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Probability of being able to use a Light Box at University?
I was wondering what the probabilities of being able to use your own Light Box at University in your Halls Of Residence bedroom would be? Is there anyone here already at University that is able to use a Light Box in their room or has found another alternative for getting around this? Or is there anybody here who might be possibly facing the same predicament?
Currently I am looking into buying my own Light Box that is medically and opthalmologically accredited and safe to use. Light Boxes are used to treat SAD aka Seasonal Affective Disorder in this instance (not Social Anxiety Disorder, which can also be abbreviated to SAD), as well as being clinically proven to also treat clinical depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and Bulimia Nervosa. I'd be looking to use a Light Box to help treat my clinical depression and to especially use during the winter months- not because I think that I have SAD but because the lack of natural daylight in the winter, further compounds the burden of my clinical depression/it doesn't help it!
Light Boxes if they're properly medically accredited and have a proper (gauze) filter to absorb any UV rays produced, shouldn't emit UV radiation, so it's not for vanity reasons for tanning (increase in melanin accumulation) and hair-lightening purposes that I'd need/want a Light Box for nor to stimulate the production of vitamin D like when sunlight hits and is absorbed transdermally.
Instead, Light Boxes stimulate the rate of production of melatonin and serotonin, starting with the light hitting the back of the retina then the rest of the neuroscience that I shan't divulge into for the sake of anyone reading this post (as you may not find it as half as fascinating as I do perhaps!
). I'm wanting to acquire and use a Light Box as an alternative to being prescribed an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) Anti-Depressant, to thus help treat the depression.
However, I can see several problems in the probability of being able to use and have a Light Box at university. One of those problems being is that Light Boxes produce high Luxe (light intensity) and thus require and use up a high voltage, which just isn't available in one's bedroom at the Halls Of Residence plus it would not only fuse/overload the electricity supply to my room, but quite probably to the entire Hall of residence too, thus I wouldn't be very popular. Neither would that be practical both then (as in items using up a high voltage are generally not allowed into Residency anyhow) and more longterm- it wouldn't be effective to start using a Light Box now and then in a few months time when I go to University to not be able to use it.
So what does anyone here who has SAD or clinical depression or uses Light Boxes, knows what I am talking about or is now more informed from my post, think of my probabilities of being able to use and take a Light Box to University? Do you think that I'd be able to use it in my room, if I asked for special consideration from the warden of the Halls/the University considering the circumstances? Or that I'd be able to plug it into the communal kitchen instead? Without getting damaged, misused or stolen hopefully.:-s Or used at a gym/in a Sports hall? Does anyone here use a Light Box at University or has any advice or suggestions for me?
Initially I wasn't sure whether to place this within the General University section or here in Health & Relationships. In the end, I decided that in the Health and Relationships section would be best because it's a predominant health issue with university just merely being the location for the subject matter. Also here in Health and Relationships subforum, I can go anonymous because I consider this to be of no business to anyone else concerning my state of health. So please keep anon or else delete.
Currently I am looking into buying my own Light Box that is medically and opthalmologically accredited and safe to use. Light Boxes are used to treat SAD aka Seasonal Affective Disorder in this instance (not Social Anxiety Disorder, which can also be abbreviated to SAD), as well as being clinically proven to also treat clinical depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and Bulimia Nervosa. I'd be looking to use a Light Box to help treat my clinical depression and to especially use during the winter months- not because I think that I have SAD but because the lack of natural daylight in the winter, further compounds the burden of my clinical depression/it doesn't help it!
Light Boxes if they're properly medically accredited and have a proper (gauze) filter to absorb any UV rays produced, shouldn't emit UV radiation, so it's not for vanity reasons for tanning (increase in melanin accumulation) and hair-lightening purposes that I'd need/want a Light Box for nor to stimulate the production of vitamin D like when sunlight hits and is absorbed transdermally.
Instead, Light Boxes stimulate the rate of production of melatonin and serotonin, starting with the light hitting the back of the retina then the rest of the neuroscience that I shan't divulge into for the sake of anyone reading this post (as you may not find it as half as fascinating as I do perhaps!
). I'm wanting to acquire and use a Light Box as an alternative to being prescribed an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) Anti-Depressant, to thus help treat the depression.However, I can see several problems in the probability of being able to use and have a Light Box at university. One of those problems being is that Light Boxes produce high Luxe (light intensity) and thus require and use up a high voltage, which just isn't available in one's bedroom at the Halls Of Residence plus it would not only fuse/overload the electricity supply to my room, but quite probably to the entire Hall of residence too, thus I wouldn't be very popular. Neither would that be practical both then (as in items using up a high voltage are generally not allowed into Residency anyhow) and more longterm- it wouldn't be effective to start using a Light Box now and then in a few months time when I go to University to not be able to use it.
