How does light therapy work?

You should begin using light therapy treatment in autumn or as soon as your symptoms begin. Sit a metre away from the box, facing the light but do not look directly at it. You may need to spend anything from 30 minutes to three hours in front of the box, depending on the strength of the light that it emits. Carry on with everyday tasks, such as reading, eating or working and use the therapy at a time which is convenient for you. However, it is best to avoid using it late in the evening, as it could make it difficult to get to sleep.

Most people will notice that symptoms improve after three to four days. However, in other people it can take up to six weeks before they begin to notice a difference. If light therapy has not worked after using it for six weeks then it is probably not a suitable type of treatment for you.

How do I get light therapy?

Light boxes are not currently available on the NHS. If you contact a SAD support group or organisation, such as the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, they should be able to give you a list of suppliers. Boxes normally start at £100. There are a range of products available; for example, light visors that shine bright light into your eyes through a portable device fitted into a visor, and dawn stimulators that are usually connected to an alarm clock and mimic sunrise, allowing you to wake up gradually.

It is very important that you do not use home-made light units, tanning lights or tanning beds as a form of light therapy. They are not designed for use with SAD and usually emit a high level of UV rays, which can seriously damage your skin and eyes.

Before undertaking light therapy, it is best to visit your GP to discuss what type of therapy would be best for you. Your GP will be able to give you advice on how you should be using this type of treatment and will also be able to advise you on what to do should you suffer from any kind of side effects.

Although light therapy very rarely affects your vision, if you are using it on a regular basis then it is important that you tell your optician. You should also ensure that you have an eye test at least once a year. If you have existing eye problems it is best that you talk to your GP or optician before undertaking any form of light treatment to ensure it does not aggravate your condition in any way.