Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a multidimensional disorder, manifested in individual
patterns. As applied to SAD, a proliferation of studies of this disorder, of its response
to light, and of its psychological and psychophysiological correlates leads to a view
of SAD as multidimensional, manifested in individual patterns that have both common
elements and also highly divergent aspects. The importance of light as a corrective
treatment with results superior to placebo has been established, and standards for
the safe and effective practice of light therapy have been propounded. Meanwhile,
research continues on strategies for optimizing the effectiveness of light timing,
intensity, and spectrum for SAD and related circadian disorders.
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Article info
Footnotes
Both authors are supported by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute under NASA Cooperative Agreement NCC 9-58.
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© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
