http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co

Phelps is a one of the most informative psychologist on line and he offers us his information now for free, I will be posting a lot of information for us here and through the Bulk Mail System from Bipolar4lifesupport TEAM…….

Where can I buy the yellow eyeglasses?

All you need to try this idea is a pair of glasses with yellow
lenses that will block blue wavelengths. Careful, however: you need 100%
blockade of the blue wavelength, while allowing all of the other wavelengths to
be transmitted. Typical “blue blockers”, widely available on the Internet for
about $10, only block a fraction of blue light. So far, I know of two sources
of lenses that block >90% of blue light. You can go to the original source,
http://www.lowbluelights.com. Their amber
lenses are about $50. But…

Here is another approach. A local sleep specialist found a way to
get the same lenses for $7, instead of $50. A company called UVEX, which makes
ski goggles, also makes safety lenses for all sorts of purposes. They have just
the right lens tint in a pair of safety glasses for welders, sold in places like
Airgas.

If you do not wear corrective lenses, you can use the SKYPER in
the SCT Orange lens, model # 3S1933X. If you wear corrective lenses
(eyeglasses), here’s a pair of amber lenses that seem to fit over my glasses
quite well: the Ultraspec 2000 in the SCT Orange lens, model # S0360X.

[Update 4/2010: don’t buy the cheaper Airgas-sold Radnor
sport glasses with amber lenses. They look cool and they only cost $2.19, but
the tint is not deep enough, so they won’t block enough blue for our purposes
here.]

If you live in Corvallis: Both models are usually in stock
at Airgas, 405 NE Circle, across from McGrath’s, behind Main Auto Repair (a
little tricky, look closely, they are there). Ask very specifically for the
model that you need. Each are about $7.

If you do not live in Corvallis: Amazon has them (they have
everything?): the Skyper
and the Ultraspec
2000 that fits over your glasses if needed.

Update 10/2011: Not the Readers Digest version!
A
reader (thanks!) notes that this approach has reached the Readers Digest.
Amazing. Except their author didn’t really grasp the key idea: blocking
specific wavelengths is crucial, and you need to know the glasses will do that.
We’re lucky that UVEX just happened to make the right tint to fully block blue,
for $7.

I like $2.50 , the price at the link Readers Digest suggested, but there is
only one pair on the suggested webpage that looks anywhere near as amber as the
UVEX, and the thing is, we don’t know if that’s amber enough without seeing the
wavelength blockade it produces. Why save just $5 and not know?

Besides, although their glasses look much cooler, I grant you — that’s
actually a problem, not a benefit. Their model is going to allow a lot of light
to leak around the lens, and that defeats the purpose, right? Okay, now you can
have a look yourself. /www.safetyglassesusa.com/checamlen.html

F.lux, a computer program to shift light
Update
9/2011: If light matters so much, and blue light matters most regarding mood
and sleep — how about just taking out the blue at night automatically? Someone
built a program for this. I’ve been waiting for some users to comment, and so
far it’s been positive. Not “you gotta have this” but “I can tell the
difference”. A reader just wrote “it has helped me to fall asleep earlier.”
Okay, time to let you readers know, then. Here’s the link to the f.lux program. I’m
using it as I write this: only if I look for the difference in screen color can
I detect it, at 9:50 pm. In other words, it’s subtle but theoretically it’s
absolutely the right idea. And free.

Light Therapies: dawn simulators, light boxes

Finally, what about light? A regular rhythm of light in the
morning would be good, by this analysis. How are you going to arrange that? Here
we’ve left the realm of good solid research. So you don’t have to go buy one of
these, just think about it: what about a “dawn simulator” for use when the sun
is coming up long after your alarm? This is not a light box. It costs about
$100. It’s just a light next to your bed that gradually comes on over about 45
minutes, while you’re asleep. Your regular bedside lamps can be part of
it. The light will go through your eyelid and your brain will see it, even
though your eyes are still closed (remember that special light receptor that
connects straight to your biological clock; it works with eyelids closed!) You
probably won’t need it in the summer; but depending on how far North you live,
you might need it in the winter to have a more summer-like light exposure in the
morning. (Link to options at the bottom of this page)

Then there’s a true “light box”. These used to be big,
suitcase-sized boxes, very bright, hard to tote around, and hard to situate near
your breakfast table or bed (we’re talking morning light, right?). But now
there’s a tiny one, about the size of your hand, the “little blue one”. If
you’re not almost asleep already, and you’re interested in light as therapy,
learn why blue light is so important.
Consider a light box if you have repeated winter sag in mood and energy. Here’s
the
full story on light therapy.

Conclusion

May I emphasize DARKNESS as the potential unsung friend of people
with bipolar disorder. Of all the things you could do for yourself to minimize
the number of medications you take, and get the best possible outcome, this
could be the easiest and it is almost certainly the safest (you can’t even twist
your ankle with this approach!). Regularly timed, light-free darkness is your
friend.

If you’re going to use light therapy, learn about the why blue light may be the key. Then learn about light therapy in general.

Now gloat, because you know a lot about light and dark that many
people with bipolar disorder don’t!