So what does anyone here who has SAD or clinical depression or uses Light Boxes, knows what I am talking about or is now more informed from my post, think of my probabilities of being able to use and take a Light Box to University? Do you think that I'd be able to use it in my room, if I asked for special consideration from the warden of the Halls/the University considering the circumstances? Or that I'd be able to plug it into the communal kitchen instead? Without getting damaged, misused or stolen hopefully.:-s Or used at a gym/in a Sports hall? Does anyone here use a Light Box at University or has any advice or suggestions for me?
Initially I wasn't sure whether to place this within the General University section or here in Health & Relationships. In the end, I decided that in the Health and Relationships section would be best because it's a predominant health issue with university just merely being the location for the subject matter. Also here in Health and Relationships subforum, I can go anonymous because I consider this to be of no business to anyone else concerning my state of health. So please keep anon or else delete.
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Ask your Universtiy, explain to them the nessecity of the Light box, pretty much everything you've said up there *points* and then, if that doesn't work, bring it anyway. ^.^
If it just plugs in to a normal socket then allowing a person with depression to use a light box falls under the bracket of a 'Reasonable adjustment' according to the DDA. Hence, I think the probability is 100% - just take it, and they won't argue for you not to use it as it's something you need for medical reasons.
I was just wondering whether the Halls power supply would be able to manage the high voltage without creating a power surge, blowing up the fuse box, comprising the electrical efficiency and functionability of anything else that I'd be using in my room, like my computer and mini-fridge (for medicinal purposes), and causing a blackout for n anmount of ppl.
Edit: too quick typing error- 'amount" even.
YAP
If it just plugs in to a normal socket then allowing a person with depression to use a light box falls under the bracket of a 'Reasonable adjustment' according to the DDA. Hence, I think the probability is 100% - just take it, and they won't argue for you not to use it as it's something you need for medical reasons.
Exactly. Most universities will go to the ends of the earth to help those with disabilities and medical conditions. This will include depression. The vast majority at least make sure they make the reasonable adjustments that they are required, by law, to make.
It's still worth asking the uni, there are also other things they could suggset.
Anonymous
I was just wondering whether the Halls power supply would be able to manage the high voltage without creating a power surge, blowing up the fuse box, comprising the electrical efficiency and functionability of anything else that I'd be using in my room, like my computer and mini-fridge (for medicinal purposes), and causing a blackout for n anmount of ppl.
I was thinking that but I don't think there'd be a problem. Try and ask the uni. As I said it should be fine and they may be able to offer additional help (should you need it).
Are you applying for disabled students allowance and, if so, have you had your needs assesment yet? You could discuss it then.
Anonymous
I was just wondering whether the Halls power supply would be able to manage the high voltage without creating a power surge, blowing up the fuse box, comprising the electrical efficiency and functionability of anything else that I'd be using in my room, like my computer and mini-fridge (for medicinal purposes), and causing a blackout for n anmount of ppl.
A light box I understand. Why the mini-fridge? They're very power-hungry, and, I can imagine, entirely unnecessary when there'll probably be a fridge in halls / your flat / wherever.
generalebriety
A light box I understand. Why the mini-fridge? They're very power-hungry, and, I can imagine, entirely unnecessary when there'll probably be a fridge in halls / your flat / wherever.
Because it's best having your own fridge and storage in your room. For example medication/insulin and food for a specific diet.
I wouldn't necessarily like the idea of having my food, that I need for health reasons, being in a communal fridge.
Still, I'm the the OP so I can't speak for him/her. There are probably other reasons
Anonymous
I was just wondering whether the Halls power supply would be able to manage the high voltage without creating a power surge, blowing up the fuse box, comprising the electrical efficiency and functionability of anything else that I'd be using in my room, like my computer and mini-fridge (for medicinal purposes), and causing a blackout for n anmount of ppl.
Some unis do say not to take mini fridges - mine did, but I ignored them
.If you're worried, the best thing to do would be to get a socket multplier that has a built-in anti surge capability. You can get them from computer shops and they basically help prevent the circuits getting overloaded and minimise the likelihood of tripping the breakers in the house.
Drewski
Some unis do say not to take mini fridges - mine did, but I ignored them ..
..You can possibly be allowed to, if you have medical reasons for having one.
