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Forum Seasonal Affective disorder
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Related

Seasonal Affective disorder

william_hoffer
william_hoffer over 9 years ago

I work IT and a few years ago I was working doing help desk. The place felt like tomb do to the fact that we were in the basement with no natural light and the constant damp smell. I started the job in March and I liked my work but around November I started not feeling good. I seemed to be depressed more and more often. December I went to my doctor who sent me to a specialist who diagnosed me with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I was prescribed a full spectrum lamp for my desk, A couple of Times a day I was to turn it on and continue working. The light did the job, I was not depressed any more (well any more that you should be dealing with computer newbies who can't get simple concept such as there is no keyboard with a "Any" key). Now I was supposed to turn the light on at a ceratin time, leave in on for a ceratin amount of time, then turn it off. So I was wondering if you could build a full spectrum light and automate it so you can program when come son and when it goes off. Maybe add system to log in some simple data like if the user felt better, worst, or the same so the user can give that data to there Doctor so they can dial in the right amount of exposure help the patient.

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 9 years ago +2
    Is overexposure during the day such an issue or is it more a case of the cost of the lamps ? Just thinking about people who work with full spectrum daylight in their office (or outside) and don't 'turn…
  • DAB
    DAB over 9 years ago +2
    It would be an interesting project to set up a RGB light sensor to monitor your exposure during the day, both inside and out. You should be able to build up a profile of which specific spectral light intensities…
  • william_hoffer
    william_hoffer over 9 years ago in reply to beacon_dave +1
    allot of buildiong use specialy titned windows so tracking the light ti see what its deficent in would be a good idea,
  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 9 years ago

    Is overexposure during the day such an issue or is it more a case of the cost of the lamps ? Just thinking about people who work with full spectrum daylight in their office (or outside) and don't 'turn it off' after 'x' hours.

     

    I have heard that excessive amounts of blue light in the evenings can be related to sleep disorders (e.g. LCD backlights on mobile devices) so probably don't want to use a full spectrum lamp for bedroom reading in the evening.

     

    Could perhaps add to your idea by attempting to monitor the visible spectrum throughout the day for offices which only get a little natural light at certain times of the day so as a full spectrum lamp can automatically be activated to compensate. This information could also be logged for the Doctor as well.

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  • DAB
    DAB over 9 years ago

    It would be an interesting project to set up a RGB light sensor to monitor your exposure during the day, both inside and out.

     

    You should be able to build up a profile of which specific spectral light intensities work best for you during the different times of the year.

     

    It would make a great Science Fair Project or Masters Thesis.

     

    DAB

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  • william_hoffer
    william_hoffer over 9 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

    allot of buildiong use specialy titned windows so tracking the light ti see what its deficent in would be a good idea,

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  • william_hoffer
    william_hoffer over 9 years ago

    so what we want it to do

    1.automatic turn on and turn off.

    2. Measuring the visible light to report what it lacks threw out the day (if it changes if the sun is comming threw the windows or not)

    3. A logging system to measure the way the user feels after each use of the light.

    4. A reminder system to log in your reponses.

    4. a system memory that you off load to take to your doctor (such as USB or SD cards).

     

    Amything else?

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  • D_Hersey
    D_Hersey over 9 years ago

    IIRC it works best if you shine it on the back of your knees.

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 9 years ago in reply to william_hoffer

    Sounds good. How about adding a general ambient illuminance measurement (Lux) and perhaps something to monitor any flickering/strobing artefacts ?

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  • william_hoffer
    william_hoffer over 9 years ago in reply to D_Hersey

    You lost me on this one, whats best shined on the back of the knee and why add in a internet chat system for it?

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  • D_Hersey
    D_Hersey over 9 years ago

    If I Recall Correctly

     

    I found out it was discredited, but there was a theory abroad that jetlag could be corrected by light on the back of the knee.  I got some hits on google with 'SAD' and 'back of the knee.'

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  • jkutzsch
    jkutzsch over 9 years ago in reply to william_hoffer

    This sounds pretty interesting.  I have been trying to find information on how Autism Spectrum Disorder and S.A.D. may correlate and this could be an interesting tool to help assist children with A.S.D.! 

     

    Especially considering the price of light boxes in general!

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  • D_Hersey
    D_Hersey over 9 years ago

    SAD and Autism spectrum?  Linkage maybe about the vagus nerve.

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