April 20, 2007, Newsletter Issue #113: Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder
Tip of the Week
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 donīt 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 isnīt effective, your doctor or mental health professional may prescribe antidepressant medication or discuss seeking counseling.
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