Bright Ideas for Treating the Winter Blues Lisa Hewit Garrett Brown Kevin Clark

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Affects approx. 6% of Americans About 15% suffer at least a mild version Symptoms: –Depression –Lethargy –Irritability –Desire to avoid social situations

Light Therapy Most common treatment for SAD Sit before intense light minutes each day Acts as replacement for lost sunlight Sunlight & Circadian Cycle Theory Relieves roughly 80% of cases

Calculating Your Melatonin Onset Point Web site of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics CenterCenter for Environmental Therapeutics Center One must achieve the proper timing and dosing of light therapy Depression should lift in as little as three days

The Product According to CET, the best light boxes provide 10,000 lux of illumination—many times stronger than typical indoor light—and have a broad diffuser screen that filters out ultraviolet rays and projects downward toward the eyes. The group's Web site sells a recommended model with a stand for $180recommended model

Competitors Blue Light Controversy Last year, Philips Electronics NV introduced portable models, the goLITE BLU, which uses shortwave blue light ($199), and the briteLITE, which uses white light with added blue spectrum ($230). A study of 18 moderately depressed patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital, supported in part by the manufacturer, found that both types of lights used for 45 minutes a day for three weeks lifted depression in 82% of subjects. The study was published in September in a Scandinavian journal.

Other Expensive Cures to SAD Ion generators Down Simulation Therapy Antidepressants Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Examples for SaleSale

Less Expensive Cures to SAD Vitamin D therapy Suntanning (sunlight and bed) Outdoor exercise Dieting