S.A.D Case Study - Introduction

"...I had read how effective SAD light boxes were for SAD treatment and so with my last money I bought myself a SAD light box... It was the best thing I did!"

Hello, my name is Mark Golding and I am the Managing Director of Goldstaff Ltd and a SAD sufferer. I started to manufacture SAD light boxes after using one and finding the effects of SAD treatment for myself. Goldstaff now manufacture the Britebox, a SAD light box which is an optimum, 10,000Lux (daylight) SAD light therapy unit, used for SAD treatment, depression, severe PMS, winter weight gain and other hormonal dispositions.

Winter is always a very difficult time for SAD sufferers and it can feel impossible to muster the enthusiasm needed when you are feeling so drained and low. However, please take heart, treatment through the use of a SAD light box is extremely effective and usually takes effect within only a week. Indeed, on our 30-day money back guarantee our return rate is less than 2%.

The following is my attempt to briefly describe how I had felt in those dark days of suffering with Seasonal Affective Disorder prior to commencing treatment with my SAD light box. Please view the feedback page for more descriptions of SAD treatment.

I only fully realised that I was suffering with Seasonal Affective Disorder in 1998 when I really was at the end of my tether. I was trying to finish my last year of a psychology degree, however, I felt so bad that winter, I thought I would never be able to complete the course.

The reason for the following description is not just to sell the Britebox SAD light box, nor is it just to vent part of my life story in the hope of releasing emotional tension. It is genuinely in the hope that individuals who are suffering during winter may be able to empathise and further understand their own situations and health.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is the type of disorder that can creep up on us and effect our lives without us realising what is happening. We tend to justify our feelings by the immediate environment such as social interactions and life events. However, a time comes when these justifications can no longer account for how terrible we feel, thus you would think that there must be another logical explanation.

Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms are many and varied and people will suffer variations of symptoms to different degrees. However, in my experience and after discussing symptoms with thousands of sufferers, the following seems fairly general for all sufferers (to varying degrees).

Fatigue and Tiredness

This is felt in all cases and is due to high levels of melatonin in the blood stream. As for myself, I used to feel as though the fatigue was heavy and weighing me down, it was so physical that it would make my skin tingle. It is not as though I am lazy, in fact I am quite the opposite, however, this fatigue would mean that everything was an effort. Indeed, I would constantly try to manipulate my day so as to get home earlier and have a glorious hour in bed, to recharge my batteries... I always strongly resented having to get out of my bed, especially in the morning!

Motivation

For the last ten years I have been happy with my direction in life, which is true to myself, and therefore I have tended to be highly motivated with regard to goals etc. However, I still found that during the dark winter months, my motivation would just not be there anymore - it would seem like a distant memory. My motivation could vaguely return, though usually later at night or if I woke early in the morning, between 3 - 5am typically. Within these brief moments of clarity I would feel anxious and a bit speedy. I would find it hard to settle and my mind would be working overtime. But I would also feel more motivated and positive, although the next morning it would be gone and replaced by lethargy and hopelessness.

Depression and Hopelessness

Would effect me, specifically around December, January and February. It was strange, I would often cry to myself for no apparent reason other than an intense feeling of hopelessness. I would strongly believe that I was going no-where, like I was stuck in a dead end, that there was nothing to look forward to and life just was not worth it! However, I also knew, deep down, that these feelings did not reflect the reality of my life. How could I be feeling this way when I was achieving my goals and heading in a positive direction? (The pineal gland, which resides in the limbic system, the animal part of the human brain, produces high levels of the sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin, due to low light levels during the winter. Melatonin uses serotonin as a part of its production and thus brings on feelings of depression and hopelessness). However, even with this knowledge, it did not stop me from feeling depressed, worthless and vulnerable.

Vulnerability, Sensitivity and Socialising

I found it difficult to socialise, even with family and good friends. I would feel so low and vulnerable that even the smallest of negative interaction would affect me profoundly. I would be hypersensitive and thus could react if I believed that people close to me were not being nice or caring. My expectations of others' behaviour would be so high that it would be difficult to be with them and, conversely, for them to be with me. (I have lost some good friends through this process)

SAD Light Boxes & SAD treatment

It took only 3 days for the SAD treatment with my new SAD light box to have an effect. I felt that something was different and then realised I was no longer feeling tired and fatigued (what a relief) thanks to my SAD light box. Soon after, my motivation came back and my feelings of hopelessness began to disappear. SAD light box therapy is usually effective within 4-10 days, (this is standard, however, many people will feel the effects of SAD treatment after only one or two sessions) for approximately 85%-90% of cases, which means SAD light boxes are not the answer for everyone's condition, yet if you are suffering with seasonal effects then a SAD light box will be an effective SAD treatment and even life changing. I can only suggest that if the above does ring true to you, then SAD light box treatment is most likely a safe, easy and effective solution (we even offer a 30 day SAD treatment trial period for the Britebox SAD light box).

We have had feedback from hundreds of SAD light box users who have been amazed with the effects of Britebox SAD light box and have found SAD treatment to be life changing.

If you would like to discuss the use of the Britebox, SAD light boxes, SAD treatments or your symptoms, please call myself (Mark Golding) on 01623 884303 and I will be pleased to help. Alternatively you can call Sandra or Steve to order your Britebox SAD light box on 0800 1388 567 or buy online.

Wishing you a brighter future, Mark Golding

SAD sufferer, SAD light box owner and M.D. of Goldstaff Ltd

Back to top