Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and certain other conditions by exposure to artificial light. SAD is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time of each year, usually in the fall or winter.
During light therapy, you sit near a device called a light therapy lamp. The lamp gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.
Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy lamp may also help with other types of depress, sleep disorders and other mental health conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.
Light therapy may be needed for a number of reasons:
- Your doctor recommends it for seasonal affective disorder or another condition.
- You want to try treatment that is safe and has few side effects.
- You want to increase the effectiveness of an antidepressant medication or mental health counseling.
- You need to avoid an antidepressant medications during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
- It may allow you to take a lower dose of an antidepressant medication.
Light therapy is used as a treatment for several conditions, including:
- SAD
- Types of depression that don’t occur seasonally
- Jet Lag
- Sleep disorders
- Adjusting to a nighttime work schedule
- Dementia
**Please see "Links & Resources" page for more information.