Light sensitivity

anastasio · 02-09-2009, 01:43 AM

I seem to have lots of anxiety and derealization both when I'm under florescent lights and even in sunlight now. In the past at least I could go on a walk and not feel weird but now it feels awful. I came home after an hour walk today and laid down in a dark room and was fine in 15 minutes. Anyone wear sunglasses a lot? I never have before but I'm highly considering picking up a pair.

Betsy · 02-09-2009, 03:20 AM

Sounds like a good idea to me if the dark helped you feel better so quickly. It'd be worth it. For me, the hour walk makes all the difference. But there have definitely been times when my eyes are sensitive and achy and that is no fun either.

Do what works for you. that is the most important thing here.

Betsy

eileen · 02-09-2009, 08:18 AM

Sunglasses are the way to go. I wouldn't think of going out in the bright sun without them. I had to change my seat in the choir because the sun was shining into my eyes. It gives me a headache.
Eileen

nickels · 02-09-2009, 08:31 AM

I have seen an increase in my light sensitivity. Some nights, I have to wear a mask to sleep b/c any light in my room hurts my eyes, even while closed. Also, looking at a computer screen for too long will make me feel a bit off. I also have problems with night driving and reflecting light. All of this started when I first started to wean.

Glasses are a great solution...it gives your eyes a rest. I leave a pair all over the place...in my car, at the office, and by my front door. It definitely helps.

plummerw · 02-09-2009, 10:21 AM

At first I was sensitive to everything. Sound, movement, activity, tastes, light. Bright light does bother me but I live to be outside. I'm now 3 years paxil free and find that I'm very sensitve to sounds. Not everyday chatter, but the little background noises that most tune out. Dogs barking, water dripping off the roof, the dog licking his foot, someone eatting with their mouth open. just make me crazy.

kapulica · 02-09-2009, 09:11 PM

Hi - thanks so much for posting this - I thought I was the only one! Paxil has absolutely made me sensitive to light. In the 1-2 years that I was off Paxil in the past it went away, and then came back on my 2nd stint with the drug. I always have to put the visor down on my car when I drive, even when cloudy - the light just 'irritates' me. It's not like I'm squinting or that my eyes hurt - it's just that the light is irritating.
This is not serious for me however, just a minor annoyance - but very real indeed!
Another thing that I've learned through therapy for me personally is that many of my childhood traumas occurred during the day - night was a time of peace for me - this may very well be why I am at most peace in the evening.
You're not alone!

Wurstbrot · 02-14-2009, 10:51 PM

I remember swirling leaves or white sheets of paper were scatching on my nerves and pain some days.

02-09-2009, 01:43 AM	#1
anastasio Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 408	Light sensitivity I seem to have lots of anxiety and derealization both when I'm under florescent lights and even in sunlight now. In the past at least I could go on a walk and not feel weird but now it feels awful. I came home after an hour walk today and laid down in a dark room and was fine in 15 minutes. Anyone wear sunglasses a lot? I never have before but I'm highly considering picking up a pair. __________________ 6/2004 - 6/2007: Paxil 20mg 6/2007: c/t'd 6/2007 - Present:

02-09-2009, 03:20 AM	#2
Betsy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,832	Re: Light sensitivity Sounds like a good idea to me if the dark helped you feel better so quickly. It'd be worth it. For me, the hour walk makes all the difference. But there have definitely been times when my eyes are sensitive and achy and that is no fun either. Do what works for you. that is the most important thing here. Betsy __________________ Started at 30mgs 1997 1999 - 2004 tapered 25 to 12.5 Nov'05 10 mgs. Dec'05 tried liquid/BIG mess for me Jan'06 up to 15 mg. Mar'06 - Mar'07 15 mg to 10 mgs in tiny tapers every 6+ weeks Mar 07 - Mar 08 10 mgs to 7.5 tiny tapers w/digital scale Sep 08 - 7mgs April 09 - approx 6.25 mgs "SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE" ~ The Tortoise

