Light Therapy Treatments
What is light therapy?
Light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy and bright light treatment, is a treatment option that mimics natural sunlight for people who experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—also called seasonal depression—and nonseasonal major depressive disorder. Treatment with a light box works by having someone sit roughly two feet away from a light therapy box for about 30 minutes every day to absorb the benefits of the light.
This type of light can positively affect circadian rhythms, sleep, and mood. It can be particularly effective in treating the mental illness called SAD, or seasonal affective disorder—though a light box may also be used to address bipolar disorder, anxiety, as well as some medical conditions. However, in many cases, seasonal affective disorder light therapy can be most effective when combined with other treatment methods, such as full-spectrum light therapy and lifestyle changes. It can be possible to connect with a licensed therapist in person or online. Below, we’re going to discuss its effects on seasonal affective disorder, and how it can be utilized as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Potential symptoms of depression
- Irritability
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Decreased energy
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble sitting still
- Persistent anxiety
- Feelings of emptiness
- Persistent sadness
- Hopelessness
- Constant pessimism
- Feeling worthless
- Helplessness
- Loss of interest and/or pleasure in hobbies or activities
- Moving and talking slowly
- Loss of concentration
- Difficulty making decisions
- Difficulty remembering
- Constant over-sleeping or inability to wake, especially in the early morning
- Appetite change
- Sexual dysfunction
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts*
- Physical symptoms that have no clear cause and do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive issues, and pains
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available.
Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder beyond medications
Commercially available light therapy devices are designed to provide a high-intensity artificial light source (10,000 lux) to offer relief and treat SAD and other mood disorders. Researchers have also studied the effects of using a lower intensity artificial light at different wavelengths (colors). For example, studies show that a low-intensity blue-enriched white light at an intensity of 750 lux was equally as effective as the standard 10,000 lux bright light in treating SAD symptoms. Another study shows that blue light wavelength is more effective than red light wavelength in treating SAD symptoms.
Therapy with different light wavelength can also treat other conditions such as sleep disorders, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. As a part of environmental therapeutics, it can even be used for issues that may negatively affect your biological clock (sleep-wake cycle), such as jet lag or adjusting to a nighttime work schedule. In some cases, these lamps have even been used to help with dementia. However, SAD treatment is typically the main mental health disorder addressed by this form of treatment.
This type of lamp used in light therapy for depression is not to be confused with those used to treat skin conditions. Certain conditions, such as psoriasis or other skin disorders, can use UV therapy for treatment. It is important to make sure that if you are using a lamp for mental health issues, it does not emit UV light rays, because this kind of emitted light may damage your eyes and skin with consistent use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness during your sessions.
How does bright light therapy work? What do the lights do?
Light therapy typically uses devices such as light boxes that emit a bright light source with an appropriate light intensity. The light emitted from a light box is usually meant to mimic natural outdoor light. Often, the main trigger for seasonal affective disorder occurs during the dark days of fall and winter.
Intensity, time of day, and length of light therapy treatment
Studies show that optimal implementation for light therapy include choosing the right device, implementing a standardized treatment regimen, and performing treatment in the morning. Important considerations to make when choosing the right device include finding the right intensity and wavelength (color). During treatment, a person usually sits or works about two feet from the box with their eyes open for around 30 minutes each day.
Bright light therapy is generally safe. However, some people may experience mild adverse effects that are typically short-lived.
- Eye strain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Irritability or agitation
- Mania, euphoria, hyperactivity, or agitation associated with bipolar disorder
When to try light therapy for depression
Does light therapy work?
While light therapy can provide symptomatic relief, it is not generally meant to cure seasonal affective disorder or any other type of depression. It may be used in conjunction with antidepressant medications or cognitive behavioral therapy. A light box, including smaller light boxes, is typically intended to ease symptoms over several weeks through a more natural route, considering the physical characteristics of the emitted light. It can serve as a partial solution to the problem, especially for those with seasonal affective disorder, as Oldham MA suggests. By bringing light into your world, it can help the darker times of the year seem brighter and more bearable. In conjunction with psychotherapy, this method can provide comprehensive support for individuals coping with depression.
Aside from or in addition to light therapy, talk therapy can be an excellent and effective form of treatment for depression. However, it may be particularly challenging to find a local therapist, schedule an appointment, leave the house, and drive to the therapist’s office. If this is the case for you, you may wish to consider online therapy. With online therapy, you can connect with a licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your home, eliminating many of the steps to getting the support you deserve. In addition, it is often much easier to switch therapists as needed until you find one that you’re comfortable with.
What does light therapy treat?
Light therapy is most commonly associated with the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). However, according to Harvard Health Publishing, it may also be effective for treating other types of depression, like perinatal depression and major depression. Light therapy for depression may be recommended with other treatments like talk therapy in many cases.
Other forms of light therapy—like LED light therapy treatments (light-emitting diode therapy treatments) or ultraviolet light therapy, which uses ultraviolet radiation—may also be effective for addressing certain medical problems. For example, LED light therapy may have the ability to reduce inflammation, speed up wound healing, and treat some types of skin cancer. Older research published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that some types of phototherapy may even help with neonatal jaundice. Note, however, that improper use of therapy lights, LED lights, or other devices could result in eye damage or other harm, so it’s important to consult with a licensed care provider before using one for medical or mental health purposes.
When a person with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) uses the right kind of light therapy lamp in accordance with their doctor’s advice or their therapist’s guidelines, they may see a reduction in symptoms. Research indicates the potential effectiveness of this approach, with a 2019 review of more than one randomized clinical trial suggesting that bright light therapy “can be regarded as an effective treatment for SAD.”
Does light therapy treatment work for anxiety?
Light exposure therapy is not typically recommended for anxiety disorders. That said, findings from a placebo-controlled trial suggest that using the right type of at-home device for light therapy may help regulate a person's circadian clock, which could result in better sleep and, therefore, help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Blue light is often associated with a calming atmosphere, so it may help some people feel less anxious. Research also suggests that red light exposure may help improve sleep quality, which may reduce anxiety in turn over the longer term.
Some research indicates that exposure to red light may improve sleep quality, which could help reduce anxiety symptoms in some people. For this application, having a red light in one's living area or bedroom might be effective.
What color light fights depression?
For people with some types of depression, light therapy may be recommended by a doctor or therapist. This type of therapy involves sitting in front of a specific type of lamp called a light box for a prescribed amount of time each day. According to the National Center for Environmental Therapeutics, light therapy is now widely considered the treatment of choice for seasonal affective disorder.
Do light therapy lamps give vitamin D?
Light therapy lamps are generally not able to give a person vitamin D. If you are vitamin D-deficient, it's usually recommended that you speak with your doctor.
It's important to do light therapy for the amount of time recommended by your doctor or therapist. In most cases it's around 30 minutes a day, but individual recommendations may vary.
Is light therapy for mental health real or fake?
Light therapy is a real approach for treating certain mental health conditions like seasonal affective disorder and perinatal depression. A robust body of research suggests its potential effectiveness for these illnesses.
Various studies have been conducted to compare the respective success rates of light therapy and medication for those with seasonal affective disorder. According to research from 2019, both can be effective, but light therapy was found to produce faster benefits than medication and may also help regulate an individual’s circadian rhythm. The study's authors suggest that the two approaches may be used in combination for best results. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or engaging in light therapy treatment.
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