Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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SAD Light Therapy

SplitScreen
SplitScreen
My pdoc wants me to use SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) light therapy to help with winter-time depression.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298

Anybody have any experience with this? Thoughts? Thank you!
tommymott
tommymott
You can use a 3-ft fluorescent fixture, no special bulbs needed.
The light can be placed to the side since light entering the side of the eye is effective.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
there are manufacturer's warning re people with bipolar disorder using them apparently.
SplitScreen
SplitScreen
Thanks Tommy and Fish.

Fish, do you know if the warning is there because it may push us in to mania?

Also, I've read warnings that macular degeneration can result from use of the ones emitting blue light while the green light ones are safer?

I can't afford to take any chances with my eyes or "eye" I should say. I only have use of one of my eyes from a tennis accident many years ago.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
Split - actually it was Halter that mentioned it after I suggested it might be an issue.

Just done a quick google on it and came up with some warning on reputable sites - although I don't know how much study has been done

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/basics/risks/prc-20009617

http://psychcentral.com/lib/light-therapy-for-bipolar-disorder/00017001

personally if I was bothered by bipolar depression and was BP2 and had the money I might be tempted to give it a go.
SplitScreen
SplitScreen
Ok, thanks Fish! The two articles you shared have been very helpful! Great info! Thank you. :)

I fight the bipolar depression side of things more and more as I get older. I was originally dx'ed BP1 but now present more symptoms of BP2. Not sure what that all means. My pdoc hasn't said and I've never asked.

I just sent a text to my Nurse Practitioner who works hand in hand with my pdoc and she's sending me a link to the one she personally uses.

Says she loves it! They're so cool like that in that I can contact them off hours...within reason of course. It also helps I've been going there for 10 years. :)

Thanks again!
dobiedots
dobiedots
Yes, I've used it and it works. After a few days I start to feel a little too energetic. So I stop for a week or so. My pdoc warned me to be careful as it can cause mania. So I'm very careful and monitor how I feel. But it sure is nice to get rid of BP2 depression!!
I just bought a new one from Walgreens, it's a little guy. Works just as well as the big, expensive ones.
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