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Artificial Light Therapy

For many people, depression affects every aspect of their lives. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 6.7 percent of people over the age of 18 suffer from major depression in the United States every year. Treatments for depression include medication, support group attendance and psychotherapy. However, for many people suffering from some form of depression, artificial light therapy offers another treatment option.

  1. Definition

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, artificial light therapy involves exposure to a bright artificial light source. Sitting near a source of light, provided from a device known as a light therapy box, individuals undergoing treatment are exposed to light mimicking natural sunlight. Artificial light therapy is also referred to as phototherapy or bright light therapy.

    Disorders Treated

    • Artificial light therapy is used to treat many different types of depression, primarily disorders involving changes in time or shift. Originally developed to treat seasonal affective disorder, light therapy is now used to treat many other disorders. Today, artificial light therapy is used to treat other nonseasonal types of depression, postpartum depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and various sleep disorders, among numerous other conditions.

    Potential Results

    • Through consistent use of light treatment, increasing duration in front of the light therapy box gradually and timing treatment appropriately according to season, symptoms may decrease. Individuals using artificial light treatment may experience increased energy and heightened self-esteem. However, the authors at the Mayo Clinic stress that artificial light therapy will not cure mental disorders, and may need to be paired with other treatments for optimum success.

    Advantages

    • Artificial light therapy offers many advantages when compared to other treatments. For anyone with a desire to avoid medication, or have experienced unsatisfactory results while using medication, light therapy offers a viable alternative. Artificial light therapy can be used for women who are either pregnant or breast-feeding, without the risks of medications affecting the baby. Finally, due to the relatively low cost of acquiring a light therapy box, when compared to ongoing medical and psychiatric treatment, artificial light therapy is a good option for those without sufficient medical insurance.

    Potential Risks

    • Artificial light therapy is not without risks, although they are relatively uncommon. Physical effects, such as eyestrain, headache, fatigue and nausea can occur in people undergoing light therapy. Changing treatment variables, like the amount of light exposure, can reduce these effects, which usually will subside within a few days. The Mayo Clinic warns against people with any sort of light sensitive condition, and those using medications causing light sensitivity, from using light therapy treatment. In addition, artificial light therapy may cause problems in individuals suffering from severe depression and bipolar disorders. Anyone considering light therapy treatment should consult their physician before beginning.

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