The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, CAMH, is recruiting for a study that looks at the use of two non-medication treatments, light therapy and ion therapy, to prevent the return of depressive symptoms in participants who currently feel better (depression in remission). Specifically we want to see if LIGHT and ION therapy can be substituted for antidepressants during maintenance treatment to prevent relapse in people with depression who wish to stop their antidepressant treatment.
We are looking for people who:
- are 19-65 years old;
- meet criteria for major depressive disorder (not bipolar disorder)
- had two or more episodes of depression
- are currently taking an antidepressant for depression for at least 3 months and no more than 12 months, with no dose change in the past month
- are interested in stopping your antidepressant
- are feeling well (no longer depressed) and in remission
- do not have a seasonal pattern of depressive episodes (seasonal affective disorder)
- have no other major medical conditions or psychiatric conditions (except for major depressive disorder);
- have no substance use problems currently or within the past 6 months.
Participation includes: Daily use of a bright light device or ion device for 6 months, completing self-rated scales and meeting the study doctor for assessments.
Note: half of the treatment devices have been modified so that they are inactive (placebo). You have a 1 in 2 chance (like flipping a coin) of receiving an active or an inactive device.
You will receive compensation for participation.
This study is being conducted by Dr. Daniel Mueller at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto.