Light therapy...

1. Light Therapy In Seasonal Affective Disorder Is Independent Of Time Of Day Or Circadian Phase

By Wirz-Justice, Anna; Smith, Jeanette M.
Presents an abstract of a study which tests the hypothesis that phase-delayed circadian rhythms underlie seasonal affective disorder. Measurement of phase position of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion and comparison of antidepressant response to morning or evening light as a first treatment; Design; Setting; Patients; Intervention.
(Journal of the American Medical Association, 2/2/94, Vol.271 Issue 5, p330i, 1/4p)

2. Bright Light, Big Therapy by Rae, Stephen.

Reports on light therapy for the treatment of various ailments. Light treatment; Use of bright light to reset biological rhythms; Circadian cycle; Photoporesis as cancer treatment; Age-related sleep disturbances; Seasonal affective disorder (SAD); Effect of decrease amount of daylight; Winter depression.
(Modern Maturity, Feb/Mar94, Vol. 37 Issue 1, p36, 5p, 3c)

3. Bright Light Fights Winter Blues.

Reports on the use of light therapy in the treatment of seasonal depression. Correction of body's internal clock; Influence of melatonin secretion in brain; Symptoms of "winter blues"; Warning of self-treatment.
(USA Today Magazine, Feb94, Vol. 122 Issue 2585, p15, 2p, 1bw)

4. Light and Biological Rhythms in Psychiatry by Rosenthal, Norman E.

Discusses the link between exposure to bright light and biological rhythms in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Types of biological rhythms that affect mood; Effect of melatonin secretion on circadian and seasonal rhythms; Treating SAD patients with exposure to bright light; Circadian rhythms in relation to the timing of sleep.
(Harvard Mental Health Letter, Mar95, Vol. 11 Issue 9, p5, 2p)

5. Let There Be Light Therapy by Steinberg, Don.

Introduces the the use of light therapy in seasonal affective disorders (SAD). Incidence of SAD; Relation of melatonin production to SAD; Effect of lighting to SAD; Possible applications of roaming light therapy. INSET: Gimme alight (light therapy products).
(GQ, Feb95, Vol. 65 Issue 2, p100, 1p, 1 chart)

6. Light Visor Chases Away Winter Blues.

Features the Bio-Brite Light Visor that concentrates summer-like light signals without interfering with the wearer's normal activities.
Treatment of seasonal affective disorder by light therapy; Jet Lag
Visor as other product offered by company.
(Futurist, Nov/Dec94, Vol. 28 Issue 6, p5, 1/4p, 1bw)

Of interest to women...

1. The SAD Factor.

Presents information on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of wintertime depression, and its effects on women. Studies conducted on SAD; Cravings of women with SAD; Theories on the causes of SAD.
(Weight Watchers, Feb95, Vol. 28 Issue 2, p57, 1/4p)

2. Beating The Winter Blahs by Woodson, Michelle.

Reports on the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the fall and winter months. Depression brought on by the lack of sunlight; Fatigue; Oversleeping; Concentration difficulty; Overeating; Activities to overcome SAD.
(Women's Sports & Fitness, Dec93, Vol. 15 Issue 8, p29, 1/3p)

3. Season, Sex, and Psychiatric Symptoms.

Presents a study which found that women and not men have more symptoms of anxiety and depression in winter. Increase in gender difference on a scale designed to describe symptoms typical of seasonal affective disorder.
(Harvard Mental Health Letter, Aug94, Vol. 11 Issue 2, p7, 1/6p)

4. PMS: A Glimmer of Hope? by K.L.

Reports on the study concerning the beneficial effect of bright-light therapy on women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Research at University of California, San Diego; Exposure to fluorescent light as treatment for depression or seasonal affective disorder; Light as anti-depressant.
(Ladies' Home Journal, Aug94, Vol. 111 Issue 8, p64, 2/9p)

5. It May Be Cold Outside, But Inside, It's Crazy by Rubenstein, Carn.

Tells of some of the seasonal affective disorders (SAD) that are being caused as a result of the bad weather this winter. Examples of what some parents resort to when they must amuse their children; Experts' tips for staying sane.
(New York Times, 2/3/94, Vol. 143 Issue 49596, pC1)

6. Diagnosis and Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder by Rosenthal, Norman E.

Presents a case study of a patient complaining in October 1993 of fatigue and self-disgust. Negative results of tests for physical ailments; Diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder (SAD); Response of light treatment; Preponderance of females in samples; Importance of ophthalmologic examination; Optimal time of day for treatment; Stress management and exercise; Controlled medication studies.
(Journal of the American Medical Association, 12/8/93, Vol. 270 Issue 22, p2717, 4p, 1 chart)

Christmas, vacations, diet, etcetera...

1. Festive Malaise

Discusses the incidence of emotional imbalances upon the onset of the Christmas season. Sources of stress; Effects on social conditions prevalent prior to the holiday; Anxiety due to disruption of normal body cycles; Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) from lack of sunlight in the northern states.
(University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter, Dec93, Vol.10 Issue 3, p7, 1/3p)

2. Feeling Blah? How To Beat The Season's Blues by Doner, Kalia.

Presents guidelines on solving post-holiday stress syndrome. Getting enough sleep; Regular exercise; Socialization; Reducing intake of fatty foods; Going out; Overcoming seasonal affective disorder. INSET: Five anytime mood-boosters.
(Family Circle, 1/11/94, Vol. 107 Issue 1, p84, 3p, 2c)

3. Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal (Book).

Lack of light causes winter blues. Reports on a condition researchers have named SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, that afflicts many people during the winter months. Causes of SAD syndrome; Effects of light on the body; Problems of SAD sufferers; Norman Rosenthal's book Winter Blues; Treatment for SAD.
(News for You, 2/9/94, Vol. 42 Issue 5, p3, 1/3p, 1 diagram)

4. The Seaside Cure by Epstein, Randi.

Focuses on the contribution of island vacationing to health maintenance. Soothing effects of sound waves and aroma of the beach; Occurrence of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD); Treatment of SAD through island vacationing; Reference to the book The Power of Place on health value of water waves and beach aroma. INSET: Healing scents.
(Conde Nast Traveler, Jul94, Vol. 29 Issue 7, p70, 3p, 1c)

5. Shedding Dietary Light On Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Focuses on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and reports that a preliminary study from Switzerland suggests that a SAD sufferer's dietary habits may help predict his or her likelihood of feeling relief from light therapy. Study of the dietary habits of people with SAD; Role of physicians and therapists.
(Tufts University Diet & Nutrition Letter, Mar94, Vol.12 Issue 1, p1, 2p)

6. Beats The Daylight Out Of Me by Leyden, Michael B.

Outlines a classroom activity which will offer students new insights about the sun. Desire of some scientific educators to replace the terms "sunrise" and "sunset" with "sunsight" and "sunclipse"; Exploration, introduction and application phases. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
(Teaching PreK-8, Apr95, Vol. 25 Issue 7, p22, 2p, 1 chart, 1 graph, 1c)

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