Light Therapy Offers Hope for Seasonal Depression Relief

The American Psychiatric Association classifies Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, as a type of major depression affecting about five percent of adults in the United States. Symptoms of SAD include fatigue, cravings for carbohydrates, irritability, and feelings of hopelessness.

As daylight diminishes, particularly in regions like Seattle, where the time between sunrise and sunset decreases significantly, the incidence of SAD can increase. Research indicates that light therapy is one of the most effective treatments for SAD.

A 2006 study found that light therapy can be as effective as taking Prozac, while more recent studies confirm it outperforms placebo treatments. Dr. Dorothy Sit, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, highlighted the compelling research supporting light therapy as a treatment option.

A personal account from a long-time sufferer of seasonal depression emphasizes the importance of light therapy. The individual, who has battled seasonal depression since childhood in Seattle, shares their journey toward using light therapy for relief.

They recommend using a light box with an intensity of 10,000 lux for thirty minutes each morning to increase exposure to light. Consistency is crucial for effectiveness, and positioning the lamp twelve to twenty-four inches from the face while angling it slightly away is key to maximizing benefits.

The report underscores the potential of light therapy to alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, pointing to the need for those affected to explore innovative treatment options for mental health.