Dawn simulators?

yellow_fleurs · Dec 08, 2019 at 07:38 PM

Does anyone use one of these? They wake you up slowly in the morning? I heard a psychiatrist talk about these for bipolar and wondered if it might help. In the summer, when the light comes in the window I bounce right out of bed and cannot sleep in usually. I need less sleep and wake up energized. In the winter I can barely get myself up because it's still dark outside. I already use a light box sometimes, but might get one of the dawn simulators, too.

BeyondtheRainbow · Dec 08, 2019 at 07:53 PM

I used to have one and it was very helpful. I was helped more though by the dusk simulator that turned the light off gradually; for some reason I fell asleep more easily with that feature. When I was working the dawn simulator was also helpful. It broke several years into disability and I didn't replace it as it wasn't as helpful anymore.

yellow_fleurs · Dec 08, 2019 at 08:05 PM

I didn't even think about the dusk simulator option, but that sounds good, too! That's great to know it helped. I am kind of excited to maybe try one out. Did you get one that was a separate lamp or that attached to your light?

BeyondtheRainbow · Dec 08, 2019 at 08:11 PM

i had both kinds. I liked the one that was a light itself more but it did have a shade that was a glass dome and I broke a couple of them (which eventually was why I stopped using it).

yellow_fleurs · Dec 08, 2019 at 10:23 PM

Good to know! I also just discovered there are some phone apps that do the same thing but have not be tested officially I don't think. I downloaded Gentle Wakeup and am trying it tonight. It also has sounds like birds if you like that haha.

FluffyDinosaur · Dec 09, 2019 at 05:49 AM

I got one recently, and while I like it, I haven't noticed any effects on my mood episodes, unfortunately.

unicornlady · Dec 10, 2019 at 09:04 PM

Makes me hypomanic pretty quickly (within 2 days)

yellow_fleurs · Dec 10, 2019 at 10:45 PM

Thanks for the responses. Unicornlady I had heard of the light boxes doing that, but did not know if it was a risk with the dawn simulators, too. That's good to know it can happen.

OliverB · Dec 12, 2019 at 07:22 AM

I have one and it helps me a lot.

unicornlady · Dec 12, 2019 at 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow_fleurs

Thanks for the responses. Unicornlady I had heard of the light boxes doing that, but did not know if it was a risk with the dawn simulators, too. That's good to know it can happen.

I'm very prone to mania, so it's probably not a concern for most people, but yeah. Definitely a no go for me.

*Beth* · Dec 12, 2019 at 11:09 PM

This is interesting info. I've never heard of dawn (or dusk) simulators. I have a light box, but the only for-sure I've noticed is that it causes my dreams to be extremely vivid.

Tucson · Dec 14, 2019 at 09:00 AM

I am now looking at both sunrise and sunset simulators. Sme of these light clocks can do botg, including changing the color of the light as this artificial sun rises, or sets. Nice.

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yellow_fleurs Grand Poohbah Member Since Jun 2018 Location: US Posts: 1,512 5 1,265 hugs given	Dec 08, 2019 at 08:05 PM #3 I didn't even think about the dusk simulator option, but that sounds good, too! That's great to know it helped. I am kind of excited to maybe try one out. Did you get one that was a separate lamp or that attached to your light?
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BeyondtheRainbow Wise Elder Member Since Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 9,230 (SuperPoster!) 9 9,385 hugs given	Dec 08, 2019 at 08:11 PM #4 i had both kinds. I liked the one that was a light itself more but it did have a shade that was a glass dome and I broke a couple of them (which eventually was why I stopped using it). __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1700 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 50 mg Seroquel
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yellow_fleurs Grand Poohbah Member Since Jun 2018 Location: US Posts: 1,512 5 1,265 hugs given	Dec 08, 2019 at 10:23 PM #5 Good to know! I also just discovered there are some phone apps that do the same thing but have not be tested officially I don't think. I downloaded Gentle Wakeup and am trying it tonight. It also has sounds like birds if you like that haha.
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FluffyDinosaur Grand Member Member Since Nov 2019 Location: In my head, mostly Posts: 754 4 31 hugs given	Dec 09, 2019 at 05:49 AM #6 I got one recently, and while I like it, I haven't noticed any effects on my mood episodes, unfortunately.
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unicornlady Member Member Since Nov 2014 Location: The Forest Posts: 200 9 36 hugs given	Dec 10, 2019 at 09:04 PM #7 Makes me hypomanic pretty quickly (within 2 days) __________________ Bipolar 1, GAD Lithium 900mg, Gabapentin 700mg, Zyprexa 10mg
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yellow_fleurs Grand Poohbah Member Since Jun 2018 Location: US Posts: 1,512 5 1,265 hugs given	Dec 10, 2019 at 10:45 PM #8 Thanks for the responses. Unicornlady I had heard of the light boxes doing that, but did not know if it was a risk with the dawn simulators, too. That's good to know it can happen.
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Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Dec 12, 2019 at 11:09 PM #11 This is interesting info. I've never heard of dawn (or dusk) simulators. I have a light box, but the only for-sure I've noticed is that it causes my dreams to be extremely vivid. __________________
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Tucson Grand Magnate Member Since Jul 2014 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,105 9 16 hugs given	Dec 14, 2019 at 09:00 AM #12 I am now looking at both sunrise and sunset simulators. Sme of these light clocks can do botg, including changing the color of the light as this artificial sun rises, or sets. Nice. __________________ Dx: Bipolar I, ADD, GAD. Rx: Fluoxetine, Buproprion, Olanzapine, Lamictal, and Strattera.
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