The winter season may bring a festive mood to many people as this means that Christmas is just around the corner.However, to some people, winter brings a negative effect.The chilly weather puts them into a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder or SAD, or sometimes known as the winter blues.

Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder caused by lack of sunlight affecting the hormone in our bodies called melatonin, which is responsible for our sleeping pattern.The diagnosis is based on the symptoms, which may include mild to severe depression, loss of energy, extreme change in appetite, difficulty in sleeping, sudden irrational fears, refusal to interact with other people, inability to focus, and tendency to overeat.

Winter blues patients must go outdoors and spend time walking under the natural sunlight.Not all have the time for outdoor walks or sometimes the sun doesn't shine bright enough, so physicians recommend light therapy.Light therapy lamps of various models, including those that can be used at home, are now available in the market.

Light therapy lamps are specially designed light boxes that make use of high luminosity bulbs with at least 2,500 lux.Patients who use light boxes that offer as high as 10,000 lux need less exposure time.Exposure time in the light depends on the intensity of the light box and how far the patient sits from it.

Use of light therapy lamps is as simple as the winter blues patient sitting under it for a period of time prescribed by his physician.It is important for the patient to go through a psychiatric evaluation before undergoing treatment as this will determine the intensity of his depression and the length of light therapy he needs.The positive effects of light therapy will be noticeable if the treatment is done consistently and on prescribed schedule.

The winter blues patient may experience some side effects while undergoing light therapy, although it is perfectly safe when used according to the physician's instructions.Chronic anxiousness, headache, nausea and eyestrain, especially at the beginning of the treatment process, are among these side effects.Other common side effects are irritability, difficulty in sleeping, fatigue, agitation, and other mild irritations.These side effects, however, usually go away on their own within a few days.

To many people, the winter season means that Christmas is just around the corner, so it usually brings a festive mood to them.Other people, though, get a negative effect during winter.The cold weather causes some individuals into a kind of depression called seasonal affective disorder or SAD, or more commonly known as the winter blues.This mood disorder is treated usually with light therapy.