Headaches, Mood Changes May Result from Phototherapy

Light can have profound effects on our ability to sleep.

It may impact the ease in which we fall asleep and wake in the morning.

You may find that the light is irritating and something you simply feel compelled to avoid.

Light box therapy may cause photophobia, literally a fear of light

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This may lead to looking away from the light excessively and intolerance that shortens the treatment period.

It may come on suddenly.

Some may fade quickly with discontinuation while others could persist for a prolonged period.

Light box therapy may cause a headache as a side effect

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This may occur if yourcircadian rhythmbecomes shifted inappropriately.

This may have negative impacts on professional or personal relationships.

There can be other mood changes as well.

Light box exposure at the wrong time may cause increased fatigue

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It often occurs cyclically with bipolar disorder.

In predisposed individuals, the light box may cause a milder form of a manic period called hypomania.

This may be tolerable, but it could also lead to some adverse behavioral changes.

Irritability or mood problems may occur in some as a side effect to light box therapy

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Again, this likely relates to a shift in the circadian rhythm and the body’s desire to sleep.

This is one reason why it can be important to avoidscreen lightbefore bedtime.

First, you might simply increase the distance you are sitting from the light box.

Woman up at night in the fridge

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Additionally, it might be necessary to take short breaks or even shorten the session times.

Some devices may allow you to reduce the intensity of the light.

It is possible to sleep normally and feel better, and phototherapy with a light box may help.

Light box may cause insomnia as a side effect and make it hard to fall asleep

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Light box therapy can be used effectively to minimize side effects

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2018;261:351-356. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.013

Kryger MH,et al.

Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.Elsevier, 6th edition, 2017.