Effects of Light Therapy on Suicidal Ideation in Patients With Winter Depression

The cases of 191 depressed patients with seasonal affective disorder treated with an open trial of morning light therapy were retrospectively analyzed. 67% of patients were rated as clinical responders to light therapy. There was significant improvement in the SIGH-SAD suicide item score with 45% of patients showing a score reduction. Only 3% of patients had slight worsening of suicide scores. No patients attempted suicide or discontinued light therapy because of emergent suicidality. (26 refs.)