September 8, 2006, Newsletter Issue #83: Winter Blues: Psych-tips, Issue 20

Tip of the Week

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My Tip of the Week: Treating the Winter Blues
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Over the past few weeks we´ve been discussing 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.

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My Recommended Site of the Week
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This article from Time magazine discusses the value of light therapy

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/1998/dom/981026/personal_time.your_heal9a.html


Tara Kuther, Ph.D., is a professor of developmental psychology and freelance writer. Visit her latest site, ImprovingMe.com, for self improvement, self help, and personal growth resources. Http://www.ImprovingMe.com

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