Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Managing these fluctuations can be challenging, but emerging treatments like light therapy show promise in alleviating certain symptoms.
Light therapy has long been recognized as an effective treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, helping individuals who suffer from mood fluctuations during darker months. But could the same approach work for those living with bipolar disorder?
Studies have explored the potential connection between light therapy and bipolar disorder, uncovering promising results. Could light treatment for bipolar disorder offer the same benefits, bringing hope to those affected?
Let’s delve into the role of light therapy in managing bipolar disorder symptoms, equipping you with the knowledge to understand and discuss this treatment option.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy levels, and activity. While mood changes are common for most people, individuals with bipolar disorder experience extreme emotional highs (mania) and debilitating lows (depression). The condition usually begins in the late teens or early 20s and, though chronic, can be effectively managed with the right treatment.
During depressive episodes, individuals may experience low mood, loss of self-confidence, feelings of hopelessness, and disruptions in sleep and appetite. In contrast, manic episodes are marked by increased energy, euphoria, rapidly shifting moods, inflated self-confidence, and a reduced need for sleep. These extreme mood swings can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform daily activities.
Bipolar Disorder vs. Manic Depression
Many people believe bipolar disorder and manic depression are different conditions, but they are the same. The latter is the original name and was used until the 1980s. It was based on the then-current criteria for mania and depression but failed to consider the cyclic nature of bipolar disorder. Understanding this history can help us better comprehend the condition.
Manic depression was eventually replaced with “bipolar disorder” to reflect the two opposite poles of mood: mania and depression. While both terms refer to the same condition, “bipolar disorder” is preferred in medical settings.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Periods of intense changes in emotions and activity are called episodes. Symptoms can vary depending on whether they’re manic, hypomanic, or depressive. They can last most of the day or all day, while episodes can last for days or weeks. Common symptoms include:
Mania and Hypomania
Hypomania is a milder form of a manic episode where symptoms are less severe but still disruptive.
- Elation
- Increased energy
- Irritable or touchy
- Jumpy, wired, and more active than usual
- Reduced need for sleep
- Grandiosity
- Racing thoughts
- Impulsivity and risky behavior
- Excessive hunger, sex drive, or desire for pleasurable activities
- Feeling unusually important or powerful
Depression
- Persistent sadness
- Anxiety
- Low energy
- Fatigue and feeling restless or slowed down
- Hopelessness or worthlessness
- Difficulty falling asleep, waking too early, or sleeping too late
- Talking slowly and forgetfulness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of interest in activities
- Having thoughts of death or suicide
- Changes in appetite
Types of Bipolar Disorder
This condition can be categorized into different types, each with varying patterns of mood episodes:
- Bipolar I Disorder: This type occurs when a person experiences one or more manic episodes, usually lasting at least seven days and even requiring hospitalization, followed by depressive disorders.
- Bipolar II Disorder: This type involves hypomanic episodes that are less severe than manic episodes and switches back and forth with depressive episodes.
- Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia): This type involves milder mood swings, with symptoms of hypomania and milk depression lasting for at least two years.
- Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar Disorders: These are categories that include bipolar symptoms and periods of significant mood elevation but do not meet the criteria for one of the other types of bipolar disorder.
A Study on Bipolar Disorder and Light Therapy
Light therapy involves exposure to bright light that mimics natural sunlight. It is effective in treating mood disorders, particularly those with a seasonal component. However, is it also effective in alleviating depressive symptoms?
A study implemented a novel midday light therapy intervention to provide relief for bipolar depression. Participants were divided into two groups: those who received midday bright light (7,000 lux) and a dim placebo light (50 lux) group. The therapy started with 15-minute sessions that increased by 15-minute increments until it reached 60 minutes per day. It happened between noon and 2:30 p.m. for six weeks.
Those who underwent light therapy experienced a significantly higher remission rate. More than 68% of these patients achieved a normal mood level, compared to only 22.2% from the dim placebo light group.
Using Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
Light therapy is now being explored as an alternative treatment for depressive symptoms. But how does it work?
Regulating Circadian Rhythms
People with bipolar disorder often experience disruptions in their circadian rhythms, which can worsen both manic and depressive episodes. It can also lead to shifts in mood and energy levels. By regulating the body clock, you can stabilize sleep-wake cycles, which is crucial for managing mood stability and minimizing the onset of an episode.
Boosting Mood
Light therapy for bipolar disorder increases serotonin production, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. By increasing the levels of this “feel-good” hormone, you can reduce the depressive phases of bipolar disorder. This approach serves as a valuable tool to reduce feelings of sadness and other symptoms of depression like low energy and difficulty concentrating.
Ensuring Timing of Light Therapy
One of the key aspects of light therapy and bipolar disorder is timing. After all, exposure to light at inappropriate times of the day can potentially trigger manic episodes, and as much as possible, we want to avoid those. These episodes can occur when individuals are overstimulated, so careful monitoring must be done to avoid hyperactivity.
Experts recommend light therapy early in the morning, ideally within 2 hours of waking up. Sessions should be 30 minutes but can be adjusted depending on the individual’s comfort level. Therapy in the morning aligns the body’s natural circadian rhythms, helping stabilize mood and prevent disturbances in sleep.
Moreover, light therapy should be conducted under an expert’s supervision, preferably a psychiatrist. Having one nearby can treat the individual should they switch into a manic episode. They can also determine the best time and duration of exposure.
Using as an Adjunct Treatment
Light therapy should never be the sole solution for one’s disorders. It is often used alongside other treatments as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, including medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. It can also be used in combination with mood stabilizers and antidepressants for a holistic approach.
Reducing Dependency on Medications
For some individuals, light therapy reduces their need for higher doses of antidepressants and helps avoid medication-related side effects. Since bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, finding a non-invasive and effective treatment can be a valuable option.
However, it’s important to note that light therapy is not a substitute for medication but rather a complementary treatment. A healthcare provider should always monitor light therapy and medications to ensure safety and avoid triggering episodes.
Find Solace from Your Episodes
Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, but finding effective treatments like light therapy can bring a sense of relief and control. It offers an effective way to help manage mood swings, alleviate depressive symptoms, and support emotional stability.
Get the much-needed solace from your episodes and discover a natural way to address bipolar disorder symptoms. Step toward a brighter and more balanced life today.
Visit the Alaska Northern Lights blog to learn about other health benefits of light therapy.