Feel your best All Day, Every Day

Does UV Light Therapy Work for Postpartum Depression

After giving birth, a woman suffers from postpartum depression that may range from mild to moderate type of depression. Sometimes it may happen to occur after the birth and sometimes later after a year. Majority of times postpartum depression occurs after three months of the delivery. Women commonly suffer from mood disorders and is premenstrual dysphoric disorder inherited during pregnancy and later on. This is because of hormonal changes during and after the delivery.

Postpartum Depression Information

There are some non-hormonal factors that also affect the mood at this stage, which may be due to changes in the body and social relationships, a need for vinpocetine having less freedom and less time for herself, lack of sleep, and thought about how to become a good mother. Anxiety, tearfulness, irritation and restlessness for a week or two are common feelings after delivery. This is simply called baby blues.

Postpartum Depression Common

In adult women, postpartum depression is very common all around the world. Definitive causes of post partum depression are still under research process, and therapies are being changed day by day for nursing mothers. For PPD, majority of women prefer natural antidepressants. Many women refuse to use pharmaceutical treatment for depression. In this situation, we need an alternative to treat postpartum depression. UV light therapy is also used as a natural antidepressant. UV light therapy has been used broadly for victims of SAD with some success and is now being used for mothers with mild to moderate postpartum depression as well. As a natural antidepressant, UV light exposure is recommended for 30 to 90 minutes daily in the morning.

When sun rays strike the retina, they generate nerve impulses. These nerve impulses affect the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Suprachiasmatic nucleus releases a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin causes to produce the state of sleepiness, fatigue and low mood. Nerve impulses generated due to sunlight stop the release of melatonin and cause the state of alertness and release from low mood.

When we advise direct sunlight therapy to a patient for postpartum depression, it may not be possible due to many reasons. To overcome this situation, light boxes are designed that emit UV rays. These UV light therapy boxes emit the light of greater intensity. The patients must be provided with proper UV light information and UV light therapy effects.

UV Light Therapy Information

UV light therapy information provided may lead the patient to know about every aspect of the UV light therapy effects.  A light box is placed in front of the patient. The patient must sit so close to the light box so that light may enter his/her eyes indirectly. Eye protection is worn and the patient is instructed not to focus on the light but just keep his/her eyes open. Initially, treatment may continue for fifteen days. UV light therapy information has brought to light that UV light therapy has not only positive effect on mood elevation but unlike some of the medications for treating depression, it is also safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Summarily, UV light therapy should be used under the supervision of trained personnel because they know very well about the UV light therapy effects.