What is light therapy?

Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder, depression and certain other conditions by exposure to bright artificial light. During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The light therapy box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.

Exposure to bright light from a light therapy box is thought to alter your circadian rhythms and suppress your body's natural release of melatonin. Together, these cause biochemical changes in your brain that help reduce or control symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.


Why is it done?

Light therapy is one of the many ways to treat a variety of mental disorders and conditions affected by time changes or shift changes, especially seasonal affective disorder. The light box used in light therapy emits a type and intensity of light that isn't found in normal household lighting. So simply sitting in front of a lamp in your living room is unlikely to relieve your seasonal affective disorder symptoms or other problems.

Similarly, a light box delivers brighter, more focused light than you can find outdoors, which makes it more effective than trying to get enough light exposure by spending time outside — especially on gloomy days.

When to consider light therapy
Light therapy may be a treatment option for you if:

* You don't want to take medications such as antidepressants
* You can't tolerate the side effects of antidepressants
* You've tried antidepressants but they haven't been effective
* You want an alternative to psychotherapy
* You're pregnant or breast-feeding and are concerned about the effects of antidepressants on your developing fetus or baby
* You don't have insurance coverage for mental health services
* You lack access to mental health services

Conditions light therapy may help
Conditions and problems that may benefit from light therapy include:

* Seasonal affective disorder
* Nonseasonal types of depression
* Obsessive-compulsive disorder
* Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
* Postpartum depression
* Jet lag
* Certain sleep disorders
* Shift-work problems

Keep in mind that light therapy hasn't officially been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder or other conditions. But many mental health providers consider light therapy the main seasonal affective disorder treatment.

website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/light-therapy/MY00195

Explore light therapy use as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder, other conditions. Light therapy involves exposure to intense levels of light under controlled conditions. Light therapy can treat more than just winter depression.

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone here suffers from SAD and maybe uses light therapy? Or maybe Ionisers and wanted to know the effectiveness of them!

Many Thanks!!

Mosh

Mosh wrote:Hi all. Just wondering if anyone here suffers from SAD and maybe uses light therapy? Or maybe Ionisers and wanted to know the effectiveness of them!

Many Thanks!!

Mosh

I use light therapy and consider it to e VERY helpful when I am feeling lethargic during Winter (S.A.D) and also during gloomy periods of time.
I was recommended to get one by a psychiatrist many years ago and I am glad that I did.

Light boxes tend to be on the expensive side, but my Dr recommended the HappyLite because of the affordability, and I find to be an excellent product.
The thing you need to know is an efficient light box has to be a minimum of 10,000 LUX.
The great thing about the bulbs is they last and last.

Good luck with your light therapy.
Wish you all the best!