And those inclined to write dark and brooding poetry or paint troubling and disturbing images are prone to create even darker, more brooding stuff when the day's light dims. Although the disorder had not been ordained by psychologists before 1984, its symptoms and cause were no mystery to most practitioners of the clinical arts in times past. In fact, one 19th-century practitioner may have pioneered the use of intense light to offset seasonal bouts of depression. In December 1885, Vincent van Gogh responded to one of the Goldschwagger Clinic's advertisements, taking the good doctor up on the clinic's university discount program, allowing any student with a valid ID to buy the first phototherapy session and get the second at half price. Van Gogh was studying at the academy at Antwerp and was a virtually anonymous figure at the time, as he would be for the five remaining years of his life.
Patient claims to be despondent at all times of day.
Gave him 1,000 lumens for 2 hrs. Made appointment for next week, same time. Increased dosage to 2,000 lumens for 3.5 hours. Patient came out looking a little toasted but didn't appear to be phased by it. To the contrary, he seemed pleased.