Like most Americans, when you are feeling blue for an extended period of time, you probably head to the doctor in search of a little prescription therapy. Don’t worry. You are not alone. We are products of a culture that believes if there is a problem, there is a pill to solve it. However, when it comes to treating SAD, there are alternatives.

Prozac and Zoloft, the two most commonly prescribed medications for SAD come with inherent risk. Common side effects for Prozac include altered vision, abnormal dreams, increased anxiety, dizziness, impotence, insomnia and nausea. Zoloft has its own laundry list of side effects which include drowsiness, nausea, constipation, insomnia, decrease in sex drive, headache and weight change.

Now let’s examine the side effects of light therapy. Other than mild eye strain and few reports of headaches, light therapy does not have any serious side effects. That’s right. You can feel better without putting your health at further risk.

With winter right around the corner, now is the time to think about combating SAD the safe way. Instead of reaching for that prescription bottle, reach for a light switch instead. Your body will thank you.

Skin Phototherapy also known as light therapy is used for treating a number of skin conditions.  It was first used in the treatment of psoriasis and it has proved effective for a number of other skin conditions including vitiligo, eczema, lymphoma and itchy skin.  It should be noted that this treatment is not effective against all of the type of eczema and psoriasis and can actually intensify symptoms in some cases.

Phototherapy works by stimulating the skin’s immune system, which causes a reduction in inflammation and speeds the shedding of abnormal cells.  Since it is impossible to specifically target the abnormal cells on a cellular level healthy cells will be hit as well, which has the potential side effect of burns, freckling, premature aging of the skin and possibly even skin cancer.  The burns can be compared to a mild form of sunburn. 

Consequently people who are sensitive to light or have medical problems including skin cancer, macular degeneration or a weakened immune system should not get this treatment.  Phototherapy doesn’t work on all skin conditions and reponse to treatment is very individualized.  This treatment should only be administered by properly trained personnel as the dosages and the patients response to treatment should be closely monitored and adjusted accordingly.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a pretty straight forward disorder: When the days turn gray, you get down. So it stands to reason that those in the extreme northern and southern latitudes are more likely to encounter SAD, as well as it’s summer opposite, Hypomania, because of the more extreme seasonal changes in those climates.
The Irish, and those of the Nordic Countries, tend to have it the worst, along with Alaskans in the United States. (Noticing a trend?) The trend was first noticed in the 6th century by the Goth scholar Jodanes. Interestingly enough, the residents of Iceland do not experience SAD. It’s still unknown why, but studies point to genetics or a fish-heavy diet, which is rich in Vitamin D, although there is no proof that Vitamin D is a treatment for SADness.
A survey performed in the Netherlands showed that one in every ten suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the number is twice that in Ireland. The same Irish survey also suggested that women are more likely to suffer from SAD than men.
Many of those who endure Seasonal Affective Disorder also experience Major Depressive Disorder, or more commonly, “Clinical Depression.”  As many as 20% of patients may go on to develop a Bi-Polar disorder. It is very important to note the difference between a manic episode and an improvement in mood due to the recovery from winter depression because the differences in treatment are vast.

DSPD, or “Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome” is a difficult to treat sleep disorder that forces the sufferer into a drastically off-set, but otherwise normal, sleep pattern. Usually developing in early adolescence and childhood, it can have a drastic and long-term effect on the lives of those diagnosed with it.
Essentially, sufferers of DSPD are unable to retire to bed before a certain hour, the average time being 4 a.m., and their natural sleep cycle awakens them at noon. Obviously this would create obstacles for the child being aroused at an earlier time for school. They would be drowsy, and less alert. Since DSPD is a little-known and relatively recently defined disorder, most who live with it are labeled as lazy, or undisciplined. This simply isn’t true. Although DSPD can be difficult to treat, there is hope. Light Therapy is the most affordable, and arguably the most effective, option. Using a 10,000 lux, full-spectrum light box for 15 – 30 minutes in the morning can help to advance your circadian rhythm, allowing for an earlier and healthier start to your day. Conversely, bright light at the end of your day can delay your desire to sleep. eliminating bright lights from your environment before you choose to go to bed, even to the extreme of wearing shaded glasses, can help SDPD sufferers adjust to a more socially normal Sleep-wake schedule.