Tomorrow I plan to start my light therapy for my Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I really hate doing it, even though it isn't hard at all. I just hate sitting in front of it; plus it gives me a headache. I do believe it would be worth it, though, if I could stop cycling my moods into depression. Lately I'm been cycling fast, with periods of semi-depressed to periods of very, very depressed. I've been sleeping a lot and I cry all the time. I really don't see the reason to get out of bed anymore, but I'm trying. I really, really am trying. My struggles with bipolar, SAD, Complex-PTSD, and my daily struggles with self-injury are something I don't typically talk about much. Though I rarely self-injure anymore, I do struggle with it still. I've been a self-injurer since I was 14. In nearly every case of self-injury, especially cases that involve years of self-injury behavior, are a result of trying to cope with abuse. My case is no different. While it seems acceptable to have physical disabilities, mental health disabilities is still very stigmatized. I struggle on a daily basis with both the physical and mental health issues I have. I am lucky that I do know most of my triggers for flashbacks, depression, and mania. Of everything the bipolar depression and flashbacks are the worst. So, the depression, anxiety, and flashbacks are my biggest problems at the moment. I wanted to show a picture of my lightbox on and off, and then take a quote from
Mayo Clinic's article on light therapy. I also want to mention that my lightbox is 10,000 lux.
Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by exposure to artificial light. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time each year, usually in the fall or winter.
During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders and some other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.
Tomorrow I plan to start my light therapy for my Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I really hate doing it, even though it isn't hard at all. I just hate sitting in front of it; plus it gives me a headache. I do believe it would be worth it, though, if I could stop cycling my moods into depression. Lately I'm been cycling fast, with periods of semi-depressed to periods of very, very depressed. I've been sleeping a lot and I cry all the time. I really don't see the reason to get out of bed anymore, but I'm trying. I really, really am trying. My struggles with bipolar, SAD, Complex-PTSD, and my daily struggles with self-injury are something I don't typically talk about much. Though I rarely self-injure anymore, I do struggle with it still. I've been a self-injurer since I was 14. In nearly every case of self-injury, especially cases that involve years of self-injury behavior, are a result of trying to cope with abuse. My case is no different. While it seems acceptable to have physical disabilities, mental health disabilities is still very stigmatized. I struggle on a daily basis with both the physical and mental health issues I have. I am lucky that I do know most of my triggers for flashbacks, depression, and mania. Of everything the bipolar depression and flashbacks are the worst. So, the depression, anxiety, and flashbacks are my biggest problems at the moment. I wanted to show a picture of my lightbox on and off, and then take a quote from Mayo Clinic's article on light therapy. I also want to mention that my lightbox is 10,000 lux.
I've got a "happy light" too and love it!
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