Light Box Therapy For Depression

Typically light therapy is meant to compensate for the lack of exposure to sunlight that is thought to be linked to major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns.

Light box therapy for depression.

The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. They re flat screens that produce full spectrum fluorescent light usually at an intensity of 10 000 lux. By mayo clinic staff seasonal affective disorder sad is a type of depression that typically occurs each year during fall and winter. Light therapy is one of the go to treatments for seasonal affective disorder sad a type of seasonal mood disorder that leaves people feeling lonely depressed or isolated typically strikes.

Light therapy may also work to combat depression risk and other conditions including jet lag. Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep easing sad symptoms. Using a light therapy box may also help with other types of depression sleep disorders and other conditions. Light therapy is a mood altering treatment and just as with drug treatments there is a possibility of triggering a manic state from a depressive state causing anxiety and other side effects.

3 to treat sad a light box needs to have a minimum power rating of at least 10 000 lux. You ll sit near a light box. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy. Light therapy boxes can offer an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder.

While most light therapy boxes emit white light there are some people who prefer a blue light which is supposed to be more energizing than other colors like red or yellow. Features such as light intensity safety cost and style are important considerations. If you are diagnosed with sad there are a number of different treatment options. Light therapy is helpful for 50 to 80 of people with sad.

Northern light technologies boxelite 10 000 lux bright light therapy light box black 4 1 out of 5 stars 210. Light boxes light boxes are the standard light system used for sad in clinical studies. Treatment for sad may include light therapy phototherapy psychotherapy and medications.