Abstract

ANTI-DEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF SUNLIGHT AND AWARENESS REGARDING LIGHT THERAPY

Sana Sarfaraz*, Urooba Iqbal, Rabia Khalid, Nameera Ahmed, Anum Aslam, Bushra Rubab

ABSTRACT

Background: Depression is a disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Receptors of Vitamin D are also present in brain especially in the areas that are linked to the development of depression. The best way to get vitamin D is by exposing the skin to sunlightwhich increases levels of a natural antidepressant in the brain. Phototherapy is a treatment in which the patient is exposed to an artificial light source; this primarily treats seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - a type of depression that occurs during winter. Objective: Our study is based on evaluating the anti-depressant effects of Sunlight due to activation of Vitamin D, awareness regarding depression and light therapy and effect of seasons on mood. Methodology: It is a descriptive cross sectional survey based study consisting of N= 200 individuals. They were questioned about the term depression, light therapy andeffects of seasons on mood. The answers were recorded as open and close ended. Results: Our study showed that 99% population is aware about the term depression among which 45% often feel depressed. 91% people feel the effect of season on their mood. Majority of them 80% believed that sunny weather affect their moods, 61% people experienced positive effects of sunny weather on their mood and 55% feel good after a walk on a sunny day. Only 30% people have heard about light therapy, 29% of them think that Vitamin D plays an important role in treating depression. Conclusion: From our study we came to conclude that majority of people are aware about depression and they experienced effect of sunny weather on their mood but still only minority of population is aware about light therapy and role of Vitamin D.

Keywords: Light therapy, Depression, Vitamin D, Sunny weather.