According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that generally takes place during the fall and winter months. SAD can last for several months and is usually thought to be caused by a lack of exposure to natural light. As such, it is prevalent in the northern parts of the globe and treated with bright lights that mimic outdoor lighting.
Step 1
See a psychiatrist or a psychologist to determine if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or if you could benefit from light therapy. If the mental health professional agrees that you suffer from SAD, he may recommend that you buy a specific type of lamp or mirror and start light therapy. The length and duration of the treatment depends strongly on your symptoms and diagnosis, so follow the instructions that are given to you by this professional.
Step 2
Acquire a specialized lamp or mirror for your needs as recommended by your psychiatrist or psychologist. According to Columbia University, the coverage offered by insurance companies on light therapy is inconsistent, so it is possible that you may have to pay for the lamp yourself.
Step 3
Start administering the treatment exactly as prescribed by your psychiatrist or a psychologist. Alterations in the duration and timing of the treatment can render the benefits of your treatment less effective.
Step 4
Assess how successful the light therapy treatment you have received has been for you after about a month. If you haven’t experienced any positive changes in your mood or sleeping patterns by then, chances are the treatment is not working for you. Light therapy is not FDA-approved and does not work for everyone.
Step 5
Talk to whoever prescribed the treatment to you if it does not seem to be effective. For example, your psychiatrist may recommend modifying your treatment by prescribing melatonin or other compounds in hopes of increasing the effects of the treatment.
Tips and Warnings
- Establishing a habit by always doing the same activity, such as reading the newspaper, during your light therapy will help you not to miss treatments.
- Be aware that light therapy may cause certain rare side effects, such as agitation, nausea, vomiting and irritability.
Things You'll Need
- Specialized lighting
