Light therapy and seasonal affective disorder

Abstract

The symptoms and epidemiology of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are summarized. The management of recurrent winter depression with self-help, psychotropic medication, and psychological therapy is described briefly. The use and effectiveness of light therapy (in its various forms) in SAD are discussed. Other uses of light therapy (non-seasonal depression, bulimia nervosa, antepartum depression, jet lag, sleep/wake disorders, dementia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are outlined.