Various innovative treatments have emerged in the quest to alleviate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, offering new hope to those affected by trauma. Among these options, light therapy for PTSD has gained significant attention for its potential to improve mental health and well-being.
Recent studies have explored the effectiveness of various types of light therapy, uncovering promising results that highlight their potential benefits for people living with PTSD. From regulating sleep patterns and boosting mood to aiding in the processing of traumatic memories, light therapy offers a multifaceted approach to treatment.
This blog discusses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and bright light therapy, as well as the intriguing application of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which sometimes incorporates light as part of its protocol.
Join us in finding the light and illuminating the science behind these therapies. We’ll examine research supporting their use and consider how they can be integrated into comprehensive PTSD treatment plans.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that develops in some individuals after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. These events can include natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist attacks, war or combat, rape, or other violent personal assaults. PTSD can significantly impair a person’s daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Blue Light Therapy for PTSD
Sleep is a crucial factor that defines the severity of a victim’s PTSD. After all, it is essential in maintaining physical and mental health, and chronic sleep deprivation can have significant impacts on various aspects of an individual’s life, particularly with severe implications for long-term health and cognitive abilities such as learning and the body’s ability to heal.
Many people with PTSD often experience sleep disruption and seek treatment to reduce their symptoms. Poor sleep cycles affect the effectiveness of treatments, thus becoming unsuccessful in lessening symptoms. Quality sleep is vital in reducing and eliminating the emotional impact of their traumatic experience and supporting the healing mechanisms that come with cognitive or exposure therapy treatments.
According to a study conducted at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, people with PTSD had positive responses after being exposed to blue light therapy. They had better sleep, reduced the severity of symptoms, and experienced better treatments. It also helped in the retention of fear extinction memory.
The study participants committed to 30 minutes of daily morning light exposure for six weeks. Half used blue-wavelength light, and the other half used amber light.
A significant number of blue-light therapy participants demonstrated significant improvements in their sleep and PTSD symptoms and showed increased retention of fear extinction memories. Conversely, those who received amber light did not show the same results; instead, they demonstrated a return of the original fear memories.
The chair of the university’s College of Medicine said blue light therapy as a nonpharmacological intervention is a life-saving and life-changing possibility for people suffering from PTSD.
Red Light Therapy for PTSD
Our body needs certain photonutrients, in addition to vitamins and nutrients, to stay healthy. The technical principle of red light therapy comes from the red and near-infrared wavelengths, which convert light into potent cellular energy. Red light therapy benefits include healing physical chronic wounds and relieving emotional distress.
Adapting to stress causes the body to experience a change in the endocrine system, particularly releasing a high amount of a stress hormone called cortisol. Long-term stress floods dopamine, or the neurotransmitter of satisfaction, pleasure, and motivation.
Moreover, long-term stress also reduces the secretion of two important hormones: norepinephrine and serotonin. The former is vital in the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, while the latter influences happiness. Lack of serotonin is also linked to depression, anxiety, and other health conditions.
Another red light therapy benefit is how it helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and promotes melatonin metabolism. It exposes the retina to radiation and induces quick sleep, a healthier and more effective way to reduce flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Bright Light Therapy for PTSD
Bright light therapy goes by different names, including light PTSD therapy and sunlight therapy. This treatment involves engaging the individual with a device that emits high-intensity light similar to natural sunlight. Doing so tricks your brain into thinking that you’re exposed to bright daylight, urging the production of serotonin, vitamin D, and other happy hormones.
According to a study at the University of South Carolina involving soldiers who have PTSD, light therapy resulted in better sleep and relief from depressive disorders, such as anxiety and severe depression. The research participants were exposed to bright light therapy of 10,000 lux for 30 minutes daily for four weeks.
Sleep disturbance is a common problem that precipitates and perpetuates PTSD. After all, disturbed sleep is known to interact with depression and anxiety. By reducing its severity and occurrence, individuals can reduce the intensity of symptoms, particularly anxiety and depression in combat-related PTSD.
Light therapy early in the morning corrects the body’s circadian rhythm, or the natural internal clock that regulates our wake and sleep cycles. Individuals with disturbed circadian rhythms have interrupted and intermittent sleep patterns.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987, EMDR has been recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related conditions.
EMDR is often delivered once or twice a week for 6-12 sessions, although some individuals benefit from fewer sessions. It has eight phases, not all of which are included in every session:
- Information Gathering and Sharing: The therapist gathers the client’s history to develop a treatment plan.
- Preparation: The therapist explains the process and establishes a trusting relationship.
- Assessment: This phase identifies a specific traumatic memory to process.
- Desensitization: The client recalls the traumatic memory while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus.
- Installation: The therapist helps the client replace the negative belief associated with the traumatic memory with a positive one.
- Body Scan: The client is asked to focus on physical sensations while thinking about the traumatic memory and positive belief.
- Closure: The therapist teaches relaxation techniques or other coping strategies to ensure the client is safe and grounded.
- Reevaluation: A progress review is done to determine if further processing of the same memory is needed or if the session can move to a new target.
While traditional Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatments involve the client following the therapist’s fingers with their eyes, other forms of bilateral stimulation, including auditory tones, tactile taps, or light bars, can be used.
A light bar’s row of LED lights moves back and forth. The client follows the moving lights with their eyes, providing the bilateral stimulation needed for EMDR. This can be an effective alternative for clients who have difficulty following the therapist’s fingers and prefer a more controlled or consistent stimulus.
Shed Light on Treating PTSD
Light therapy presents a compelling and multifaceted approach to treating PTSD. The growing body of research supporting these therapies emphasizes their potential as valuable tools in the treatment of this mental condition.
While light therapy may not be a standalone solution, it can significantly enhance the overall therapeutic process when combined with other treatments. For those struggling with the effects of trauma, these innovative approaches offer new avenues for healing and hope.
Consult with healthcare professionals to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment. We remain optimistic about the role of light therapy in helping individuals reclaim their lives from the shadows of PTSD.
Learn more about how light therapy can help benefit your overall well-being by visiting the Alaska Northern Lights blog.