · Bright lights work because they reset the daily body clock (i. e . , circadian rhythms) which, for people with SAD, tends to get out of balance during the winter; or · Bright lights work because they help increase the level of the ser otonin (a neurotransmitter that positively affects moods) which would otherwise decrease in the fall and winter. 8. How long does it take to experience the benefits of using bright light therapy?Response to light therapy is usually very quick, and most peop le will notice a marked improvement within one week. Similarly, a rapid recurrence of symptoms is experienced by most if they stop using their bright light system. Longer trials have also shown increasing response to light therapy after two weeks, with still more incremental improvements after three or four weeks. Therefore, it is recommended that you continue to use a bright light system for at least a month before concluding it will not help you. Could I get the same benefits by increasing the lighting in my home and office?If you are particularly light -sensitive, you may feel more uplifted with increased exposure to normal room lighting. However, research studies show that much higher light intensities (at least 2, 000 lux) are required in order to pr oduce the desired therapeutic effects, and it is just not possible using regular fixtures to get ambient lighting above 600 lux. Note also that medical experts caution against constructing your own bright light apparatus because of possible electrical haz ards, as well as the difficulty in determining adequate light intensity and ensuring ultraviolet (UV) light rays are properly filtered. You should be able to satisfy your need for light by spending more time outdoors during the fall and winter days, as long as you can be outdoors regularly and for extended periods of time if conditions are cloudy. Most people find that difficult to do if they work indoors and have to keep an office schedule. The use of a 10, 000 lux bright light system is therefore the most convenient way to get the light you need. Using a properly constructed bright light system as recommended is considered very safe, and few people have to desist use because of side effects. A few temporary side effects, such as slight nausea, tend to pass quickly as you get used to the high intensity of light. The majority of side effects, such as headache, eye strain, agitation, insomni a or difficulty getting to sleep, are caused by overdoing light therapy sessions. (In this case, it is possible to get "too much of a good thing. ") Such symptoms usually disappear when you decrease the "dosage" of light to your optimal level (usually in th e 20 to 30 minute range). If you have clinically diagnosed SAD, you may experience other personal variances which should be assessed and monitored by your doctor. If your depressive episod es are not seasonally triggered, it is unlikely that a bright light system alone will alleviate your symptoms. However, a bright light might help uplift your mood, and, if your doctor recommends it, can be used in conjunction with your medication. For tre ating SAD, bright light systems are recommended as the first -line, "gold standard" treatment. Many people enjoy remission of symptoms simply by using light therapy. [. . . ] During the session, you should NOT look directly into the light, but read, eat breakfast or do some paperwork. 18. 10, 000 lux for 30 minutes in the morning is what the experts recommend as a starting dosage for light therapy. Individuals may need to adjust the duration up or down from the 30 minute starting time, or use the light at a different time of day, depending on personal response to treatment. You can also get the appropriate dosage of light using a 2, 500 lux system for two hours per day, but obviously this is far l ess convenient for most people. [. . . ]