What treatments exist for Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder normally involves light therapy or phototherapy. This is where you are exposed to bright artificial light for a short time - 30 minutes per day. The fluorescent light is designed to mimic normal daylight and appears to stimulate your circadian rhythm. This suppresses the level of melatonin produced naturally and you feel more alert.

The most common light therapy treatment uses a lightbox. A daily treatment of 30 minutes is required. This process is repeated daily until the longer days arrive - usually spring time. There are a few associated side affects with light therapy devices, but this depends on the time of day used, the type of device used and the duration of exposure.

The most common side affects include:

• Eyestrain
• Fatigue
  
• Headaches
  
• Irritability
• Impact on sleep

Overall, the side affects vary from person to person and really depends on the time and length of daily treatment. 30 minutes in the morning is long enough and normally avoids the side affects.

Alternative treatments for SAD include more traditional medications associated with general depression. These are not ideal as more side affects occur and they can be costly. Behavior therapy and counseling is another alternative. A combination of all 3 treatments is rare.

More cost effective solutions include more time spent outdoors during winter months - walking or gentle exercise. Even on overcast days, being outdoors and being exposed to natural daylight will help keep melatonin production in check.