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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffYou may want to try light therapy for a number of reasons:
- It's a proven seasonal affective disorder treatment.
- You have another condition, such as nonseasonal depression or insomnia, and your doctor recommends it.
- You want to try treatment that is safe and has few side effects.
- You want to increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medication or mental health counseling (psychotherapy).
- You can't take antidepressant medications during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
- It may allow you to take a lower dose of antidepressant medication.
Light therapy for conditions other than SAD
In addition to seasonal affective disorder, light therapy is being studied as a treatment for other conditions, including:
- Types of depression that don't occur seasonally
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Jet lag
- Sleep disorders
- Adjusting to a nighttime work schedule
- Parkinson's disease
- Dementia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Light therapy is also used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis. However, this is different from the type of light therapy used for seasonal affective disorder and the other conditions above. Light therapy for skin disorders uses a lamp that emits ultraviolet (UV) light. This type of light is filtered out in light therapy boxes because it can damage the eyes and skin.
- Rosenthal NE, et al. Light therapy. In: Gabbard GO, et al. Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. 4th ed.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2007. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=257853. Accessed July 13, 2010.
- Terman M. Evolving applications of light therapy. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2007;11:497.
- Shirani A, et al. Illuminating rationale and uses for light therapy. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2009;5:155.
- Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. 2nd ed. American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=49541&searchStr=phototherapy#49541. Accessed July 13, 2010.
- Howland RH. Somatic therapies for seasonal affective disorder. Journal of Psychological Nursing. 2009;47:17.
- Sivamani RK, et al. The benefits and risks of ultraviolet tanning and its alternatives: The role of prudent sun exposure. Dermatologic Clinics. 2009;27:129.
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