on health Seasonal Affective Disorder (NAPSA)—Seasonalaffective disorder (SAD) is a common form of depression, usually occurring in late fall or early winter—most likely related to changes in sunlight. SAD is a treatable disorder, so it is important to know the facts, recognize the symptoms and, if diagnosed, get help. A newkindof lighting technology is being used to treat a common form of depression. An estimated six percent of the population suffers from SAD, and it is four times more common in women than in men. The condi- tion often begins in the late teens or early 20s, and generally decreases as people age. Symptoms include weight gain, a drop in energy level, difficulty concentrating, avoidance of social situations and a constant senseof fatigue. A popular treatment for SAD is light therapy. This involves exposure to full-spectrum lighting for approximately 30 minutes a day. However, the fluorescent and incandescent bulbs used in this treatment tend to generatea lot of heat, and the fluorescent bulbs emit small amountsof X-rays. Fortunately, a new lighting technology may help provide a less harmful, more effective form of light therapy. High-brightness LEDs (light emitting diodes) are solid-state devices that emit light without generating the heat or radiation associated with conventional light sources. They also use one-tenth the electricity while lasting 50 times longer. Uniroyal Technology Corporation sees LEDs as a major ad- vancement in a gentler, more benign light therapy treatment.
