Alternative Therapies Used For Depression

There has been development, in researching new ways of treating different types of depression. It has been said that many cases of depression and SAD, seasonal affective disorder, have been treated with alternative therapies, over the last few years. While looking into cures, a new alternative treatment or therapy has been found for this type of disorder. If you are suffering from depression, and would prefer to use alternative methods, then this form of treatment may be beneficial to you.

Light therapy is the most recent form of alternative therapies for depression. It is one of the several types of alternative methods being used in the treatment of disorders relating to depression. ‘Light boxes’ are used in light therapy treatments. 10,000 lux of artificial light are provided by these light boxes. Light therapy is also known as phototherapy, which for a specified length of time the patient is exposed to particular wavelengths of light.

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 good thing about light boxes is that they do not cause skin damage compared to a variety of light therapies, such as those that make use of ultraviolet light. Prolonged exposure from ultraviolet light is known to damage the skin. Blue Light Treatment is somehow associated with light box treatment, 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 could be as responsive as using light boxes or light box therapy on younger patients but is not an adequate depression treatment for older patients.

The response to any form of light therapy usually will show results in about two to four days, but extensive disorders such as depression may take up to three weeks.

There are of course other forms of natural treatment for depression. A natural cure for depression is one that doesn’t rely on prescription medications as a solution. Vitamins and supplements, dietary changes, relaxation techniques, are a few other methods. As you can see there are different forms of alternative treatments available, so the choice is yours if you prefer a more natural method.