November 4, 2009 – Psychotherapy would be more effective than light therapy in treating symptoms of seasonal depression in the long term, reveals a new US study of 69 people1. In the short term, it is the combination of the 2 treatments that would give better results.
The researchers compared the effects of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, light therapy and a combination of the 2 treatments.
Among participants who took cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), only 7% experienced a period of seasonal depression the following year, compared to 36.7% among those who were treated with light therapy. This proportion was 5.5% for people who received the combination of the 2 treatments.
After 6 weeks, the study authors found that the combination of treatments was the most effective method with an 80% remission rate. The results were 50% for psychotherapy alone as well as for light therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy Some psychological difficulties can be related, among other things, to inappropriate thoughts or behaviors that one has learned or adopted – often in spite of oneself. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves objectively observing and analyzing these behaviors and thoughts with detachment, learning new behaviors and replacing unwanted thoughts or emotions with others that are more suitable. For more, see our psychotherapy sheet. |
Psychologist Marie-Pier Lavoie finds these results very encouraging. “It’s really a new window that is opening in this area. The principal investigator of this study – Kelly Rohan – is also one of the few to use cognitive behavioral therapy specifically for seasonal depression. “
“His study also shows how light therapy can help during treatment, but once it’s finished symptoms tend to come back. While with psychotherapy, the treatment is done much more in depth than on the surface, that is to say, it manages to modify people’s beliefs, but also their behavior, ”she adds.
The psychologist considers that the remission rate for the combination of light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy is not negligible in the short term for someone with very severe symptoms, which affects about 3% of the population. “It’s kind of the same principle that we apply with major depression when we have a moderate to severe case. We will combine treatments – an antidepressant for example – to give the person energy so that they are able to undertake psychotherapy, ”she explains.
For people who have severe and recurring symptoms, Marie-Pier Lavoie recommends cognitive behavioral therapy to help them change their beliefs, because it can be difficult to do on their own.
Respond to this news in our blog Seasonal depression: light therapy or psychotherapy?
Carole Boulé – PasseportSanté.net
1. Rohan KJ, Roecklein KA et al. Winter depression recurrence one year after cognitive-behavioral therapy, light therapy, or combination treatment, Behavior Therapy, 2009 Sep; 40 (3): 225-38.