Are SAD Lights Effective for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

There are many options available for SAD lights, or light boxes, for home treatment of seasonal affective disorder. If you suffer from this disorder, is a light box worth the investment? Are SAD lights effective for seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that develops with the changing seasons. Though some people may be affected in warmer months, most people with SAD develop symptoms that start in fall and continue through the winter. It is believed SAD is caused by less exposure to sunlight during the colder months as days grow shorter.

Light therapy is just one treatment for SAD. If you don't like the idea of taking medications for your "winter blues", talk to your doctor about purchasing a home light therapy box. SAD lights are supposed to mimic the natural light of the sun. This can be helpful during winter months when there is less exposure to sunlight.

SAD lights appear to be effective for many people who suffer symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Sunlight keeps the chemicals in the brain that affect mood at a consistent level. Without enough sunlight, these levels can drop causing symptoms of depression. A good SAD light can affect the chemicals in your brain as effectively as natural sunlight.

However, there are some recommendations to keep in mind when choosing a SAD light for light therapy in the home. Although you can buy light boxes without a prescription, it is best to talk with your doctor or other health professional to see which SAD light would work best for your situation. Light therapy boxes may also be used with medications or psychotherapy for best results depending on your symptoms.

The SAD light you choose should be specifically made for the treatment of SAD. It should offer full spectrum light and be able to produce 10,000 Lux of light at the furthest distance possible. The light box should also be able to be positioned above eye level at the proper distance. Some SAD lights include adjustable stands, others can be set on a desk or shelf of some sort.

In my article SAD Lights, I researched five light therapy boxes that are available for purchase online for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. My choices were made with the guidelines given in the paragraph above.

Do not fall for product claims that their light therapy box uses "blue spectrum light". These lights have not been proven to be more effective in the treatment of SAD. Blue spectrum light also carries more risk of eye damage for the user.

SAD lights are effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder when used according to the advice of your physician and the instructions given with your light therapy box. Light therapy can be used alone or with other treatment options according to your symptoms. Be sure to obtain the advice of your physician to determine if home therapy with a SAD light might be effective treatment for your symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT MEANT TO DIAGNOSE OR TREAT ANY CONDITION.

SOURCES:

FamilyDoctor.org; Seasonal Affective Disorder

Mayo Clinic; Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Jolynne M Hudnell; SAD Lights; Associated Content/Yahoo!