Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Treatment Print Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 02, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on August 12, 2019 Bipolar Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Your Rights BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Phototherapy, also known as light therapy and light box therapy, is the use of light to treat disorders. It has been classically used to treat both seasonal and non-seasonal depression and may also be effective for people with bipolar disorder.  Light therapy has also been used to  treat sleep  disturbances,  schizoaffective disorder, and  premenstrual syndrome. How It Works Light therapy generally involves full-spectrum bright light exposure directly onto the eyes using a light source, such as a light box or a light visor. With a light box, the patient sits in front of the light while a visor allows for more mobility. Some healthcare providers have light boxes available in their offices, but this necessitates a daily visit to the doctor. There are also companies that rent the equipment. Insurance does not always cover the expenses associated with this type of treatment. Light therapy is used to treat the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. Therefore, its important that a person has anti-manic coverage while undergoing light therapy. A person with bipolar disorder should not undergo light therapy without first discussing carefully with their physician. Exposure Amounts Whether light therapy is beneficial depends on proper dosing. The dose is determined by the intensity of the light, the distance a person is from the lightbox, and the duration of light exposure. The majority of light sources provide 10,000 lux. For seasonal affective disorder, the suggested starting dose is 10,000 lux of morning light for 30 minutes daily. For people with bipolar disorder, several different doses have been used in studies including: 2,000 lux morning light for 2 hours daily400 lux for 2 hours daily10,000 lux for 45 to 60 min twice daily7,000 lux for 45 to 60 min Its interesting to note that people with rapid cycling bipolar disorder may respond better to midday light, as compared to morning or evening light. Pros and Cons of Light Therapy Pros Non-invasive Few side effects Side effects are minor Many people respond quickly Cons Daily time commitment Investment in equipment Relapse can occur after stopping treatment Side Effects Potential side effects of light therapy include eye-strain, headaches, agitation, and insomnia. Insomnia may be reduced by scheduling the sessions in the morning. Also, the potential side effects may be lessened by using a variation known as dawn simulation, in which the intensity of the light is increased slowly as if the sun were rising. In some cases, symptoms of mania appeared to be initiated by this therapy. In this case, light therapy may need to be temporarily discontinued, or the dose may need to be reduced. In very rare cases, some women reported menstrual irregularities during treatment. Its important to note that light therapy is a medical treatment. Before undertaking this type of therapy, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider to make sure its right and safe for you.