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Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/DN00013
Alternative medicine (1)
- Treatment-resistant depression
Coping and support (1)
- Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
Lifestyle and home remedies (2)
- Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box
- Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms
Risk factors (1)
- Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
Treatments and drugs (10)
- Light therapy
- Atypical antidepressants
- Dealing with depression
- see all in Treatments and drugs
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Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box
Light therapy boxes can offer an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Features such as light intensity, safety, cost and style are important considerations when you buy a light box.
By Mayo Clinic staffSeasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that generally occurs each year during fall and winter. A light therapy box is a proven seasonal affective disorder treatment. Light box therapy may be effective on its own. Or, light therapy may be most effective when it's combined with another seasonal affective disorder treatment such as an antidepressant medication or psychological counseling (psychotherapy). Light therapy boxes for seasonal affective disorder treatment are also known as light boxes, bright light therapy boxes and phototherapy boxes.
All light boxes for seasonal affective disorder treatment are designed do the same thing, but one may work better for you than another. So, find out your options before you buy one — and make sure you're getting the light therapy box that best suits your needs.
Understanding a light box
The light from a light box mimics outdoor light. This is thought to cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy can also be used to help adjust daily sleep cycles (circadian rhythm), which may play a role in mood. Light boxes are generally used for 30 minutes or longer each morning, with bright light shining indirectly toward your eyes.
You can buy a light box over-the-counter, without a doctor's prescription. Internet retailers, drugstores and even some hardware stores offer a variety of light boxes. Or, your doctor may prescribe a particular light box. In some cases, health insurance companies require a prescription from a doctor to cover the cost of a light box.
Different light boxes produce different types and intensities of light. They also come in different shapes and sizes and have different features. Light boxes are all designed to be safe and effective, but they aren't approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research on light boxes is still limited, so it can be challenging to sort out which ones are safest and likely to work best for your particular needs. That's why it's important to understand your options before you choose one.
Here's what to consider
Here are some things to think about when buying a light box for seasonal affective disorder:
- Is the light box made specifically to treat SAD? If a light box isn't specifically designed to treat seasonal affective disorder, it may not be safe or may not relieve your depression. Some light therapy lamps are specifically designed for skin disorders — not seasonal affective disorder or depression. These light boxes emit ultraviolet (UV) light that could damage your eyes if used incorrectly.
- How bright is it? Some light boxes are brighter than others — which means you need to use them for less time each day than dimmer light boxes to achieve the same effect. Look for a light box that provides the right intensity of light when you're a comfortable distance away. For example, it may be effective to use a light box that produces 10,000 lux (a measurement of light intensity) 12 to 14 inches (30.5 to 35.6 centimeters) from you for 30 minutes each morning. However, using a box that produces 2,500 lux at the same distance may take two hours or more to achieve the same effect.
- How much UV light does it release? Light boxes for seasonal affective disorder are designed to filter out most UV light, which can cause eye and skin damage. Some light boxes produce more UV light than others. Look for a light box that emits as little UV light as possible at high intensity. If you're not sure about the UV light exposure, contact the manufacturer for safety information.
- Does it use LEDs? Traditionally, light boxes have used fluorescent or incandescent lights. Some manufacturers are now selling light boxes with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs can produce light in a narrower, more targeted wavelength. LEDs are also more efficient and lighter weight than standard lights, and appear to work just as well.
- Does it emit blue light? White light is the standard type of light used in light boxes. But some light boxes give off blue light with a shorter wavelength. Some research shows blue light may be slightly more effective at reducing seasonal affective disorder symptoms than other types of light, but more research is needed to tell whether it's a better option. Although eye damage from using a light box is uncommon, blue light may pose a greater risk of harming your eyes than does white light. To help reduce this risk, don't look directly at the light source in any light box. Check with the manufacturer if you have concerns about a light box's safety.
- Is it the style you need? Some light boxes look like upright lamps, while others are small and rectangular. Some light boxes are sold in pairs that are used together. You can even buy a battery-powered light therapy device attached to a visor, but it isn't clear yet whether this type of light works as well as a standard light box.
- Can it be positioned appropriately? Think about where you'll want to place your light box. Keep in mind, most light boxes need to be positioned within 2 feet (61 centimeters) of you. Make sure the light box you choose can be positioned appropriately.
- Is it the type of box that simulates sunrise? Some light boxes simulate dawn - they turn on in the morning while you're asleep and gradually get brighter until you wake up. This may help regulate your sleep patterns if used correctly. However, keep in mind that to relieve depression you need to be exposed to bright light with your eyes open for 30 minutes or longer.
- How much does it cost? Prices vary, from about $100 to as much as $500. Health insurance plans don't always cover the cost of light boxes. Check with your insurance company to see if your benefits will cover the cost.
- Features. Some light boxes are operated with a simple on and off switch. But others offer a variety of features, such as adjustable brightness, programmable timers, clocks, carrying cases, stands, wall-mount options and extended batteries. Decide whether any of these features are going to help you get the most out of your daily light therapy sessions.
- Does your doctor recommend it? Before you purchase a light box, talk to your doctor, mental health provider or pharmacist. Ask about the light box you're thinking about buying. He or she may offer additional guidance or tips to make sure that treatment with a light box is safe and as effective as possible for you.
- Freeman MP, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in major depressive disorder: The American Psychiatric Association Task Force report. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2010;71:669.
- Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. Management of seasonal affective disorder. British Medical Journal. 2010;340:c2135. http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c2135.short?rss=1. Accessed Sept 10. 2010.
- Shirani A, et al. Illuminating rationale and uses for light therapy. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2009;5:155.
- Strong RE, et al. Narrow-band blue-light treatment of seasonal affective disorder in adults and the influence of additional nonseasonal symptoms. Depression and Anxiety. 2009;26:273.
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