i am considering purchasing a light box to see if i can prevent or soften an oncoming depression.. my cycles seem to correspond with waxing and waning sunlight. looking for scientific research.
2006-10-03 12:01:06 · 9 answers · asked by Gin 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? If so, type 1 or 2? To be quite honest I believe you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Those who do suffer from SAD tend to have symptoms of almost an animal going into hibernation: very sleepy as the winter months near, and increasing energy as the summer months get closer. Light therapy may actually help you since it is known to help about 50% of patients who do suffer from SAD.
Check out this link for more information from a real source. If you experience any of these symptoms I would strongly suggest seeing a psychologist who may be able to help you out more with the possibility of light therapy.
http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm
2006-10-03 12:57:06 · answer #1 · answered by zach h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have bipolar 1 and know that light affects my moods. I tried a light box, but I couldn't handle sitting still in one place that long. However, whenever I buy a car, I always get a sunroof, and keep it open; if it's really cold out, I at least let the light come in through the glass. I moved my desk location at work so I was near a window with natural light. I never wear sunglasses. All those things help my mood.
2006-10-04 01:28:43 · answer #2 · answered by david s 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where people can become depressed from a lack of sunlight-- I'm not sure how that might fit into bipolar disorder though.
2006-10-03 19:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anne R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can emergency rooms have tended to see mania patients in the springtime due to more sunlight so people slept less and got manic. Emergency rooms see more depressed people in the fall because shorter days, less sunlight and people therefore trip up their sleep cycles. They begin to oversleep, which leads to lethargy and then depression.
2006-10-04 01:38:21 · answer #4 · answered by The Tank 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the sunlight helps the chemical imbalance in your brain produce more seratonin. I have heard from more than one person the special "light boxes" do help.
2006-10-03 19:10:34 · answer #5 · answered by Smitty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's all kinds of information. Below is one example. You'd probably be better off asking your psychiatrist for references.
2006-10-03 19:06:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i'm sorry that I can't give you any scientific research but I seem to have my mood swings a lot more in the fall and winter months...
2006-10-03 19:25:23 · answer #7 · answered by izzy k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know the answer, but thanks for the info..
2006-10-03 19:13:59 · answer #8 · answered by idontknow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't know
2006-10-03 19:02:44 · answer #9 · answered by BEATIFUL RAYE 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