Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatments

Does Light Therapy Work For Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a seasonal disorder that occurs each year at the same time. Most individuals with this disorder begin to experience symptoms in the fall months that continue throughout the winter. Some individuals experience seasonal affective disorder during the spring or summer months although this is seen less often. Seasonal affective disorder treatments normally include medications, psychotherapy and light therapy.

Common symptoms of winter SAD include loss of energy, moodiness, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, social withdrawal, weight gain, changes in appetite, cravings for carbohydrates, difficulty with processing thoughts and concentrating, sleeping more and loss of interest in normal activities. Spring or summer SAD symptoms include insomnia, weight loss, loss of appetite, irritability, increase in sex drive and anxiety. Because this disorder is cyclic, symptoms come and go according to the time of the year.

The cause for seasonal affective disorder is unknown although some believe it could be due to genetics, mental health, age and the body’s chemical balance. Other factors that may contribute to this disorder are an individual’s circadian rhythm or internal clock. With the reduction in sunlight, the body’s biological clock can be disrupted causing confusion with when to be asleep and when to be awake. This could lead to the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Experts also believe that seasonal changes can affect melatonin and serotonin levels within the brain and could possibly cause this disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder treatments often include light therapy. With the use of a specialized light box, individuals sit within a few feet of the box for the exposure to the bright light. The box puts off a light that resembles natural outdoor light. This causes the chemicals within the brain to change, elevating mood. Light therapy is a safe and natural treatment that is very effective at reducing the symptoms of this disorder. Using light therapy may help in reducing the amount of medication that an individual may have to take for this disorder. It is also a good alternative treatment for individuals who cannot take antidepressants.

When choosing light therapy for seasonal affective disorder treatment Los Angeles physicians normally instruct patients to begin treatments at the beginning of the fall and continue throughout the winter months. Details of how long to use the light box each day and the required light strength should be discussed with the physician at a seasonal affective disorder treatment Los Angeles practice. Normally light therapy is done every morning upon awakening. Although light therapy is not a cure for seasonal affective disorder it is proven to help reduce symptoms, raise energy and help the individual feel better.