J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2015 Nov;54(4):600-604. 10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.4.600.

A Case of Bright Light Therapy in a Treatment Resistant Patient with Major Depressive Disorder

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea. jhielee@kangwon.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Psychiatry, Yesarang Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.
  • 3Department of Psychiatry, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.

Abstract

The light therapy has been known to be effective to non-seasonal affective disorder as well as seasonal affective disorder. Although the mechanism of action of light therapy for depressive disorder has not been verified yet, its clinical application revealed similar effects like antidepressants and relatively smaller side effects. However, it is not common to apply the light therapy for treatment resistant depressive disorder. This case report indicates a robust efficacy of light therapy and its clinical usefulness, illustrating the complete remission in a treatment resistant patient with major depressive disorder after bright light therapy.

Keyword

Bright light therapy; Non-seasonal affective disorder; Treatment resistant depressive disorder

MeSH Terms

Antidepressive Agents
Depressive Disorder
Depressive Disorder, Major*
Humans
Mood Disorders
Phototherapy*
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Antidepressive Agents

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Salivary melatonin profile of the patient before light therapy. Dim light melatonin onset was at 9:12 pm.


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