http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/light_therapy_time.htm

Here's a great site packed full of info about when to use light therapy (and when not) and when you click on it, in the left margin, they even have a DAWN SIMULATOR.........now that would be great to use when we have extended cloudy days!

they have various light box products too!

http://www.day-lights.com/why-the-day-light/index.html

http://hubpages.com/hub/SAD-Seasonal-Affective-Disorder-Therapy-Lamps-Review-Comparisons

Choosing a light to treat SAD

* Since lightbox therapy is effective at doses of 2,50010,000 lux be sure your lightbox fits within this range.
* A recommendation by a psychological or psychiatric institute
* Programmable options, or timed sessions

Thank you for all the great resources. That helps a lot!

I wasn't sure if the whole light box thing would help, and it seemed like a lot of money to spend on a "maybe". I bought a small and portable (size of a i phone) box from amazon for 32 dollars. It is a blue light. I think it is helping. I have it on now. I try to sit with it by my at my computer each morning. I also got one for my son. After this experiment (or when this dies) I am thinking of the hat one...so I can walk around and get stuff done. It is called a Zadro. It has spongy controls, and I actually unplug it to make sure it is off...but I have to say I think that it has helped somewhat. One of the first times I ever used it, I got so much done that day it was insane! I am also on Lexapro 10 mg. which seems to help the depression, but the low energy level, not so much. My last thing to add, which has really helped my son, is the regular aerobic exercise. I am more yoga and stretching...he is a personal trainer and he really is doing well with just exercise and the light box....so far. February and March are his worst times, so we will see. Try it.

You're welcome! I love digging on the net to find info. Helps me too. Did you read the article about the vitamin D?

When I was looking at the full spectrum site, I noticed something - the photo of the daybreak sparked something in my mind - something positive. You know what they say, for every thought a chemical follows and so, about light therapy, I really wonder if looking at gorgeous pictures on line would help equally as much? Does that make sense? I tend to get the same feeling with yellows on-line and I bet that seratonin is flowing.....maybe something new us SAD'ders could check out?

http://photohome.com/photos/sunrise-sunset-pictures/sunrise-sunset-pictures.html

I bought the Day-Light Sky lamp. Its really nice. Works great, looks nice, and is easily portable. I would recommend it.

Bells and whistles just pad the bill a basic Sunbox(R) unit ($200.00) is good. A dawn simulation feature which gradually increases the light may reduce eye strain but other than that don't waste your money.

There is some research available that recommends using your light box in the late afternoons if you have trouble going to sleep and wake up too early. I can see the point of this as it is extending your daylight hours. I have a verilux HappyLite that is 4500 lux and you can use for 3 hours a day, and also a phillips blue light that I use for about 30 minutes every afternoon.

What I really want is to see the sun though.

I'm looking at buying a light box but it's a lot of money to spend on a 'maybe'. Has anybody made good on the 30 day moneyback guarantee some retailers offer? Which retailers would you recommend so far as customer service goes?

Also, do you find the size matters, in terms of treatment effectiveness?