[Phototherapy for winter depression: report of three cases].

Phototherapy was administered to three female outpatients with seasonal affective disorder (winter depression), according to the DSM III-R criteria. The intensity of light was about 2.500 lux in two, and 1.500 lux in one cases at the eyes level. The treatment has shown to be very effective. Antidepressant response was observed after about one week of treatment. A short-lasting switch into hypomania was observed in one case.