Psychiatrists, family doctors, nurses, inpatient unit staff, and mental health professionals in private practice will benefit their patients by familiarizing themselves with Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders: A Clinician's Manual for Light and Wake Therapy, by Anna Wirz-Justice, Francesco Benedetti, and Michael Terman.
This is the first professional manual developed for clinicians to help them understand the indications, contraindications, and efficacy of light therapy and wake therapy for depression, and to incorporate these principles into practice.
Light therapy is now the first-line treatment of choice for Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it has had success in clinical trials with:
- non-seasonal depression;
- chronic depression of more than 2 years' duration in therapy-resistant patients;
- circadian rhythm sleep disturbances in other psychiatric illnesses;
- major depression during pregnancy;
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD) - both seasonal and non-seasonal;
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS);
- Bulimia Nervosa;
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD);
- Dementia;
- Parkinson's Disease; and
- shift work and jet lag.
What Are Chronotherapeutics?
According to the manual, "Chronotherapeutics can be defined as controlled exposure to environmental stimuli that act on biological rhythms in order to achieve therapeutic effects in the treatment of psychiatric conditions." The manual focuses on the manipulation of two stimuli: light and sleep in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder in both Major Depressive Disorder and the Bipolar Disorders.
In order to remain current, professionals can no longer afford to ignore treatments such a light and wake therapies, that have such a minimal side effect profile and quick onset of action. Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders will provide the clinician with a thorough understanding of the research leading up to the most current findings in light and wake therapy. The present protocols are also laid out.
Uses for Family and General Medical Practitioners
The use of 10,000 lux light therapy was developed as a treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), whose symptoms include lethargy, intense food cravings, weight gain, and clinical depression. Many people experience seasonal symptoms without the depression, or with sub-clinical mood disruption. This condition is known as Seasonal Atypical Neurovegetative Syndrome (SANS.) The family doctor is the first and only clinician many of these patients will visit.
But many with SANS do not perceive themselves as having a psychiatric condition and are unwilling to take antidepressants. Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders will give physicians a new treatment option for these patients, whose symptoms have a seasonal rather than a situational trigger. And for those with full-blown SAD, light therapy provides relief within one to four days. It can be used as an adjunct or alternative to antidepressants. It is a welcome non-pharmaceutical alternative appealing to many.
Uses for Psychiatrists and Non-Prescribing Mental Health Professionals, Such as Social Workers
Non-medical psychotherapists can act as a guide for their patients in educating them about chronotherapeutics, linking themselves and their patients with psychiatrists and other physicians who prescribe light therapy, and guiding patients in the process. It is not recommended that those with clinical depression are treated without a physician.
The Center for Environmental Therapeutics offers assessment tools online, that are also included in Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders. The manual is widely available. It is published in Switzerland by Karger in 2009, ISBN 978-3-8055-9120-1.
Light therapy is the first-line treatment of choice in Seasonal Affective Disorder, and is successfully used with non-seasonal depression and a host of other disorders. Chronotherapeutics for Affective Disorders: A Clinician's Manual for Light and Wake Therapy will help mental health and medical personnel understand and utilize light therapy and wake therapy, which stand to help millions of patients with disorders beyond Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Related Articles About Seasonal Affective Disorder
This article,Light Therapy in Seasonal Affective Disorder is an interesting Interview with Dr. Michael Terman who developed 10,000 lux light therapy for depression. Readers can find out from the expert why light affects mood. Fascinating studies about how light affects people's moods depending on where they live can be found in Causes of Winter Depression and Blues. And how clinician's diagnose SAD can be found in Seasonal Affective Disorder Depression Symptoms.
Lisa C. DeLuca - Lisa C. DeLuca is a psychotherapist/social worker who works with families and teens. She also treats panic and anxiety disorders.
Join the Conversation