Will Light Box or Sun Lamp Therapy Help With SAD?
Will Light Box or Sun Lamp Therapy Help With SAD?
By Mary Zamost RN, quality care coordinator at Network Health
If you’re reading this, you likely already know what Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is. If not, SAD is a type of depression that typically occurs each year during fall and winter. The disorder is brought on by the decreasing amount of sunlight exposure that occurs during this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere.
If you suspect you may have SAD, don’t be afraid to reach out to your personal doctor. There are many possible treatments for the disorder, one of which is light box or sun lamp therapy. Though not a cure, it can provide some relief.
How Does Light Therapy Work and How Do You Use a Light Box?
Light therapy involves using a light box, sometimes known as a sun lamp, to expose the body to artificial light. The difference between such a device and the other lights you have at home is that they are designed to resemble sunlight. Because people with SAD are more likely to develop symptoms during the winter months when there is less natural light outside, exposure to a light box can help ease symptoms.
Light can have many effects on the brain. For example, the fluorescent lights you may have at your place of work can negatively impact your circadian rhythm, the physical and mental changes occurring over a 24-hour period that make you feel sleepy at night and awake during the day. This can lead to sleep problems, mood changes, digestion trouble and other effects on bodily functions.
Natural sunlight doesn’t have such an effect. In fact, it can help maintain the daily cycle of light and dark the brain needs to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. Therefore, a light box designed to mimic natural sunlight can help you avoid the abovementioned problems.
Can Light Boxes Be Bad for You?
Not all light boxes and sun lamps are the same. Specifically, ultraviolet (UV) lamps are different because they emit a clinically significant amount of UV radiation.
UV lamps are used for phototherapy, which is a different kind of light treatment than the one we’ve discussed. UV light does have therapeutic uses for mood and sleep, but it has a downside. In the same way too much sunlight can harm you, too much light from a UV lamp can do the same, causing sunburn and increasing your risk for skin cancer. It can also damage your eyes.
It’s important to note, however, that there is no official UV threshold that distinguishes UV lamps from a sun lamp or light box. Whichever product you buy should note if it emits UV light. It is recommended you avoid any sun lamps that emit UV light or purchase one with a UV filter.
If you have SAD and are interested in using a light box or sun lamp for relief, we encourage you to consult with your personal doctor. If you live in our home state of Wisconsin and need mental health resources, consider the following organizations.
The Connection - N.E.W. Mental Health, Northeast Wisconsin
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Fox Cities, Milwaukee, National
Additional References and Resources
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Medical News Today – What Is Serotonin, and What Does It Do?
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – National Resource
