Anonymous asked this question on 4/17/2000:

Is there anything I can do to allay my depression? Somedays are better than others,but sometimes I find it hard to even get out of bed in the morning.

biolightman gave this response on 4/18/2000:

Hello Anonymous,

The following statement is made by Dr. Daniel Kripke from an American Psychiatric Press book titled; SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AND BEYOUND Light Treatment for SAD and Non-SAD Conditions edited by Raymond W. Lam, M.D.(Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Division of Mood Disorders, at the University of British Columbia, and is affliated with Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. "In considering our current evidence, I believe we should now recommend bright light treatment ("light therapy") for nonseasonal major depression, both in combination with antidepressant drugs and alone (for those patients who do not tolerate or accept antidepressant drugs)...Supporting this decision is a preponderance of evidence that bright light produces statistically significant benefits of an order of magnitude comparable with standard treatments. Additionally Kpipke has stated "Bright light does help severely depressed people feel better, and it works faster than our standard treatment of drugs or psychotherapy". One of many other noteworthy voices on the subject and benefit of "light therapy" is Dr. Norman Rosenthal of the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health. He states "Light has been proven to enhance commonly used drug therapies. The combination of both seems to work best". Lastly, Dr. Michael Terman, New York Psychiatric Institute states "Often light treatment is used to bolster the power of anti-depressant medications. Some patients receive just a partial benefit from drugs alone. Once light is added, the full response may kick in". I hope you find this response to be "ENLIGHTENING"...kc

The average rating for this answer is 3.

Anonymous rated this answer a 3.

old hat,dear