LIGHT THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION

Light therapy is most associated with seasonal affective disorder. SAD is a form of depression that hits some people during darker winter days. There are a growing number of studies pointing toward this therapy's effectiveness in treating nonseasonal depression. The University of British Columbia did a study with people who suffer from depression. Subjects were given Prozac, a placebo, light therapy or Prozac and light therapy for 8 weeks. The people who used light therapy or Prozac improved more than the placebo group. The most improvement was those who combined light therapy with Prozac. The light works the same as SAD treatments, by stimulating the retina. The retina signals the brain's hypothalamus. Then the hypothalamus funnels the information in many directions. One of those involved is boosting serotonin. To treat SAD, people use a special light. It costs around $150. The light should be of at least 10,000 lux. That is the equivalent of being outside on a clear spring day. It is placed 2ft. from the face. Most people use it for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning. The SAD light can exacerbate eye conditions so experts advice people with nonseasonal depression to consult their doctor before trying self-treatment.