Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

How do we treat seasonal affective disorder? Light therapy is the treatment of choice. - Expose yourself to bright light in the morning. If you get up after sunrise, you could go outside or sit by a large window -- even on cloudy days. - Or use a light box, a powerful lamp that is 10 to 20 brighter than the average light. Sit in front of it for about 30 minutes each morning. - You don´t have to stare at the light, just be around it. Read the paper, carry on a conversation, eat breakfast, or even watch television, but keep the light box is in your peripheral vision. - About 60-80% of patients show improvement after sitting under a light box for 30 minutes or longer each day. Relief can come in two to 14 days. If light therapy isn´t effective, your doctor or mental health professional may prescribe antidepressant medication or discuss seeking counseling.