02-09-2009, 08:18 AM	#3
eileen Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 9,272	Re: Light sensitivity Sunglasses are the way to go. I wouldn't think of going out in the bright sun without them. I had to change my seat in the choir because the sun was shining into my eyes. It gives me a headache. Eileen __________________ June 13/07-reducing by .05mg. every four weeks to present. October 29/08-Paxil Free 2006-Cut Trazodone from 150mg to 100mg. Sept 07/09- Trazodone 75mg. Started this journey of horror with AD's in 1994, Put on Paxil 30 mg in Feb/1995 I will survive!

02-09-2009, 08:31 AM	#4
nickels Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,813	Re: Light sensitivity I have seen an increase in my light sensitivity. Some nights, I have to wear a mask to sleep b/c any light in my room hurts my eyes, even while closed. Also, looking at a computer screen for too long will make me feel a bit off. I also have problems with night driving and reflecting light. All of this started when I first started to wean. Glasses are a great solution...it gives your eyes a rest. I leave a pair all over the place...in my car, at the office, and by my front door. It definitely helps. __________________ Nicole 2000 - 20mgs Paxil for GAD & Panic Attacks 2001 - 30mgs increased to 40mgs 2006 - back down to 20mgs - poop out 2/2007 - C/T off 20mgs - went back on at 10mgs 7/2007 - stabilized then started my taper off of 10mgs 8/2007 - down to 5mgs then found PP and began 10% taper 9/2008 - 1mg 10/15/2008 - 0! 2/2009 - started CBT to finally work on anxiety

02-09-2009, 10:21 AM	#5
plummerw Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 279	Re: Light sensitivity At first I was sensitive to everything. Sound, movement, activity, tastes, light. Bright light does bother me but I live to be outside. I'm now 3 years paxil free and find that I'm very sensitve to sounds. Not everyday chatter, but the little background noises that most tune out. Dogs barking, water dripping off the roof, the dog licking his foot, someone eatting with their mouth open. just make me crazy. __________________ 9/98 paxil for anxiety 30 mg. 4/05 concerta for ADHD 11/05 quit concerta cold turkey 12/05 started paxil withdrawal skip one day for a week then skip 2 days for a week and so on. 2/06 off paxil.

02-09-2009, 09:11 PM	#6
kapulica Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 9	Re: Light sensitivity Hi - thanks so much for posting this - I thought I was the only one! Paxil has absolutely made me sensitive to light. In the 1-2 years that I was off Paxil in the past it went away, and then came back on my 2nd stint with the drug. I always have to put the visor down on my car when I drive, even when cloudy - the light just 'irritates' me. It's not like I'm squinting or that my eyes hurt - it's just that the light is irritating. This is not serious for me however, just a minor annoyance - but very real indeed! Another thing that I've learned through therapy for me personally is that many of my childhood traumas occurred during the day - night was a time of peace for me - this may very well be why I am at most peace in the evening. You're not alone! __________________ Anxiety/Depression Paxil 20mg 2000 - 2002 Quit cold turkey - 8 days of hell than fine Paxil 20mg 2004 - present

02-14-2009, 10:51 PM	#7
Wurstbrot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austria Posts: 164	Re: Light sensitivity I remember swirling leaves or white sheets of paper were scatching on my nerves and pain some days. __________________ 7 years Paxil 40mg Tapered 10 months: 10mg to 0mg in 3 months 10mgs every other day/week 2008 free 1-3 mild symptoms 3-10 deep hell, 1 week peace 10-11 deeper hell, 10: found PP 1 week fine 11-12 nearly 2 months mild & tolerable 12-14 bad wave, 3 days peace, chest pain, 2 weeks later 14-15 emotional breakdown and back into the worst ever 15: back alive! 18: back to work m22.... We gonna work this shizzle out! Good Must Always Win Over Evil.

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