Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

"More than thirty years of clinical and neurobiological research support the diagnosis of SAD."(1)

"SAD is a type of clinical depression that regularly occurs in the winter, with normal mood in the summer. Light therapy is an effective and safe treatment for SAD. (...) Self-diagnosis or self-treatment of SAD is not recommended because there are other medical causes for depressive symptoms, and because light therapy may be harmful to people with certain medical conditions" (2) 

IMPORTANT: Light therapy is used for much more than SAD (see below "Areas in Which Light Therapy Is Used")

INTERESTING FACTS

• In Florida, SAD affects about 1.4% of the population; above the 38th parallel about 5%; it rises to over 9% in Alaska (3,4).

• Another 14% of adults suffer a lesser form of SAD known as the winter blues (5), and about one third of adults experience winter slumps (fall or winter gloom that could last until May) (4).

• A study found that 46% of women with SAD also suffered from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS) (6).

• Current medications are effective for treating depression, but do not help perhaps half of those seeking help (7).

• If used appropriately and with effective follow-ups by a professional, light therapy has a success rate of 60-80%, according to different studies.

• Light therapy can deliver its effects as rapidly as within 4-6 days, with few side effects and easy adjustments.

AREAS IN WHICH LIGHT THERAPY IS USED 

WARNING: DO NOT USE WITHOUT CONSULTING A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL

• SAD, winter blues and winter slumps

• Depression (nonseasonal, recurrent)

• Chronic depression

• Depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS)

• Bipolar disorder

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Eating disorders (e.g. bulimia nervosa)

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Parkinson's disease

• Alzheimer's disease (mild cognitive impairment)

• Borderline personality disorder (sleep quality and daytime alertness)

• Shift work

• Jet lag disturbance

• Sleep-wake disorders:

  • Delayed and advanced sleep-phase disorders, and non-24 hour sleep-wake disorder  

  • Age-related insomnia

all bullets above are taken from (1.) - see below

POPULAR SPEAKING and                  TRAINING TOPICS

Light Therapy

• Winter Blues and the W5 of Light Therapy

• Let's Be Bright: Supercharging Our Brain with Light

• Chronotherapeutics and Light Therapy (for professionals)

Depression AND RESILIENCE

• Essential Steps to Beating Depression

• From Surviving to Thriving: A Lifestyle of Difference

MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

INDIVIDUALS

• How do I know if I need light therapy?

• How does light therapy really work?

• What type of lamp should I use?

• How, when, how long and at what distance should I use a lamp?

• What are the side effects and risks?

• What type of bulbs are used? Could I build my own?

• What if I have eye or skin issues? 

• Can it be used jointly with medication?

• What about UV, vitamin D and omegas?

• Do I get the same benefits from the sun or through a window?

• Is this the same as a tanning bed?

• Do insurance companies cover costs?

ORGANIZATIONS

• Should we get our work place assessed?

• How would employees/patients/clients/students/etc. benefit from improved lighting?

• Is this worth the investment? 

• How do we know if this is working?

• Where do we start?

CALL TO SET UP YOUR GROUP TRAINING OR INVITE DR. FILION AS SPEAKER.

-These two lamps are presented because they answer researchers’ criteria (see references below) and my clients benefit from them .

-FILION Psychology Professional Corporation has no financial interest in the companies that make these products, nor does it take any responsibility for these products.