Light Therapy
Seasonal Affective Disorders and Light Therapy Clinic
The Affinity Seasonal Disorders and Light Therapy Clinic provides an opportunity or those who think they might be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression to receive a comprehensive evaluation for this condition and to receive light therapy when indicated.
The clinic is located within the Affinity Medical Group clinic at 1855 S. Koeller St. in Oshkosh and led by Ethan Everett, PsyD. Dr. Everett provides evaluations for seasonal disorders and administration of therapeutic interventions, including light therapy. Patients receiving light therapy can continue to receive treatment at the clinic, or if interested in purchasing or renting a light unit of your own, determine the effectiveness of this treatment modality in your case prior to investing in your own unit.
Patients can refer themselves directly or can be referred by a clinician. Those referred by a clinician for this consultative service should return to the referring clinician for long-term follow-up.
Appointment Information
You can make an appointment by calling Dr. Ethan Everett directly at (920) 223-7350. Your physician can refer you to the Affinity Seasonal Disorders and Light Therapy Clinic, or you can refer yourself. If you have mental health insurance, please consult your insurance company to determine coverage.
Further Information on Seasonal Disorders and Light Therapy
The Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms offers in-depth information about seasonal disorders and light therapy at www.sltbr.org.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a seemingly common condition associated with recurrent winter depressions in susceptible individuals. Typically symptoms begin in the fall (often as the day noticeably shortens in length) and then spontaneously remit in the spring. Symptoms include depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, excess sleep (hypersomnia), increased appetite (hyperphagia), decreased energy and in some cases carbohydrate craving. These symptoms often lead to difficulties at work and/or home. Severe cases can be associated with pronounced dysfunctionality and/or suicidal ideation. Some individuals 'rebound' in the spring with excess energy, reduced sleep and elevated mood, though this is the exception rather than the rule.
Seasonal changes in sleep, appetite and/or energy reportedly occur in the majority of Americans with some evidence for an increase in prevalence in more northern climates. However, most indivduals are not affected to the point of significant dysfunctionality, and for those that are (perhaps 10 percent of the population), treatment is available. The most benign and consistently effective treatment is the use of high-intensity light exposure for certain periods of time each day ostensibly to re-regulate dyssynchronous circadian rhythms. The most natural source of light therapy is sunlight, and for those that can get out each day, it is an effective (and certainly the cheapest) treatment modality. For those where daily sun exposure is impractical, light boxes can be used instead. These devices must be UV-blocked to prevent retinal damage and need to optimally provide a 10,000 LUX dose exposure so that time in front of the box can be minimized (to 30 minutes or so).
