How Do You Treat Depression With Light Therapy?
Light therapy, or phototherapy, uses a combination of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent lamps and lasers to produce the full spectrum of light under controlled circumstances. This type of therapy has been shown to be effective in treating some types of depression. It may be a more desirable treatment option over psychotherapy and antidepressants because results may be obtained much more quickly. Consult with your physician for a diagnosis of depression, and find out whether light therapy is a viable form of treatment. Light therapy can be extremely effective for seasonal-affective disorder, or the winter blues, especially in northern regions where sunlight may be limited in the winter months. Light therapy is starting to gain acceptance as a way to treat other forms of depression as well. Treat your depression with light therapy by receiving treatments early in the morning for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The light may be administered from a variety of sources, including lasers, fluor
