Seasonal Affective Disorder and Beyond: Light Treatment for SAD and
Non-SAD Conditions
Dr. Raymond Lam, director of the Mood Disorders Clinic at UBC
Hospital, looks at the use of light treatment for bulimia, pre-menstrual syndrome
(PMS) and other disorders of the circadian system or biological clock. Using
it for some sleep disorders and problems associated with jet lag or shift work
is also covered.
The treatment is usually used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or
winter depression.
“Studies indicate that bright light can affect serotonin regulation, which
may be abnormal in people with SAD. So that’s why there is interest in using
light to treat other disorders that may involve serotonin such as bulimia and
PMS,” Lam says.
It is the first book that brings together the idea of using light to treat
these varied conditions and is designed for researchers and clinicians interested
in using light as a treatment.
