Side effects of light therapy in seasonal affective disorder

Am J Psychiatry. 1993 Apr;150(4):650-2. doi: 10.1176/ajp.150.4.650.

Abstract

The authors report the frequency of side effects of light therapy in 105 patients with seasonal affective disorder treated with three intensities of light. Common symptoms to emerge during treatment were headache (19%), eyestrain (17%), and feeling "wired" (14%). There was no relationship between side effects and intensity of light used.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Light / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Phototherapy / adverse effects*
  • Phototherapy / instrumentation
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder / psychology
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder / therapy*