Treat Seasonal Affect Disorder With Light Therapy
For some people, fall means going back to school and buying cute boots and sweaters. For others, fall means that old familiar depression is right around the corner.
Seasonal Affect Disorder, or SAD for short, affects millions of people in this country. Some sufferers don’t even know they have SAD, they just assume they get the “winter blues” every year. But SAD is a very real condition that has garnered much study and research by the medical community.
Without getting too technical, Seasonal Affect Disorder is caused by the decrease of light in fall and winter months. Sunlight, which is full spectrum light, actually plays a key role in our brain chemistry. Sunlight helps to balance the levels of Serotonin and Melatonin. When these levels are off, we’re off.
It wasn’t too long ago that doctors would automatically prescribe medication to their patients who complained of being in a funk. But now, the most common (and much more natural) way to treat Seasonal Affect Disorder is with Light Therapy.
Light therapy consists of sufferers sitting in front of a light therapy lamp. These are full spectrum lamps specifically designed to treat Seasonal Affect Disorder. Sitting in front of a tanning lamp or household lamp won’t work. The light your eyes need to receive in order to balance your brain chemistry is full spectrum light, just like light from the sun.
Scientists have been surprised to find that SAD therapy lights seem to have the same effect as synthetic drugs, but the results come much quicker, generally between 48 hours to 2 weeks after treatment has started. Prescription drugs generally have unwanted side effects and can take up to six weeks before any relief is felt.
Light therapy lamps can be purchased either at specialty stores or online. They can vary greatly as far as size, features and price, so make sure to do some research before you shop and find one that is best suited for your specific needs.
Need help choosing the right light for your Seasonal Affect Disorder? Our straightforward comparison guide makes the process quick and easy. Choose a light therapy now.
Peggy is a writer with a background in the personal development arena. Watching her mother battle depression for years was a catalyst in her research on Seasonal Affective Disorder. Peggy is a contributing writer and editor at Sepia Marketing, whose main focus is putting out quality consumer guides. Their SAD lights comparison guide can be found at http://www.sadlites.info.
