I've been really, really depressed lately. I'm wondering if it's the lack of sunlight and the inability to get outside much during the winter months. Does anyone else here experience so-called Seasonal Affective Disorder? Can anyone tell me if those special lamps really help?

My brother-in-law has been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder and my sister said the lamps help.

Yes, a friend always uses his lamp to fight depression in gloomy weather.

My Aunt has been diagnoised with SAD. She currently takes meds for the disorder. This is a real disorder and it is just another level of depression. There are several different types or axises as the pyshcharistrist would call them. I was first diagnoised with Major Depressive disorder or Clinical Depression almost 8 years ago and just recently was diagnoised with cyclothymic disorder which is a mild fom of bi-polar disorder. I hope this helps. You can PM me if you have any questions.

Have your Vitamin D levels checked also.  For years, I thought I suffered from SAD but at my last checkup, my doctor had my D levels checked.  Turned out they're very low.  I'm currently taking 50,000 IUs (that is not a misprint) weekly.  I go in in a few weeks to get tested again.  Since taking the increased D my mood has definitely improved even though our winter has been lousy.

I started using a SAD light over a month ago. I think it helps, and it has done wonders for my insomnia.