There is a comparatively low suicide and work absentee rate amongst SAD sufferers. However, these are generalisations - there are plenty of SAD sufferers whose symptoms look like clinical depression rather than SAD and sufferers do commit suicide. As the main cause of SAD is lack of light it stands to reason that the main way of controlling the disorder is by using light treatment, sometimes called phototherapy. There is an ever-growing range of light equipment available. The main ones so far are light boxes, visors and dawn simulators.
Light boxes are about the size of a portable TV or even smaller.
These boxes contain one or more special fluorescent tubes which give out a very bright light, usually equivalent to looking out of the window on a sunny spring morning. Most people need to use their box for about half an hour to an hour each day. The light visor sits on the head so that the two small bulbs shine directly into the eyes. Busy people find the visor useful. Boxes and visors are VAT free as the government recognises that SAD is disabling.