BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A University of Vermont scientist says talk therapy may be a more effective, long term treatment than light therapy for seasonal affective disorder.
The 14.5 million Americans who suffer SAD will become more likely to experience symptoms beginning this coming Sunday when daylight saving time ends.
For SAD patients, the extended daily period of darkness produces feelings of fatigue, worthlessness and even suicidal ideation.
The traditional treatment involves sitting in front of a light box for an hour or two daily in hopes the full-spectrum light will simulate sunlight and help sufferers feel better.
The treatment works reasonably well, but Kelly Rohan, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Vermont, views it as more a quick fix than long-term solution.
Rohan is currently exploring treatment using cognitive-behavioral therapy, a form of "talk therapy," that has not been used with SAD patients. She says results in early clinical trials are promising.
In her most recent study, Rohan treated one group with daily light therapy, another with CBT and a third group with a combination of both treatments.
Rohan's findings will be published later this year in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
