Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)*

What is SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. is a type of ‘winter depression’ that affects millions of people every year between September and April, in particular, during December, January and February. S.A.D. is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.

For many people, S.A.D. is a seriously disabling illness that prevents them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment. For others, it is a milder condition, causing discomfort, referred to as sub-syndromal S.A.D. or ‘winter blues’. There is also a rare reverse form of S.A.D. known as ‘summer S.A.D.’ or ‘summer depression’ where symptoms occur each summer and go into remission in winter. (S.A.D. Symptoms | S.A.D. Treatments)

O•ZONELite™ Full-Spectrum

The O•ZONELite™ Full-Spectrum is designed to combat S.A.D, and has the added benefit of helping to eliminate airborne bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, smoke and household odors through the use of the same TiO2 (titanium dioxide) technology that is employed in the successful O•ZONELite™.

O•ZONELite™ Full-Spectrum has accomplished this by creating a light source that, at further distances than your standard light box, will produce the critical LUX value of 10,000. With a light output equivalent to that of a standard 100-watt light bulb, the 23-watt O•ZONELite™ Full-Spectrum has a LUX value of 10,000 at a distance of 16 inches making it perfect for use in table lamps, desk lamps and floor reading lamps. The 42-watt O•ZONELite™ Full-Spectrum at the traditionally recommended one-foot [approx.] viewing distance produces about 27,000 LUX, which is far too intense and not recommended, but perfect for use in ceiling fixtures or with our convenient plug-in wall adapters.

Best of all, the O•ZONELite™ Full-Spectrum, with its TiO2 (titanium dioxide) coating, produces the same photocatalytic action that other O•ZONELite™ bulbs do. It creates hydroxyl radicals (nothing more than one atom of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen) that act as ‘bullets’ to break down harmful airborne microorganisms (bacteria, mold, viruses and fungi) into nothing more than carbon dioxide and water. It also helps to eliminate smoke and household odors and is completely safe for humans and animals. More benefits...

Although O•ZONELite™ DOES NOT EMIT OZONE, the name 'O•ZONELite™' was chosen because ozone is created electrically during thunderstorms. This electrical discharge, ozone, creates a positive sweet smell that we understand as fresh air.

S.A.D. Symptoms*

• desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake, but in some cases, disturbed sleep and early morning wakening
  
  
• fatigue and an inability to carry out a normal routine
  
  
• craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods, usually resulting in weight gain
  
  
• sense of misery, guilt and loss of self-esteem, sometimes hopelessness and despair, sometimes apathy and loss of feelings
  
  
• irritability and desire to avoid social contact
  
  
• tension and inability to tolerate stress
  
  
• decreased interest in sex and physical contact
  
  
• and, in some sufferers, extremes of mood and short periods of hypomania (over-activity) in spring and autumn

S.A.D. symptoms usually reoccur regularly each winter, starting between September and November and continuing until March or April; a diagnosis can be made after 2 or more consecutive winters of symptoms. In sub-syndromal S.A.D., symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, sleep and eating problems occur, but depression and anxiety are absent or mild.

—National Organization of Seasonal Affective Disorder

S.A.D. Treatments*

The treatments for ‘winter depression’ and ‘summer depression’ often differ, and may include any or a combination of the following:

• light therapy
  
• medication
• psychological treatment

According to the National Organization of Seasonal Affective Disorder (NOSAD), light therapy has proven effective in over 80% of diagnosed cases with exposure from 30 minutes to several hours per day to very bright light at least 10 times the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting.

Please Note: Many health insurance companies today will reimburse a portion of, or even all, of the expense of a light therapy device, but a proper diagnosis for seasonal depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) must have been made by a qualified health professional. Contact your individual health insurance company for more information and to find out what is required.