Suicidal Tendencies as a Complication of Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder: a Report of Three Cases

The cases of 3 patients with seasonal affective disorder are presented. Two of the patients suffered from bipolar disorder, the third from recurrent major depressive disorder. All patients were treated with bright light therapy for the first time. Within the first week of treatment, two subjects attempted suicide & the third developed acute suicidal ideation. It is suggested that bright light-induced amelioration of drive & mood can be dissociated as can happen with antidepressant therapy.