Drewski
If you're worried, the best thing to do would be to get a socket multplier that has a built-in anti surge capability. You can get them from computer shops and they basically help prevent the circuits getting overloaded and minimise the likelihood of tripping the breakers in the house.
Yep, I'm no expert in electionics but I'd suggest something like that.
Drewski
If you're worried, the best thing to do would be to get a socket multiplier that has a built-in anti surge capability. You can get them from computer shops and they basically help prevent the circuits getting overloaded and minimise the likelihood of tripping the breakers in the house.
Something like: this
Lets clear a few things up 
Power line bourne disturbances are a completely separate issue to high current requirements, and surge protectors arn't magic pixie dust that eliminate overloading issues.
Now, I've looked into the wattage requiements of these light boxes for you, and most take sub 300w (about the same a computer and monitor), it really isn't a signifcant amount of power at all
Buildings such as halls of resistance have to limit the amount of high power appliances that can be used (such as kettles, toasters, space heaters, etc), because the installation in the building wouldn't be designed with loading that heavy.
But one 300w lamp, I can't see it being a problem at all, just make sure it (and all your other appliances) have been tested by a PAT guy as its quite likely they will insist on that (buy they might have someone who can do it in-house)
Take it from a trainne sparky, I can't see it being an issue at all
, its one SAD lamp, not a rig of threatre lamps, or a heap of kettles :P
Power line bourne disturbances are a completely separate issue to high current requirements, and surge protectors arn't magic pixie dust that eliminate overloading issues.
Now, I've looked into the wattage requiements of these light boxes for you, and most take sub 300w (about the same a computer and monitor), it really isn't a signifcant amount of power at all
Buildings such as halls of resistance have to limit the amount of high power appliances that can be used (such as kettles, toasters, space heaters, etc), because the installation in the building wouldn't be designed with loading that heavy.
But one 300w lamp, I can't see it being a problem at all, just make sure it (and all your other appliances) have been tested by a PAT guy as its quite likely they will insist on that (buy they might have someone who can do it in-house)
Take it from a trainne sparky, I can't see it being an issue at all
, its one SAD lamp, not a rig of threatre lamps, or a heap of kettles :PRiver85
I was thinking that but I don't think there'd be a problem. Try and ask the uni. As I said it should be fine and they may be able to offer additional help (should you need it).
Are you applying for disabled students allowance and, if so, have you had your needs assesment yet? You could discuss it then.
Are you applying for disabled students allowance and, if so, have you had your needs assesment yet? You could discuss it then.
No I'm not applying for a DSA. I wouldn't want to for depression and I didn't think that a disabled students' allowance would cover depression either.
Also whilst depression disables my health in that it's a mental illness (I have a few other mental illnesses too, but this is neither the time nor the place), I don't like to classify myself as a disabled person. If you can see where I am coming from on this?
You can take a mini fridge if it doesn't have the element like regular fridges, is the usual halls rule. I was powertastic in my uni room and nothing ever happened. Why don't you just buy a light box that doesn't require a higher voltage than UK standard? The ones I've just reserched all seem pretty normal....
Phoenix_151
Lets clear a few things up
Power line bourne disturbances are a completely separate issue to high current requirements, and surge protectors arn't magic pixie dust that eliminate overloading issues.
Now, I've looked into the wattage requiements of these light boxes for you, and most take sub 300w (about the same a computer and monitor), it really isn't a signifcant amount of power at all
Buildings such as halls of resistance have to limit the amount of high power appliances that can be used (such as kettles, toasters, space heaters, etc), because the installation in the building wouldn't be designed with loading that heavy.
But one 300w lamp, I can't see it being a problem at all, just make sure it (and all your other appliances) have been tested by a PAT guy as its quite likely they will insist on that (buy they might have someone who can do it in-house)
Take it from a trainne sparky, I can't see it being an issue at all , its one SAD lamp, not a rig of threatre lamps, or a heap of kettles :P
Power line bourne disturbances are a completely separate issue to high current requirements, and surge protectors arn't magic pixie dust that eliminate overloading issues.
Now, I've looked into the wattage requiements of these light boxes for you, and most take sub 300w (about the same a computer and monitor), it really isn't a signifcant amount of power at all
Buildings such as halls of resistance have to limit the amount of high power appliances that can be used (such as kettles, toasters, space heaters, etc), because the installation in the building wouldn't be designed with loading that heavy.
But one 300w lamp, I can't see it being a problem at all, just make sure it (and all your other appliances) have been tested by a PAT guy as its quite likely they will insist on that (buy they might have someone who can do it in-house)
Take it from a trainne sparky, I can't see it being an issue at all
, its one SAD lamp, not a rig of threatre lamps, or a heap of kettles :P Thanks for that! What's a PAT guy btw/what does PAT stand for?
