Seasonal
Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression people experience based on
how long the sun is out each day.
New
research published in the American
Journal of Psychiatry suggests talk therapy trumps light-box therapy in
preventing relapses of SAD.
In
the 1980s, doctors discovered people were more apt to be depressed in the
winter, when they were exposed to less sunlight.
Light
therapy, the daily, timed exposure to artificial light, has been the SAD
treatment of choice.
This
latest study compared effects of light therapy and talk therapy in treating
SAD. In the study, 177 participants who had SAD underwent six weeks of either
talk or light therapy.
Those
receiving talk therapy receive cognitive behavioral therapy, meant to teach
individuals to challenge their negative thoughts and avoid behaviors like
isolation that can negatively affect mood.
After
the first winter of treatment, all participants showed similar relief from
their symptoms. After two winters, though, only 27 percent of the talk therapy
group experienced depression symptoms, compared with 46 percent of the light
therapy group.
The
light therapy group also exhibited more severe depression symptoms, according
to the findings. Some individuals find it difficult to continue light therapy
long-term. The treatment must be used continuously for to be effective.
Submitting yourself for at least 30 minutes a day to light therapy for up to
five months can be a burden.
By
the second winter in the study, just 30 percent of light therapy participants
were still using the equipment.
Talk
therapy, on the other hand, proved preventative. Talk therapy teaching coping
mechanisms and basic skills that allow participants a sense a control over
their symptoms, providing long-term benefits.
Researchers
agreed talk therapy results are promising to preventing and treating SAD. More
research must be done on behavioral therapy and the treatment of SAD, but this
study’s findings are very positive.