[*Beth*]

I love autumn, the cooler weather, the colors, Halloween, warm coffee drinks, all of it. But my brain says something else. Every year, by the end of October I'm in a frightening depressive episode. Last fall I ended up in handcuffs and was tossed IP.

I saw my pdoc today and she's insisting that I purchase a SAD therapy lamp. Apparently SAD is especially common with BD.I am waiting for SSDI to come through, so I am living very low income. I did find a decent therapy lamp on Amazon for $34. Still, $34 is a lot for me to spend if the lamp doesn't help. Anyone here tried a SAD light? How'd it work?

[unicornlady]

They definitely work. Put me into hypomania pretty quickly. My sister who doesn't have bipolar - it works very well for her depression. Just...caution. I was pretty unstable at the time though. Might be okay especially if you're trying to get out of deep depression.

I just ordered two pairs of prescription sunglasses. I'm sensitive to bright light. I've been racy lately and sometimes bright light triggers me to have silent migraines.

Is it overcast where you are? I know it is some places. It's often sunny in the autumn where I am.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Check with your therapist. I know that mine has had the ability to get lamps free for the winter season from some company. I tried to find it but don't have enough information to pull up the right answer.

[sophiebunny]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I love autumn, the cooler weather, the colors, Halloween, warm coffee drinks, all of it. But my brain says something else. Every year, by the end of October I'm in a frightening depressive episode. Last fall I ended up in handcuffs and was tossed IP.

I saw my pdoc today and she's insisting that I purchase a SAD therapy lamp. Apparently SAD is especially common with BD.I am waiting for SSDI to come through, so I am living very low income. I did find a decent therapy lamp on Amazon for $34. Still, $34 is a lot for me to spend if the lamp doesn't help. Anyone here tried a SAD light? How'd it work?

I use light therapy for my bipolar depressions. I rarely get depressed but I do get severely manic often, 3 times a year. I also cannot take any antidepressants. They cause mania. The light box works and my psychiatrist doses it like he'd dose meds. Mine was covered under private insurance. Be careful. The light frequency makes all the difference. If you get the wrong bulb, it won't work. I can become hypomanic if I use the light box too long, but hypomania is no big deal. Easily settles down if caught quickly.

[~Christina]

There has been one in my Amazon cart many times. I’m not sure it would help me but I am sure it would help my husband , winters grey sky’s really mess with his otherwise very well managed plain old depression.

He thinks it’s BS , sigh *

[BipolaRNurse]

I use one, and it's helpful. It's never caused mania for me. Come to think of it, I'd better haul mine out of the storage unit and set it up...I'm having some minor depression even though I love fall, and the only times I've been hospitalized were in late October.

[*Beth*]

Thank you all, very much! Great feedback. Overall, sounds like a worthy investment.


I live in California. The sun is very high in the sky here and so strong from May - October. I very much dislike hot weather, but I assume my brain is used to our bright sun. As soon as the light drops even the tiniest bit that sinking depression starts.