Light Therapy For Depression During Pregnancy

Is light therapy safe for pregnant women.

Light therapy for depression during pregnancy. Children who have been exposed to maternal depression during pregnancy have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes and more often show cognitive emotional and behavioural problems. Treatment of depression during pregnancy that is efficacious reliable safe and with minor side effects is an urgent unmet clinical need. We have not had much data to support the use of light therapy for antepartum depression yet i often discuss light. Depression during pregnancy is common and has major health implications for the mother the fetus and the family.

Light therapy may provide this somatic non pharmaceutical alternative. Though it has also been shown to be effective for other forms of depression as well and other conditions related to disturbed sleep such as jet lag or shift work. The light boxes which are created for sad are safe for pregnant woman as it filters out the uv rays making it completely safe the light with the intensity of 7 000 10 000 lux is said to be beneficial in reducing the intensity of depression however the light boxes that are created for skin related issues must not be used as they will end up being. During light therapy you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box.

On this website we have reviewed numerous treatments for affective disorders in pregnancy including psychotropic medications and several forms of psychotherapy. Bright light therapy blt is a promising treatment for pregnant women with depression based on several theoretical and clinical considerations which will be discussed below. Sad is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time each year usually in the fall or winter. While the study was small the findings are promising for doctors who have been hesitant to treat with antidepressants out of.

During the perinatal period treatment of depression which could affect the mother and child during pregnancy and lactation poses a complex problem for both mother and clinician. Bright light therapy may be an attractive treatment for perinatal depression because it is low cost home based and has a much lower side effect profile than. Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder sad and certain other conditions by exposure to artificial light. Generally 5 10 of pregnant women suffer from depression.

April 5 2004 bright light therapy may relieve depression during pregnancy possibly as well as antidepressants would. Therefore investigating non pharmacological approaches to treating depression during pregnancy is urgent and relevant for both mother and child. Bright light therapy has been best studied for treating seasonal affective disorder a syndrome of depression that hits during the long dark winter months.