Seasonal Affective Disorder and Light Therapy

Article by: The Relief Shop Medical Supplies Team

Light therapy lamps and products are for "winter-blues" depression and SAD, also known as seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression that normally occurs during the fall and winter when the days are shorter.

Some believe our circadian or normal biological rhythms that influence sleepiness, hunger and other physiological and psychological functions are affected when we receive shorter amounts of daylight. A couple of these areas are our melatonin levels (for sleep) and serotonin levels (low levels cause depression).

SAD is more common in the northern part of the states because the winters are longer and harsher. Some people with SAD experience very mild symptoms while others are debilitated. Symptoms return year after year and come and go at about the same time every year.

Symptoms can include depression, a desire to be alone, weight gain, decrease in energy level, over sleeping, craving for sweets and starches, difficulty concentrating, irritability and anxiety.

Phototherapy is a treatment for SAD. It is a light therapy that involves lamps or light boxes that use full-spectrum bright light. You should stay within 2 feet of the light for 30 minutes a day. The light required is approximately 25 times normal living lighting. Tanning beds should not be used to treat SAD. Light sources in tanning beds are high in ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can harm your eyes and skin.

Light therapy lamps for seasonal affective disorder at The Relief Shop Medical Supplies include:
Uplift Day-Light 10,000 LUX of white light clinically proven to help alleviate symptoms of SAD.
Northern Light TRAVelite - portable bright light therapy with 10,000 LUX of full spectrum light.