Infrared Light Treatment for Depression

Infrared light treatment uses regular exposure to full-spectrum bright light to assist the body with moderating circadian rhythms, or waking and sleeping cycles. Also known as phototherapy or bright light therapy, infrared light therapy has been found effective in treating non-seasonal and seasonal forms of depression, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Description

• During infrared light treatment, patients sit for a specified amount of time near a light therapy box with their eyes open but averted from the light. Sessions last from 15 minutes to two hours and usually occur in the morning after waking.

Features

• A consistent schedule is the most important component of effective infrared light therapy. Under the supervision of a doctor, a patient will follow a daily or weekly treatment schedule, either in the doctor's office or with a light box in the patient's home.

Benefits

• The benefits of infrared light treatment for depression can be observed within a few days to a few weeks. Patients usually experience improvement in everything from overall mood and outlook to decreased appetite and improved sleep, without relapse during treatment.

Side Effects

• Infrared light treatment may cause mild, temporary side effects. Patients can experience headaches, eyestrain, exhaustion, agitation and queasiness. Slight adjustments, such as longer session breaks or reduced treatment time, can minimize these effects.

Warnings

• For patients with acute depression or with bipolar disorder, infrared light treatment has the potential to precipitate manic episodes. On rare occasions, light therapy has been linked to suicidal thoughts and actions in severely depressed patients.