What success can be expected? | Light therapy for depression

What success can be expected?

The rate of positive effects of light therapy is 60-90% in patients with seasonal depression. The effect usually occurs after 2-3 weeks. For the non-seasonal depression there are so far no safe references for a positive effect of the light therapy.

Can I go to the solarium?

The solarium must not be confused with the lamp during light therapy. While the light in the solarium aims to bring about a tanning of the skin by UV light, the goal of light therapy is to increase or decrease the absorption of light through the eyes by certain messenger substances in the body. In light therapy, however, the UV light is usually filtered out because it can be harmful to the eyes (and the skin). It is not for nothing that in a solarium you normally have your eyes closed or special glasses on. So one has nothing to do with the other and cannot be replaced in confusion.

Is this covered by health insurance?

So far, light therapy is not covered by health insurance companies, but is a so-called IGeL service. IGeL means individual health service and is a service that has to be covered by the patient himself. If the light therapy is accomplished for example in a practice, about 7-13 euro per session come to the patient. If the therapy takes place during an inpatient stay, there are usually no additional costs.