Is light therapy beneficial to patients with bipolar disorder? Recent studies suggest that it can provide benefits to persons suffering from bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is often accompanied by erratic sleep-wake patterns (Circadian rhythms: A daily rhythmic activity cycle, based on 24-hour intervals.). Doctors prescribe a variety of medications to improve sleep patterns to assist in stabilization. Recent studies have shown that light therapy (also used in the treatment of SAD, seasonal affective disorder) can improve the amount and quality of sleep and result in mood stabilization.

The University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine’s Western Psychiatric Institute published the results of a recent study stating that bright light therapy (including blue light treatment used for other mood disorders such as SAD) is effective in lessening the severity of bipolar disorder. (Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103101121.htm)

The clinical study involved treatment sessions consisting of 45 minute sessions conducted at various times throughout the day. The results showed that participants receiving light therapy during midday exhibited a positive response.

“In our study, 44 percent of patients were full responders, and 22 percent were partial responders,” Dr. Sit and her colleagues write. “Light therapy, therefore, is an attractive and possibly effective augmentation strategy to improve the likelihood of full-treatment response.”

Best results were achieved with daily midday light therapy consisting of 45 to 60 minute sessions. These treatments have been proven to ease the symptoms of bipolar disorder related depression, which can often be treatment resistant.

If you are searching for alternatives to medication or something in addition to medication, this may be worth considering.

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