The Aberdeen PRP is thrilled to announce that we have received some
generous lighting donations to help our clients fight the effects of seasonal depression due to less exposure to light during the winter months.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder in which persons experience symptoms associated with depression (sadness, low energy, weight gain, loss of interest in activities, & more) during the winter months when exposure to sunlight is diminished.
Jennifer Christie of Alaska Northern Lights donated two light therapy 
boxes. Alaska Northern Lights is one of the older and most respected companies in the light therapy business. One of the light therapy boxes is a desktop model and the other comes with a tall stand. We have created a reading station in the community room which will soon be equipped with a tablecloth, magazine stand, and other comfortable touches. We have placed the light box with stand in front of our treadmill in the exercise room.
Over 25 years of scientific research points to the efficacy of light therapy. Some emerging scientific evidence points towards the possible usefulness of full spectrum lighting and light therapy boxes for regular depression and sleep disturbances.
Interested clients sit (or walk) with the light box shining into their eyes from slightly above for about 20-30 minutes once per day.
Therapists and psychiatrists who diagnose SAD or other disorders responding to light therapy may wish to consider communicating with their patients and PRP staff about the possibility of clients utilizing the light boxes while at the PRP. A helpful lay questionnaire can be found here. The Center for Environmental Therapeutics has information on environmental therapies for SAD and other disorders, including the use of light therapy boxes. They have a useful online self-assessment instrument instrument for depression, including questions for SAD, which can be found here. The results should be discussed with a therapist or doctor.
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