LIGHT THERAPY AND DEPRESSION
Imagine this. A woman sitting in front of a high-intensity light box as part of her treatment for a disorder called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) many people with this disorder experience periods of depression that start in the winter season. Daily exposure to bright light helps to prevent this disorder.
75 percent of people who suffer from SAD are helped by light therapy, especially those that over sleep and feel worse in the evening.
As stated above light therapy involves sitting in front of a light- intensity box or by wearing a light visor for half an hour a day. The treatment usually produces the desired result in a week.

Some studies postulate that by exposing SAD patients to low levels of light in the early morning creating an artificial dawn can reduce depression.

The occurrence of SAD varies by latitude with occurrence increasing at higher latitude. In North America SAD is much more common than in Canada, where it affects about 8 percent of people than, in a state like Florida where it affects 2 percent of people there. Other people may experience milder seasonal changes in the circadian rhythm, energy level, mood and social activity.
It’s a fact that SAD accounts for 5 to 10 percent of cases of severe depression. Young people are more vulnerable to developing SAD than older people while between the genders women have a higher risk of having SAD than men.

SYMPTOMS OF SAD

1. Feeling either unhappy or profoundly indifference to people, work and activities
2. They think slowly and have poor concentration.
3. Those with severe depression may complain of feeling immoral, incompetent and may behave in an irrational and bizarre manner.
4. Increase appetite, weight gain and increased for foods that are high in carbohydrates including chocolates and sweets.
5. Sluggish and socially withdrawn.
6. People with the summer form of SAD often have a decreased appetite with weight loss, they sleep fewer hours and wake up depresses and feel restless and fidgety.