Bright Light Therapy in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Inclusion criteria

• a patient has (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision [DSM-IV-TR]) a Major depression, recurrent episode, seasonal pattern, "moderate" or "severe" (classification code 296.32 and 296.33)

The 29-item Structured Interview Guide for Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) score ≥ 20

• The 29-item Structured Interview Guide for Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) score ≥ 20
• The 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≥ 10
• The 8-item atypical symptom score ≥ 5

• patient is over 18 years
• patient can read and understand the subject information sheet
• patient has signed the informed consent form
• patient is not pregnant

Exclusion criteria

• patient has a lifetime psychotic disorder
• patient has a DSM-IV Axis I disorder other than some anxiety disorder evaluated by MINI
• patient has some DSM-IV-TR Axis II disorder, which is likely to interfere with the study treatment according to the investigator
• patient has alcohol or some other substance use dependence or misuse
• patients has some unstable somatic disorder
• patient uses some psychotropic agencies
• patient is, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for any reason
• patient is a member of the site personnel or their immediate families
• patient has had bright light therapy via ear canals during the current episode