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Archive for October, 2009

What is Light Therapy?

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Light Therapy is a way to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder and other conditions by exposure to bright, artificial light. To receive light therapy, you sit or work close to a device called a light therapy box. The light therapy box emits a bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. Exposure to this type of light from a light therapy box can alter your circadian rhythms and suppress your body’s natural release of melatonin. This can cause biochemical changes in your brain to reduce or control symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder.

A light therapy box emits a type and intensity of light that is not found in normal household lighting. Simply sitting in front of a lamp at home is unlikely to relieve your seasonal affective disorder symptoms or other problems. A light box delivers brighter, more focused light than you can find outdoors which makes it more effective than trying to get enough light exposure by being outside – especially on gloomy days.

Like any medical treatment, light therapy should be used under the supervision of a doctor. Individuals who have another type of depressive disorder, skin that is sensitive to light, or medical conditions that may make the eyes vulnerable to light damage should use light therapy with caution. The lights that are used for SAD light therapy must filter out harmful UV rays. For this reason alone, we only use broad spectrum lights. Unlike full spectrum, broad lights are as close as you can get to sunlight without the harmful UV rays

Who Does SAD Affect?

Monday, October 12th, 2009

SAD can affect adults, teens, and even children. It is estimated that about 6 in every 100 people (6%) experience SAD. The number of people with SAD varies from region to region. One study of SAD in the United States found the rate of SAD was seven times higher among people in New Hampshire than in Florida. This further suggests the farther people live from the equator, the more likely they are to develop SAD. Some individuals who work long hours inside office buildings with few windows can also experience symptoms all year round.

SAD is also more common in women than in men. Although some children and teenagers get SAD, it typically does not begin in people young than 20 years old. For adults, the risk of SAD decreases as they get older.

If you are feeling symptoms of winter depression, we suggest you seek the advice of a skilled clinician.

Top Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Seasonal affective disorder is a cyclic, seasonal condition. This kind of condition means the signs and symptoms come back and go away at the same times every year. Symptoms usually appear during the late fall or early winter months and subside during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Symptoms may begin mild but become more intense as the season progresses.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Depression and anxiety
  • Feeling of hopelessness
  • Lack of energy
  • Withdrawal from family, friends and social activities
  • Oversleeping
  • Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Appetite changes, especially the craving of foods high in carbohydrates
  • Weight gain
  • Difficulty concentrating and processing information.

Although these are the main symptoms denoted to SAD, symptoms can vary from person to person. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. We suggest that all interested persons seek the advice of a skilled clinician.


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Alaska Northern Lights

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