Screen Time Solutions for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Evening light can disrupt mood in bipolar disorder. Last month’s column unraveled the biology behind that association. In short, blue spectrum light suppresses melatonin, worsening two systems that are already fragile in people with mood disorders: sleep and circadian rhythms.¹ There are simple solutions to correct this problem, and they may also help the 40% of Americans who’ve made screen time a part of their bedtime.²