Has there been any development, such as using alternative therapies, in researching new ways of treating different types of depression? It is said that over the last few years, there has been a great number of diagnosed and treated cases of depression and SAD, seasonal affective disorder alternative medicines and therapies. While looking into cures, a new alternative treatment or therapy has been found for this type of disorder.

Light Therapy is the latest among the alternative treatments for depression. Light Box Therapy is one of the several types of light therapy products being used in the treatment of depression. ‘Light boxes’ are used in Light Therapy treatments. 10,000 lux of artificial light are provided by these light boxes. Light Therapy, often known as or referred to as phototherapy, consists of exposure to particular wavelengths of light, for a specified amount of time.

People who experience seasonal affective disorder have found the Light Therapy treatment to be effective. This mood disorder is usually known as winter depression or winter blues. During the winter season this type of depression can be experienced by the patient repeatedly. The feeling of depression can be experienced year after year. Also, light boxes were proven to help other types of depression as well, apart from seasonal affective disorder.

The advantage of light boxes is that they do not cause skin damage compared to a other varieties of light therapies, that use ultraviolet light. Prolonged exposure from ultraviolet light is known to damage the skin. Blue Light Treatment and light box treatment are associated, although compared to blue light, the light box gives a quicker therapeutic response to the individual who uses it. It has been found however, that Blue Light Therapy to treat depression is not an adequate depression treatment for mature patients.

Extensive disorders such as SAD and depression may take up to three weeks for any results to show, using any form of Light Therapy.