Sleep, Wake and Light Therapy for Depression

The aim of this study is to determine if altering the pattern of one's sleep and having light therapy can speed up the treatment of depression. In the UK, the large majority of patients with depression in the NHS are treated in the community, and one of the major objectives of the study one is to determine if this therapy is a practical treatment in the community. We will be comparing two treatments: 1. Sleep Therapy and a Light Box: Participants will be given information and advice on how to get a good night's sleep. Participants will be given a light box to use in the morning for 1 week. Treatment with a light box will last 30 minutes when a person gets up. Participants may continue to have any treatment as usual (for example medication or talking therapies). 2. Wake therapy and a Light Box: Participants will be helped to change the pattern of sleep by depriving participants of sleep for one night. Participants will go bed at 5pm on the following day for 8 hours and get up at 1am. Participants' sleep will then be advanced by 2 hours each night for the next three nights. Participants will be also given a light box to use in the morning for 1 week. Treatment with a light box will last 30 minutes when participants get up. Participants may continue to have any treatment as usual (for example medication or talking therapies).