People who suffer from SAD are affected by the amount of daylight exposure they receive. The hormone melatonin, which helps regulate hormone secretion, body temperature and sleep, is produced in the brain during hours of darkness. The decrease in daylight hours in autumn and winter causes an increased production of melatonin in SAD sufferers, which results in the onset of debilitating symptoms of depression. Exposure to bright light is effective in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.
The incidence of SAD as well as its severity is influenced by several factors including geographical location, family history of SAD, recent illness or spending a major portion of the day in a windowless room. Light therapy works on the principle that exposure to bright light can suppress the production of melatonin in the brain, which regulates the internal clock of the body and reduces symptoms.
A light box is a small portable device that is comprised of fluorescent tubes or bulbs. It is specially designed to provide a precise amount of balanced spectrum light that is equivalent to being out in the sun on a clear, sunny spring day. In mimicking outdoor light, the light box causes biochemical changes in the brain that help in synchronizing wake/sleep patterns, regulating the body clock and relieving symptoms of SAD.
During Light Box Therapy the user is required to sit directly in front of the light box at a specific distance, which depends upon the required intensity. For light therapy to be effective it is necessary for the light from the light box to enter the eyes indirectly. Just exposing the skin to the light does not have the same effect. Looking directly into the light can damage the eyes and is not advisable, except in a few patients who are asked to look into the light for brief moments before looking away again. However, sunglasses are not to be worn during light therapy as it blocks the light from entering the eye, adversely affecting the effectiveness of the therapy.
Light therapy is now considered a standard treatment for SAD. It offers numerous potential benefits for SAD sufferers especially for those who are averse to taking antidepressants or for those tried antidepressants and found them ineffective.
SAD or seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that percolates into people in the winter months. Though the spread is effective from the month of September, it generally assumes worrying proportions between December-February. The reason is simple. Daylight hours are shorter in winter. In absence of regulars dose of sunlight, the hypothalamus begins to suffer (it is the heat and temperature receptor). This causes feeling of gloom and sadness.
This is manifest by people who do everything possible during winter to brighten themselves. They let more light filter through the window, they allow the blinds to be drawn up. They even head south for a vacation. The intention is just to beat the gloom caused by lack of light.
Sad light boxes are providing light therapy to cut on such impending feeling of gloom. Light therapy is the standard treatment used for the disorder. It is important though to neatly understand the benefits and demerits of the SAD light therapy.
SAD light boxes are tiny portable devices comprising of fluorescent bulbs and tubes. They are targeted on our open eyes. Such light therapy imitates the outdoor light and hence alters the chemical balance of the brain relieving us of the gloomy depressive feeling. Though Food and Drug Administration has not attested light therapy owing to lack of evidence during clinical trials, the therapy has already been approved by people and therapists who consider it standard treatment for the SAD patients.
SAD lights have been considered better than the various anti-depressants in the market. Sad Light Boxes are available at medical counters and prescriptions are not required. It is advisable anyways to consult a physician to find out if you need one at all.
Genetics and age contribute to SAD. It is largely determined by how body manages its internal biological rhythms or keeps it in sync with a 24 hour day. Melatonin, a hormone produced during dark hours is generally attributed with the disorder. In patients, the amount of melatonin secreted becomes higher during winter months and thus the feeling of depression increases. Light therapy through SAD light boxes decrease the production of melatonin and thus suppress the symptom.
Light therapy is highly beneficial in many ways and SAD has quickened up as a rage. Few people try antidepressants but find it to be less effective. Further, they complain of side effects and harsh withdrawal symptoms. Some of them also lack insurance coverage for mental health services. Pregnant women subject to such gloom fear taking antidepressants anyways.
Light therapy through SAD light boxes have been considered useful in treating other symptoms as well. Anomalies like compulsive-obsessive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or postpartum depression are effectively remedied through SAD light.
It is important to align to three basic tenets of SAD light therapy. The first one is intensity. Intensity of light measured in Lux should ideally be between 2500 to 10000 lux. 10000 lux generally needs a 30 minutes session to dispel the gloom and is considered typical.
Second component is duration which should ideally be between 30 minutes to 2 hours. Light therapy should be a diurnal thing.
The last specific is time. It is important that light therapy is practiced during morning just after waking up.
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