Yes I used it got s light box of full spectrum light Sat in front of it during the winter. It picked my spirits up a lot maybe too much at first Ib had it on all the time and in my Bipolar 1 case it triggered a mania. But I've used it many times since and it's a great antidepressant for somebody who can't take antidepressants!

Too much light makes me depressed..... go figure ?

Or maybe it's the heat and not the light that depresses me ?

I am sitting in front of my light box as we type! I also have an alarm clock that mimics the sunrise and sunset which helps. They doubled my antidepressant a few weeks ago and had to take me off it because I got manic. My pdoc should have learned by now that I can't take antidepressants!
The boxes usually come in 10,000 LUX which has been shown to be the most effective.
You should go with white light. Blue light seems cool but hasn't been studied as much yet.
It really helps in the winter if I can wake up early enough to do it. Helps me sleep too. Gives me energy to actually get up and do things.
The boxes are in between $100-200 but it may be covered by insurance. I think spending the money is better than psych hospital bills. You can also rent them or make your own. Look online.
Message me if you want more info, glad to help!

I think it's probably of use to people that have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - but if you have bipolar I think we have a different type of depression so maybe it won't work.

Personal observation of my own moods and that of the boards is that changes in light levels (spring, autumn) cause many people to become unstable.

I'd therefore be extremely careful with this.

My depressions tend to come in the winter and a pdoc told me to get a blue light box. It didn't really help me, if I were going to do it again I'd get a regular one. This winter is supposed to be pretty bad and I am considering it. The one I used had a warning on it for people with bipolar, saying too much light could cause mania.

" The one I used had a warning on it for people with bipolar, saying too much light could cause mania. "

oh that is interesting and interesting that the makers acknowledge that. I wonder if that's research/ evidence based or whether they are just being careful?

curious - my pdoc suggested a light box and he told me to limit it to 20 min per day. Otherwise it can send you into mania!
I bet it's a scientific thing.

Where did you all get yours and how much did it cost?

I got mine from my pdoc's clinic but they run about $50-200. You can look at them on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_10/190-0554022-9874129?k=light+box+therapy&sprefix=light+box+

I use mine for 20 minutes in the morning - with the hope that it wards off depression.

From what i recall is that light triggers the production of serotonin along with carbohydrates. So more light more serotonin. Although more serotonin doesn't necessarily equal happier. Ssri's drive me very manic and have intense suicidal thoughts. But if you're feeling down being outside in the light will probably help