Phoenix_151
Lets clear a few things up
Power line bourne disturbances are a completely separate issue to high current requirements, and surge protectors arn't magic pixie dust that eliminate overloading issues.
Now, I've looked into the wattage requiements of these light boxes for you, and most take sub 300w (about the same a computer and monitor), it really isn't a signifcant amount of power at all
Buildings such as halls of resistance have to limit the amount of high power appliances that can be used (such as kettles, toasters, space heaters, etc), because the installation in the building wouldn't be designed with loading that heavy.
But one 300w lamp, I can't see it being a problem at all, just make sure it (and all your other appliances) have been tested by a PAT guy as its quite likely they will insist on that (buy they might have someone who can do it in-house)
Take it from a trainne sparky, I can't see it being an issue at all , its one SAD lamp, not a rig of threatre lamps, or a heap of kettles :P
Power line bourne disturbances are a completely separate issue to high current requirements, and surge protectors arn't magic pixie dust that eliminate overloading issues.
Now, I've looked into the wattage requiements of these light boxes for you, and most take sub 300w (about the same a computer and monitor), it really isn't a signifcant amount of power at all
Buildings such as halls of resistance have to limit the amount of high power appliances that can be used (such as kettles, toasters, space heaters, etc), because the installation in the building wouldn't be designed with loading that heavy.
But one 300w lamp, I can't see it being a problem at all, just make sure it (and all your other appliances) have been tested by a PAT guy as its quite likely they will insist on that (buy they might have someone who can do it in-house)
Take it from a trainne sparky, I can't see it being an issue at all
, its one SAD lamp, not a rig of threatre lamps, or a heap of kettles :PDon't shatter my illusions like that!! All that electrickery business is magik I tells you!
[And in my defence, I only said they'd 'help' with it, a kind of peace of mind measure, not solution
]River85
Because it's best having your own fridge and storage in your room. For example medication/insulin and food for a specific diet.
I wouldn't necessarily like the idea of having my food, that I need for health reasons, being in a communal fridge.
Still, I'm the the OP so I can't speak for him/her. There are probably other reasons
I wouldn't necessarily like the idea of having my food, that I need for health reasons, being in a communal fridge.
Still, I'm the the OP so I can't speak for him/her. There are probably other reasons
Yes I'd have my own fridge in my room for medication, specific dietary concerns and to avoid contamination of some foods and liquids due to some serious food allergies that I have and thus have several epipens for should the need to use them arise. I'm also rather particular about how things are arranged in the fridge- it freaks me out to have meat and dairy products together on the same shelf or for red meat to be right next to white meat. I wouldn't call it mild OCD
, just me being particular and having my own high standards. However, the main reasons for having my own mini-fridge are strictly (more) medical.Also the university that I'm going to doesn't allow you to bring your own mini-fridges/they say not to, however if you write to the university about requiring one for medical reasons, then the university provides you with one of their mini-fridges to have in your room.
Anonymous
No I'm not applying for a DSA. I wouldn't want to for depression and I didn't think that a disabled students' allowance would cover depression either. Also whilst depression disables my health in that it's a mental illness (I have a few other mental illnesses too, but this is neither the time nor the place), I don't like to classify myself as a disabled person. If you can see where I am coming from on this?
Also whilst depression disables my health in that it's a mental illness (I have a few other mental illnesses too, but this is neither the time nor the place), I don't like to classify myself as a disabled person. If you can see where I am coming from on this?If you don't class yourself as disabled fair enough (I don't myself). It's just the definition of disability is quite broad. According to the DDA it's any impairment (whether mental or physical) that has a significant and long term adverse affect on their ability to carry out day to day activities. This can, in many cases, include depression and other forms of menal illness. (I think, in the past, those with mental illness needed to have their condition "clinically well recognised" in order to be covered under the DDA, this is not the case anymore). It is open to how the person with the condition identifies themself really.
But it's just things such as lightboxes in your room (and many other things) that you can discuss during a needs assesment. Here's a link, if you change your mind.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898
But even if you don't apply for it then I'd enourage you to still inform the university. They should be able to offer extra support if needed (academic and non-academic). Even if will never need it it's nice knowing it's there. It could save a lot of hassle later on in your degree
Again, whether you define yourself as disabled is up to you. Just because you accept DSA that shouldn't mean that you'll have this label of "disabled" placed on you. You wouldn't. Just remember that your rights should be covered by the disability discrimination act, even if you yourself don't consider yourself to have a disability.
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