Seasonal Affective Disorder and Beyond: Light Treatment for SAD and Non-SAD Conditions

From our regular book review column.

This text reviews the theoretical basis behind the use of phototherapy and the clinical literature on the efficacy of phototherapy in seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other selected disorders. The novice reader may be surprised to discover there are a number of different clinical conditions for which light therapy has been purported to be effective. While phototherapy is generally considered a legitimate treatment modality for SAD, its use in other clinical syndromes is less established. Clearly, the authors are strong advocates for the use of phototherapy in any condition where it may be remotely helpful.