Light therapy, also known as phototherapy or bright light therapy, is exposure to bright lights that mimic natural light. This type of therapy is used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy is believed to suppress the release of melatonin and change circadian rhythms, resulting in a reduction of symptoms.
Intensity
Choose a light therapy box that will provide optimal light exposure from some distance. Some light therapy boxes only provide sufficient exposure within inches of the box. Green light therapy is an option that is reported to provide the same effects as high-intensity lights, with a fraction of the output.
UV Exposure
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage to the skin and eyes. Check the level of UV filtration of light therapy boxes. Most newer boxes filter out most UV rays but some do not. In smaller doses of exposure, UV lights can still cause redness and itching.
Practicality
Light boxes vary in size as well as other features. Large light boxes may offer more range and greater stability but they are not very portable. Choose one that fits well into the location being used for therapy. Consider a small box if it is to be moved often. Light boxes range from the small and rectangular to ones that look more like a floor lamp.
Cost is another practicality to be considered. The typical cost of a light therapy box is between $200 and $500. Many insurance companies do not cover light therapy because it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a valid medical treatment.
Exercise caution when dealing with symptoms of major depression. Light therapy treatment can increase thoughts of suicide in individuals with major depression. This therapy is also not recommended for bipolar disorder, because one of the potential side effects of light therapy treatment is increased mania, according to a 2008 study from the Mayo Foundation For Medical Education and Research.
Other potential side effects are nausea, sleeplessness, vomiting, headache, eyestrain and anxiety. Light therapy is a safer treatment when monitored by a doctor.
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