Depression treatments are many and varied. There are pluralities of treatments that are made available. Amongst these, light therapy for depression has been proven to be safe and successful. This type of treatment does not involve medication or therapy. After having an expert monitor the dosage and the duration of the treatments, Iight box therapy for depression treatments can be done in the comfort of your home. In this article, information on the functioning of light therapy is made available as well as what type of depression is it successful with. While it is commonly known to be effective with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it has also been proven to be a valuable treatment method for major depression, ante- partum and post-partum depression, PPMD and bipolar disorder. In addition, light therapy products for depression are not all the same. There is a notable difference between white light therapy and blue light therapy as well as different product quality available on the market. Although light therapy for depression is considered a safe treatment, certain conditions apply.
Many treatments are available for treating depression. Most medical experts will likely take the medical route to treat a patient diagnosed with depression. On the other hand, many alternative treatments exist for treating depression including light therapy. Light box therapy for depression has been proven to be very effective.
What is light therapy?
Light therapy is a treatment involving the use of fluorescent light bulbs placed in a screened box (light box). The light box therapy for depression consists of exposing yourself to this intense light under controlled conditions. During treatments (1 to 2 times daily), the person should sit closely to the light box with the lights on. It is not required, nor is it recommended, to look directly at the light, although the person should be facing the light box. Actually, during treatments people are encouraged to pursue regular activities such as reading, eating, listening to music. Actually, the only prerequisite for the treatment to be effective is to be facing the light box while not directly looking at it. It’s as simple as that!
With which type of depression is it effective?
Traditionally, light therapy for depression was used for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Actually, it is the most effective type of treatment for SAD. During a study with a sample of 100 people the effects of antidepressants were compared to those of light therapy for depression. The results were astonishing: Not only was the light therapy proven to be as effective as antidepressants, but the positive effects of the light box started working in only one week’s time, compared to 8 weeks for the antidepressants. In recent research, it has been established that light boxes were as effective in treating other types of depression as well.
It has been proven to be an effective form of treatment for:
- Major (non-seasonal) depression
- Ante-partum depression (pregnancy depression)
- Post-partum depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PPMD)
While light therapy is effective for treating bipolar disorder, certain precautions should be taken. Since bipolar disorder (manic depression) consists of a severe mood disorder which involves intense mood swings going from depressive states (feeling down, sad) to manic states (feeling high, full of energy) it is important that the dosage and the timing of the treatments be specifically regulated. Since light therapy improves one’s mood, increases energy levels, it should not be used during manic episodes. Furthermore, the dosage must be regulated. Limited research has been conducted on the effects of light therapy and the inducement of manic episodes. It has been established that the timing of the treatments is extremely important when dealing with bipolar disorder. One of the recent studies in this subject concluded that light box therapy treatments in regards to bipolar disorder were most effective when done during the midday. In fact, early morning treatments (traditionally, treatments are done first thing in the morning and later during the day if two treatments are required), provoked episodes of mania. The combination of manic and depressive episodes when experienced at the same time can be very dangerous since the person feels sad and depressed while being aggressive and having a poor judgement.
What is the difference between white light and blue light therapy?
White light is also referred to as full spectrum light. This type of light resembles the outdoor daylight. Conversely, blue light focuses on one wavelength that is perceived by an area of the retina that only filters blue light. Since blue light boxes only need one wavelength, they are much smaller and less expensive than the white light boxes.
While they are more practical, the effect of the blue light boxes is controversial. Research findings have not been conclusive regarding the effectiveness of blue light therapy for depression. Furthermore, severe side effects such as macular degeneration (degeneration of the part of the retina that permits us to see) have been associated with the use of blue light boxes. Research is being conducted in order to determine the frequency and intensity necessary for such damage. On the other hand, white light therapy is supported by multiple research findings associating this type of light therapy with decreased depressive symptoms. While it is safer, white light therapy has some side effects such as: headaches, eye strain and in some rare cases: over activeness.
What to look for when purchasing a light box:
- The box should block UV rays
- It should provide 10,000 lux of illumination (lower levels of lux may not be as efficient and will make treatment times longer)
- White lights only, blue lights have not been supported by research findings.
- Should be tested by peer reviewed trials
- Do not opt for smaller, more portable models since it will make it more difficult to properly follow the treatment.
- Many different companies sell light therapy products; make sure to follow these tips before purchasing a light box.
Light therapy for depression has been proven to be effective in regards to helping people deal with different types of depression. A combination of antidepressants and light therapy has been determined as providing optimal results. While side effects related to white light therapy are not considered serious certain people should avoid this type of therapy:
- People with cataracts
- People with glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Diabetes
- Retinopathy
Before starting a light therapy treatment, consult a healthcare professional.