Comments: Let There Be Light
It's especially surprising to see that this piece was written by Richard Friedman who, from my recollection, has not always been so open to alternative treatments for mood disorders. I'm pretty sure he used to be a big drug pusher and probably still is frankly.
Posted by Sara at December 19, 2007 09:45 AM
I read the article. It is good that drugs aren't pushed but this paragraph struck me:
"Why did the normal patients show no seasonal change in melatonin secretion? One possibility is exposure to industrial light, which can suppress melatonin. Perhaps by keeping artificial light constant during the year, we can suppress the “natural” variation in melatonin experienced by SAD patients."
In other words what the article is really saying is that SAD is not caused by a brain disorder, it's what happens to humans who don't get enough exposure to light. Next thing you know that intense focus on finding something to drink when one is thirsty will be classified as FAD, Fluid Affective Disorder.
Posted by Sally at December 19, 2007 10:24 AM
That's a good article. It reminded me of one i came across a while back, are you awake?: blue light special.
Discussing the circadian rhythm, and using blue and green light, it's interesting.
Posted by Stephany at December 19, 2007 10:52 AM
sunlight does produce serotonin in the brain, and 15 minutes a day in real sunlight or lights that resemble it do make a difference. serotonin is also interestingly produced in the gut. often called , 'the 2nd brain' for that reason. this is why psych wards don't get ppl. well[among other obvious reasons], not enough outdoor time in sunlight. also, the positive and negative ion thing [did i spell that right?]really does make a difference in mood. in dry hot santana wind weather, i have noted people become quite agitated, and actually flip out, and unable to think. one Prof i know dreaded santanas, all he could do was draw a straight line across the board instead of words. he always attributed it to those winds. i personally get a boost when clearly i need one; when i breathe the damp air at beaches or in wooded areas. also, if not near any of those places--this is why ppl feel better after taking a shower. i'm not a scientist, we know that--but am a good observer.
Posted by Stephany at December 19, 2007 04:39 PM
How intriguing the concept of "normal patients" quoted by Sally is to me. What the hell is a "normal patient"? Wouldn't that be um, a "person"???
And what's an "abnormal patient"?
And why do I feel I'd probably be tossed into the second catagory...
Just curious.
Sherry
Posted by Sherry at December 20, 2007 05:48 AM
Sherry, good point about "normal patients." Also Stephany raises a good point about how people confined in psychiatric hospitals don't get enough light. When I was locked in the snake pit, at 1000 dollars a day, we were not allowed to go outside. We pretty much sat around taking drugs and watching tv and of course eating. I've thought before that not being allowed fresh air was enough to drive anyone crazy (not to mention having to watch fox news on tv). If you are in jail or prison, even in solitary, you have a right to fresh air on a daily basis as denying that right is considered cruel and unusual punishment...not so for psych patients.
Posted by Sally at December 20, 2007 06:35 AM
It's a wonder they never seem to mention relocation therapy for SAD.
For 20 years I grew up in New England. My mother, brothers, sisters and I had SAD every single year.
Then I moved from Boston to Sacramento, and later San Francisco. I chose apartments with huge windows.
You can go outside year round in this region. You can talk walks in a warmish sun all winter long.
Since I moved to California, I have been free of SAD for 10 years. In the meantime, my east coast family, locked into their old houses all winter with old fashioned tiny windows. They get SAD every single year.
It is probably a good thing relocation worked for me. Their light therapy would never work on me.
I am highly sensitive to fluorescent lighting. It hurts my eyes, makes my head buzz and gives me headaches.
30 minutes in the morning of fluorescent lighting would be an awful way to start my day. That would pretty much guarantee that I am short tempered, stressed and unable to concentrate before breakfast.
Posted by Jane at December 22, 2007 10:57 AM