Best Light Box - New to forum

Hi Jodieh

Most studies have indicated that light therapy first thing is most effective, but people tend to try a few variations to see what works best for them and which also fits in with their schedule.

Treatment time is another variable, which can only be discovered personally by trial and error, and which also varies with the type of lightbox.

It is hard to recommend a lightbox, because most SAD suferers seem to fall in love with the first lightbox they buy if they perceive it as being helpful. Therefore everyone generally only recommends the lightbox or lightboxes which they own, and they may never have tried other lightboxes for comparison.

Be realistic about how big a lightbox your home can accommodate, or how portable it will need to be to ensure treatment adherence.

The efficacy of light therapy has only been shown to be statistically significant using large lightboxes (120 x 60 cm) based on fluorescent tubes. There is a current market trend towards producing much smaller units, which, although they have anecdotal support from users, have never been used in large scientific studies like the old, large lightboxes.

If possible, I would recommend getting the largest, most powerful lighgtbox on a trial period at first, to judge how effective light therapy will be for your husband. At least then you have something to compare against for optimum effect, if you later decide to try a smaller unit for its more convenient size and cost.

Most lightbox retailers offer a trial period, including our host Lumie; and most SAD sufferers can apparently decide within 3 weeks if light therapy is working.

Good luck

Jx

I use a Pharos from Outside In(which is now called lumie)it has changed my life.

I'm still in two minds whether to buy a light box. I wake very early, almost every day - so a dawn simulator isn't really going to do anything other than be a nice way of turning on a light. And, unless the weather is completely foul, I try to go out.

Even a winter night's sky can be therapeutic - if only to remind me that I'm only the tiniest part of the universe!

Made a decision yet jodieh?

I have two. I have a Lumie BRightspark which is fine. I also have a portable lamp which gets an awful lot of use, a Golite M2. I lie in bed with it on, sit at the computer, in the arm chair, put it on the kitchen counter while I'm working, have used it in the car, at work, all over the place.

I have a daylight 10,000lux and it helps me.