Colour Therapy
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What is it?
Some people believe that their mood is affected by the colours of rooms, clothes and other objects in the surroundings.
How does it work?
It is not known how colour might affect mood.
Is it effective?
Some research has been carried out showing that the colour of a room affects mood in normal people. However, there has been no research on how colour affects people who are depressed.
Are there any disadvantages?
Although it is possible to choose the colours in your home, it may be difficult to have any say in the colour of your workplace.
Where do you get it?
Books on the use of colour for health and well-being are available in most bookshops and on the Internet. There are also colour therapy workshops available, usually run by alternative health practitioners. It is probably best to try out rooms that other people have painted before deciding to re-paint your own.
Recommendation
Given the lack of evidence on colour therapy for depression, it cannot be recommended.
Key references
Kwallek N, Lewis CM, Lin-Hsiao JWD, Woodson H. Effects of nine monochromatic office interior colors on clerical tasks and mood. Color Research and Application 1996; 21: 448-458.