What is your approach to recommending bright light therapy devices to patients with (seasonal) depressive disorders?  

Bright light therapy has a strikingly positive evidence base for seasonal affective disorder, major depressive disorder, and even bipolar depression. I recommend shopping for a lamp with 10,000 lux, a large format, diffusion screen (possibly fewer headaches), and one that is on a stand so that it sh...

I screen for seasonal depression in every initial interview. I tell patients in whom I suspect it to get either a 10,000 lux white light or a smaller blue light, to sit 18-24 inches from it, and look at it for a few seconds repeatedly for 15-20 minutes initially, using it for longer periods as the d...

Similar to above, with the following addition, question: For patients with bipolar depression with seasonal exacerbations, I counsel them on shorter duration intro and that 12-2 p.m. exposure may be safer (less likely to trigger mania) than early morning, as long as insomnia is not occurring. Th...

I heartily endorse light therapy. Very little, if any downside, easy and inexpensive, and has a great response rate. Many people are sensitive to the change in photoperiods. SAD can be a "soft sign" of cyclothymia and bipolar disorder. Must be 10,000 lux. I like Northern Lights and Sunbox, but so m...

I live and work in Texas, and I recommend that patients take a walk or sit in the afternoon sun for at least half an hour.

I agree with the above posts on this. Most of the data is on 8000-10,000 lux intensity for 40-60 minutes for seasonal depression, used in the morning. For patients who have bipolar disorder, I recommend 20-30 minutes to minimize cycling into hypomania. There is data showing that some patients who ha...

Not much to add to these superb answers. I also tell my patients with SAD to BEGIN therapy mid-September to early October.