Bright Light Therapy Could Help Bipolar Depression

According to a small study published in the journal Bipolar Disorders, bright light therapy could help the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic studied nine women with bipolar disorder to examine the effects of light therapy in the morning or at midday on mood symptoms. The women used the light boxes daily for 15, 30 and 45 minute periods for two weeks at a time.

Of the nine women treated, six achieved some degree of improvement, with several recovering fully from their depression symptoms. While most got the best response with midday light, a few responded better to a final adjustment to morning light.

“Three of the women who received morning light initially developed what we call a mixed state, with symptoms of depression and mania that occur all at once – racing thoughts, irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety and low mood,” said study author Dr. Dorothy Sit. “But when another group began with midday light therapy, we found a much more stable response.”

“People with bipolar disorder are exquisitely sensitive to morning light, so this profound effect of morning treatment leading to mixed states is very informative and forces us to ask more questions,” said Dr. Sit. “Did we introduce light too early and disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep patterns?”

The study appeared in the December 2007 issue.