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- Light therapy, also known as phototherapy and bright light therapy, is a therapy used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. Primarily, it's used to treat a common type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is also known as the winter blues or seasonal depression.
www.verywellmind.com › what-is-light-therapy-and-is-it-right-for-you-5097392What Is Light Therapy and Is It Right For You? - Verywell Mind
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What is bright light therapy?
Can bright light therapy treat seasonal affective disorder?
Can bright light therapy help you feel better?
Can bright light therapy help with depression?
Bright light therapy is a treatment for people who have circadian rhythm sleep disorders. These rhythms include body temperature & alertness.
- Linking Light Therapy and Seasonal Affective Disorder
- How Light Therapy Works
- What The Research Says
- Uses
- Benefits
- Is It Right For You?
- Types of Light Therapy Devices
- Tips
- Keep in Mind
Since gaining recognition as a treatment in the 1980s, light therapy has been a first-line treatment for SAD, which is a subset of depression that impacts women more often than men and tends to occur from the teen years through menopause. Lethargy, weight gain, disinterest in socializing, poor concentration, and feeling unhappy, irritable, and agit...
Light therapy is easy to use. All it takes is a light therapy box or lamp, which you simply plug in, turn on, and sit close enough to for your eyes and skin to absorb the light for an allotted amount of time. The machines themselves are typically composed of fluorescent lights on a metal reflective base with a plastic screen on top to diffuse the l...
Research shows that lower levels of serotonin are associated with depressionand that light therapy is an effective remedy. Benefits are often seen after just one session, which typically lasts from 15 to 60 minutes. One study found that positive effects tend to be seen after 20 minutes, but that the optimal duration for lightbox sessions is 40 minu...
As noted above, light therapy may be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions and is often the first treatment recommendation for those with SAD. It can be used on its own, particularly for those with milder symptoms, but is also effective when combined with talk therapy, behavior and/or lifestyle modifications (like exercise and positiv...
The efficacy of light therapy is well established, particularly for use with seasonal affective disorder. As noted above, however, it's important to understand that while light therapy often offers an improvement in depression symptoms, it does not offer a cure for SAD or other conditions. The benefits received from the boost of light are short-ter...
If you have SAD, other types of depression, or sleep issues, light therapy might be a good match for you, in conjunction with other treatments or on its own. Talk to your doctor or mental health providerabout how using a lightbox might benefit you and/or work into any other therapies you currently use. Consider if you will have the time and/or incl...
The specific lightbox or lamp you use can be recommended by a counselor or medical provider or you can select and buy one yourself. There are many options of light therapy boxes and lamps available. As there are few worrisome side effects or contraindications and the devices are so easy to use, it may be safe to try out this therapy on your own, pa...
While light therapy is a relatively simple and accessible treatment, there are ways to maximize its effectiveness. Try the following suggestions to improve your results.
Light therapy might not be for everyone, but many people find some relief from symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, other forms of depression, and sleep issues while using these devices. As light therapy comes without any serious side effects and is so easy to self-administer from the comfort of home, this treatment is an appealing coping optio...
- Sarah Vanbuskirk
Oct 28, 2022 · Bright light therapy can help ease SAD, major depression, and perinatal depression. October 28, 2022. By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter. The transition from fall to winter means grayer skies, shorter days, and for some people, the return of seasonal affective disorder.
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Nov 16, 2023 · Light therapy is also known as light exposure therapy, circadian light therapy, bright light therapy, or phototherapy. Light therapy can be helpful for people with insomnia , circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and some types of depression.
Bright light therapy is used to manage circadian rhythm disorders such as delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), a condition which shifts the normal sleeping pattern outside what is considered the social norm.
Apr 13, 2023 · Bright light therapy is highly recommended and used for many conditions. However, it should not be the only treatment used when treating seasonal affective disorder, insomnia, and more. A 2015 study found that bright light therapy is more effective when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Sep 20, 2023 · Written by Shoshana Siegel. How Does It Work? How Effective Is It? Is It Safe? Are There Side Effects? 3 min read. Light therapy is a type of treatment for insomnia and other sleep...
