Prevention of winter seasonal affective disorder by bright-light treatment

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Partonen ◽  
Jouko Lönnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

SynopsisIn patients with winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) the onset of a depressive episode is probably associated with the decreasing amount of light during the autumn. A highly predictable onset of a recurrent depressive episode with seasonal pattern provides a rationale for testing the efficacy of bright-light treatment as a preventive measure. Twelve out-patients with winter SAD were assigned to start bright light treatment either when they were well, or not to start it until the first symptoms of depression had already emerged. The severity of depressive symptoms was prospectively rated for a parallel randomized comparison. Bright light given well in advance of the emerging symptoms prevented a depressive episode. Clinical remission was significantly more frequent in the former subgroup of the patients in January and in March. To sum up, bright light can be successfully administered as prophylactic treatment for the prevention of winter SAD.

Will light brighten the future of the depressed patient?

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.H. Van Den Hoofdakker ◽  
M.C.M. Gordijn
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Psychosocial Variable ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Treatment Experiment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities

The present explosive growth of interest in the therapeutic possibilities of exposure to light was triggered by a patient, Herbert Kern. He suffered from episodic depressive and manic complaints and discovered, by registering these over the years, a seasonal pattern in their occurrence. Discussions with scientists of the NIMH resulted in his participation in a bright light-treatment experiment when he was depressed in the winter of 1980-1981. He recovered.Next, the same group of investigators defined the criteria for a new syndrome, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): a history of major affective disorder (according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria), at least two consecutive years in which the depressions have occurred during fall or winter and remitted in the following spring or summer, and the absence of any clear-cut seasonally changing psychosocial variable, such as work, stress and so on.

Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with Light: Preliminary Australian Experience

1989 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain M. McIntyre ◽  
Stuart M. Armstrong ◽  
Trevor R. Norman ◽  
Graham D. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Significant Clinical Improvement ◽  
History Of ◽  
Australian Experience

Six patients with a history of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) were treated with bright artificial light. Patients presented with at least two consecutive years of loss of energy, difficulty in working, loss of interest in activities, difficulty in concentrating, increased somnolence, over-eating (carbohydrate craving) and depressed mood. All received seven consecutive days of full-spectrum bright light with an intensity greater than 2,500 lux at a distance of three feet. Evening exposure for two hours resulted in significant clinical improvement. The main improvements were a return to normal sleeping patterns, a reduction in eating habits, improved energy level, a desire to continue with interests and activities and an improvement in mood. Possible mechanisms for the clinical effects of bright light treatment are discussed.

Effects of light treatment on circadian rhythmicity in seasonal affective disorder

1992 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Partonen ◽  
B Appelberg ◽  
S Kajaste ◽  
M Partinen ◽  
M Härmä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Treatment Intervention ◽  
Subjective Sleepiness ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Bright Light Exposure

SummaryTwelve outpatients with seasonal affective disorder were treated by 1-h morning bright light exposure for 5 days. The light treatment intervention produced a significant phase advance of self-rated sleepiness rhythm, a significant decrease of the mean level of subjective sleepiness, and a significant reduction of depression scores. No significant objective circadian rhythm phase shift nor amplitude changes would account for the antidepressant effect.

scholarly journals Seasonal affective disorder and non-seasonal affective disorders: Results from the NESDA study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim H. Winthorst ◽  
Annelieke M. Roest ◽  
Elisabeth H. Bos ◽  
Ybe Meesters ◽  
Brenda W.J.H. Penninx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Severity Of Depression ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

BackgroundSeasonal affective disorder (SAD) is considered to be a subtype of depression.AimsTo compare the clinical picture of SAD to non-seasonal affective disorders (non-SADs).MethodDiagnoses according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) were established in 2185 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was administered to diagnose SAD. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured with the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Fear Questionnaire.ResultsParticipants with SAD, participants with a lifetime bipolar disorder and participants with a lifetime comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder scored highest in terms of psychopathology in the past year. The seasonal distribution of major depressive episodes was not different for participants with or without SAD.ConclusionsSAD may be a measure of severity of depression with a subjectively perceived worsening of symptoms in the winter months.

Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with Light: Preliminary Australian Experience

1989 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain M. McIntyre ◽  
Stuart M. Armstrong ◽  
Trevor R. Norman ◽  
Graham D. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Significant Clinical Improvement ◽  
History Of ◽  
Australian Experience

Six patients with a history of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) were treated with bright artificial light. Patients presented with at least two consecutive years of loss of energy, difficulty in working, loss of interest in activities, difficulty in concentrating, increased somnolence, over-eating (carbohydrate craving) and depressed mood. All received seven consecutive days of full-spectrum bright light with an intensity greater than 2,500 lux at a distance of three feet. Evening exposure for two hours resulted in significant clinical improvement. The main improvements were a return to normal sleeping patterns, a reduction in eating habits, improved energy level, a desire to continue with interests and activities and an improvement in mood. Possible mechanisms for the clinical effects of bright light treatment are discussed.

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