Light therapy in the clinical management of an eating-disordered adolescent with winter exacerbation.
A 17-year-old female followed for atypical eating disorder characterized by restriction was noted to worsen medically during winter months in each of 2 consecutive years. A trial of bright light therapy was initiated during the second admission. Within days of light treatment, the patient showed signs of clinical improvement in mood and eating. Within 1 month of light treatment, the patient's depression ratings decreased from a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score of 37 (severe) to 17 (mild/moderate). In addition, her eating improved moderately as revealed both by a slight decrease in Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score (78 to 64) and by significant improvements in dietary intake and medical status. The present report suggests that light therapy may be a useful adjunct in the clinical management of eating-disordered youth who present with seasonal patterns of exacerbation. Controlled studies of light treatment in younger eating disorder populations are warranted.
Ash
J B
JB
Department of Clinical Psychology, Boston University, MA 02115, USA.
Piazza
E
E
Anderson
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index