by William Remski

Created on: December 14, 2010   Last Updated: December 15, 2010

Seasonal affective disorder is mild to severe depression brought on by the lower light of the winter season. When the eyes sense low levels of light, a signal is sent to the pineal gland in the brain to release the hormone melatonin, which depresses bodily functions and signals the brain that it is time to sleep. It is believed that the higher levels of melatonin released in the low light of winter cause seasonal affective disorder. One treatment shown to produce improvement in this condition is exposure to bright light.

Lack of energy, social withdrawal, and difficulty waking up in the morning during the winter season are some of the signs of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. This condition typically begins in the fall as the day length decreases. SAD occurs in as much as 9.7 percent of the population in northern areas of the world. The first step in getting treatment for this condition is to recognize that you have a problem and see your doctor. Depending on the symptoms you have and their severity your doctor may recommend light therapy, antidepressants, or some form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Your doctor will also write you a prescription for the correct light box if light therapy is indicated, which may allow your health insurance to cover the cost of the device.

Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder involves sitting in front of a light box with eyes open yet averted from direct exposure. Generally, you will spend from 15 minutes to two hours exposed to the bright white light of the box. Light boxes with lower output will tend to need longer exposure times to be effective. The treatments are usually given at the beginning of the day, though they may be prescribed for other times to maintain the suppressive effect of light on melatonin production. It may be difficult to sit for long periods of time in front of a light box, and this leads to non-compliance with treatment. Improvement is usually shown in the first week of treatment, and treatment should continue until natural light increases in the environment.

An alternative to sitting in front of a light box is to simulate dawn. A light box is programmed to increase output in the morning, from low light conditions to full brightness. This is done as the person sleeps, and can act as an alarm clock. Sometimes both dawn simulation and bright light therapy are used to control SAD. It is less inconvenient to have the light therapy in the morning instead of sitting in front of a light box for extended periods. Also, lower light levels are used in dawn simulation than in bright light therapy.

It is possible to buy a light box or dawn simulation equipment without a prescription, but it would be better to see a doctor. A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and prescribe a schedule for therapy. If light therapy does not provide relief for your symptoms, a doctor can also get you other treatments. Depression is a serious condition and should not be left untreated. If you have a problem with seasonal affective disorder, see a doctor. Light therapy is one option that has been shown to provide relief for this common condition.

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