Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

It’s that time of year when we have periods of light and longer periods of darkness. For some people, their symptoms of depression and anxiety can get worse during Fall and Winter months. Light therapy can be a highly effective tool to help prevent these worsening symptoms.

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that uses bright light to mimic the natural sunlight that's lacking during the winter: 

• How it works

  Light therapy is thought to work by changing brain chemicals that affect mood, sleep, and appetite. It may also help by reducing the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy, and increasing the production of serotonin, a hormone that affects your mood. 

• How to use it

  To use light therapy, you sit in front of a special light box that's about 20 times brighter than normal indoor light for 30–45 minutes, usually first thing in the morning. You should use it daily from fall to spring. 

• Safety

  Light therapy is generally safe, but people with certain eye diseases or who take medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight may need to use it under medical supervision. 

• Effectiveness

  Light therapy is one of the first line treatments for SAD and is effective for most people. It usually starts working in a few days to a few weeks and has very few side effects. 

Before buying a light box, you should talk with your health care provider about the best one for you and how to use it. I can provide recommendations for the proper type of light box and make sure you do not have any conditions that a light box may make worse. Call for your appointment today 414-242-6453. I can’t wait to meet you.