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Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with Light in the Evening

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Steven P. James ,
Thomas A. Wehr ,
David A. Sack ,
Barbara L. Parry  and
Norman E. Rosenthal
Steven P. James*
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychobiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Building 10, Room 4S-239, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20205, USA
Thomas A. Wehr
Affiliation:
National Institute of Mental Health
David A. Sack
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychobiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health
Barbara L. Parry
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychobiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health
Norman E. Rosenthal
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychobiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

A cross-over comparison study of exposure, in the evenings only, to bright versus dim light was carried out on nine female patients with seasonal affective disorder. A significant antidepressant effect of the bright lights was shown. No consistent observable effects were produced by the dim lights. These results support earlier studies demonstrating the efficacy of bright light given morning and evening. The antidepressant effect of light is not mediated by sleep deprivation, and the early morning hours are not crucial for a response.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 147 , Issue 4 , October 1985 , pp. 424 - 428
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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