Dr. Ahmad responds to WedMD’s recent article on light therapy being used to treat bipolar disorder:
“Needless to say, since light therapy has been effective in treating seasonal effective disorder, it sheds a ray of hope in those with bipolar depression who are taking medicines yet continue to have mild to moderate symptoms. As the authors noted limitations do include an hour long exposure which may be easier for those w sedentary work or are homebound but still many people can utilize this modality at their desks or homes without further complicating polypharmacy which is the norm in bipolar depression treatment. Though light therapy may seem like a benign treatment, the risk of hypomania and irritability exist, requiring close monitoring by the prescribing psychiatrist.”