What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a mental health condition that affects about 14 percent of people in the United States. If you suffer from SAD, you may be prone to developing symptoms similar to clinical depression during the winter months. You may feel drained of energy, hopeless or anxious. It may be difficult for you to concentrate, to find enjoyment in activities that you once loved, to sleep properly or to get out of bed in the morning.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Scientists are only now beginning to learn what causes the condition, but there is a definite connection between the reduced amount of sunlight that marks the winter months and symptoms of SAD. Some experts believe that the body becomes unable to properly control its natural rhythms and chemical balances due to reduced sunlight levels.
Light Therapy For SAD
Studies have revealed that supplementing the amount of sunlight that a person receives during the winter months with a specially designed light therapy device may help to ease symptoms of SAD. Light therapy devices produce bright light that some researchers believe can help to correct the body's rhythms and promote chemical balance.
Do I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder?
If you believe that you may be experiencing symptoms of SAD, talk to your doctor about symptoms. He or she can provide a diagnosis and help you explore possible treatments. In addition, your physician can recommend what type of light therapy device is most likely to benefit you. The Light Therapy department has a wide range of freestanding and desktop models, so you're certain to find whatever your doctor recommends at drugstore.com.
What Else Is Light Therapy Used For?
Light therapy devices designed for at-home use are most commonly utilized for managing symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, but scientists have also begun to explore other potential therapeutic uses for artificial light. One area of investigation is whether or not specific types of light, such as blue light, can help to alleviate inflammation to soothe pain in the joints and muscles. Although research has yet to produce conclusive results, a small number of hand-held light therapy devices designed for pain relief are available on the market.
Is Light Therapy Good For Eczema?
There is also some evidence that intense light therapy treatments performed in physicians' offices can be beneficial for individuals with certain skin conditions, such as eczema and acne. You can purchase light therapy devices that could have the potential to produce similar benefits at home. Since many of the other potential uses of light therapy are still being studied, it is important that you talk to your doctor about adding a light therapy device to your treatment plan.
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