Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Thursday, 30 Jul 1992 01:05:38 CDT
From: Brady Woodward <U56503@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.suicide.holiday
Subject: Re: Winter Depression?
 <1992Jul28.150054.8334@linus.mitre.org>,<92211.015736U56503@uicvm.uic.edu>
 <1992Jul29.134746.16452@news.cs.brandeis.edu>

In article <1992Jul29.134746.16452@news.cs.brandeis.edu>,
rath@binah.cc.brandeis.edu says:
>
>In article <92211.015736U56503@uicvm.uic.edu>, U56503@uicvm.uic.edu (Brady
>Woodward) writes:
>>In article <1992Jul28.150054.8334@linus.mitre.org>, sokay@cyclone.mitre.org
>>(Stephen J. Okay) says:
>>
>>>As for SAD, I'm almost convinced that I am affected given the fact that
>>>I happen to get horribly depressed during the fall and winter, esp. here in
>>>Va. where its always so cold and dark and rainy during the winter. About the
>>
>>Same thing here in Chi.  I get out my lights usually about the second
>                                       ^^^^^^
>WHere might one find such lights, besides outside?
>                        --rich

The following is my opinions for information purposes only.  I don't work
for this company and I cannot give professional advice on this
product--only personal experience.  Unfortunately, I get nothing
for recommending their products to others besides the satisfaction
of making someone's winter cheerier perhaps.  My only claim is that
they work for me and a winter depression study I called here in
Chicago said that they use them too.  Beyond that, it is the reader's
responsibility.

I have used the "Vita-Lite" by Duro-Test for about seven years now.
It is the closest thing to full-spectrum that I have found and this
is the light I am aware of that is used in winter depression
research that I have read.

The address of the company is:
Duro-Test
9 Law Drive
Fairfield, NJ  07004
(201) 808-1800

They also have a toll-free number used for ordering and information.
It is (800) BUY-DURO

The prices are not cheap.  The last time I bought the 20-watt
"power twist" Vita-Lites, they were $17.52 each.  But they last for
years and years.  I have them on by my computer and use them several
hours a day--every day--from the second week in October through March.

I have done this all on my own through reading and trying it out for
myself.  Some researchers are also experimenting with negative
ions, which seem to also be in shorter supply in winter, as is natural
sunlight.  I tried a negative ion generator and it didn't help me.
I learned all this through applying for a study in winter depression.
I didn't do it because I would be randomly assigned to negative ions
or Vita-lites and I knew the ions wouldn't help me.

I can't say if any of this will help the reader.  I hope it will however.

I use three of the 20-watt "power twist" Vita-Lites; the power twist in the
glass makes them last longer.  I have a mild case of winter depression.
I am thinking of using a few more this winter as even three did not
keep the "January effect" completely at bay.

Researchers use more lights and in higher wattages for more
severe cases from what I have read.  I am conversant in the subject
but I do not purport to be an expert or know everything about it.
Disclaimer:  Each person should investigate this for his/herself.

I built a simple L-shaped wooden stand for the lights (which are shaped like a
flourescent light) and attatched three regular flourescent light fixtures
to the wooden stand (without the plastic covers).  The 20-watt lights are 24
inches long.  40-watt lights are 48 inches long.  My set-up cost me about
$125 in toto and TO ME it was worth every penny.

If you call, they will send you a catalog and answer your questions.

Good luck and remind me of this when it gets to be October and I
will post it again for those absent readers who might be needing a
suggestion.

Brady

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=Brady Woodward +=+ U56503@UICVM=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
  SATAN to NEW-COMER: The trouble with you Chicago people is that you
  think that you are the best people down here, whereas you are merely
  the most mumerous. --Mark Twain  (All other thoughts are mine alone.)
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=