This is a post that I’m really hoping isn’t going to come across as a moan. I don’t want to sound like I’m saying “Bah humbug” but I feel now is the right time for me to talk about how I’m affected by photosensitivity and flashing lights at Christmas. I don’t want people to read this and feel that they can’t or shouldn’t have the Christmas decorations they want. I’d just like to make people aware of the difficulties someone with photosensitivity faces at this time of year.
My migraine started at Christmas time 19 years ago and never left. I wasn’t obviously photosensitive for two more years, but looking back, it now makes sense why it started at Christmas. I have Basilar type migraine and hemiplegic migraine, which can cause some nasty symptoms, including loss of consciousness. Because I am severely photosensitive, I wear precision tinted lenses. These help reduce the impact different types of lighting have on me. Unfortunately, they don’t completely solve the problem.
Christmas is a particularly difficult time for me because of my photosensitivity, this is largely because of Christmas decorations.
Many people put flashing Christmas lights on their trees. Coloured lights on trees are also becoming more popular. With many people putting their trees where they are visible from their front window, this is problematic for me. I’ve had to find a different route to town because someone in the next road has vibrant blue lights on their Christmas tree & the light this creates bathes the street in bright blue light. Flashing and coloured Christmas lights on peoples houses can also be very problematic for those who are affected by photosensitivity.
It isn’t just domestic use of flashing or coloured Christmas lights that can be problematic for those with photosensitivity. There are a number of shops I can’t go into once their Christmas lights are up, because of the type of lights they use. There are also places in town that I can’t go, because of the way coloured and flashing lights are used to decorate the area.
I know part of Christmas is the decorations, but for those affected by photosensitivity and flashing lights, Christmas lights become an accessibility issue. Imaging not being able to leave your house safely for a month. Not being able to go into the shops you want or need to. Having your symptoms worsen even when you’re very careful about where you go. This is part of what Christmas is to me, as someone who is affected by photosensitivity and flashing lights.
There are a number of different conditions that are often made worse by photosensitivity and flashing lights. Epilepsy and migraine are two of the most well known, but there are many others including Mears-Irlen syndrome. It’s also worth noting that what affects one person who is photosensitive won’t be as problematic to another. For example, I struggle with colours in the red area of the spectrum much more than I do with greens. This doesn’t mean that everyone is more affected by red than green.
I would love for this post to make people aware of the difficulties people who are photosensitive face at Christmas time and maybe bear this in mind when buying new Christmas decorations.
I love my house when it’s decorated for Christmas, we use static white lights for our tree and have some beautiful decorations, both on the tree and around the room. We don’t miss out with our decorations because of my difficulty with photosensitivity and flashing Christmas lights, but I do miss out because of other people’s lights.
Did you know that photosensitivity and flashing lights could be so problematic to some people at Christmas?
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I prefer white lights to colored lights for Christmas. But wow, I am sorry how it’s an extra challenge for you. The holidays are already stressful enough as it is. I’ve heard about people getting so sick and sensitive from the constant flashing lights in Tokyo (which makes me nervous about visiting there if I ever do), but I never realized that even Christmas lights could trigger sensitivity. It makes sense though. Thank you for spreading awareness and I commend you <3
Hannah
Floraful
Thank you so much sweetie! I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve heard of problems with Tokyo and know that there’s no way I would ever be able to visit Las Vegas. Living and studying in London was difficult enough, even though I rarely went out at night. For me any flashing, flickering or coloured lighting is a problem. Xx
This is such an important post, thank you for spreading the awareness! The office where I (unfortunately) work always goes really crazy with Christmas decorations, and even right now I’m sitting here staring at a bunch of flashing lights handing from a ceiling and they’re seriously giving me a headache! Thing that annoys me, if you try to complain about it, people will just see you as ‘lacking Christmas spirit’…. It’s frustrating! xoxo
Kay
http://shoesandglitter.com
I’m so glad it’s helpful! I’m so sorry that your office is over the top with it’s decorations and that this causes you pain. I’ve been very lucky, when I was working at Woolworth at the age of 16, the Christmas lights on the shop floor were too much for me. The manager was absolutely fine about this and moved me into the cash office. This was not only great for my health, but turned out to be really beneficial for my time with the company. I went on to be a cash office manager! Xx
Something I genuinely never thought of. But I learn so much from your blog posts and discussions underneath.
I’m so glad my posts are informative! Thank you so much for all of your support. Xx
Me too! I used to live in Leeds where the council put the decorations up in September (!), turn them on in November and they’re up til the end of January (Leeds council believe people come to see them like in Blackpool. I’ve never heard of anyone doing this). This meant there were whole streets I couldn’t use 3 months of the year. My GP put flashing lights up in their reception – I made a complaint. I usually say they make me ill and don’t mention exactly how, then people tend to take you more seriously and assume the lights will give you a seizure. Sad but true.
I’m so sorry you struggle with Christmas lights too. I find councils are putting lights up earlier and earlier, making life really hard for us. Ours are on in November, but I can’t remember when they’re turned off. Thankfully our council don’t go all out with lots of colour or flashing, but it’s still not easy when they’re on. I completely understand having to avoid certain streets, I know this feeling all too well. My GP surgery receptionists are pretty great, they’ll put the Christmas tree lights on to static for me. But I’ve had times when someone else will then change them back while I’m with the doctor and then I can’t get out. I can loose consciousness with lighting because of my basilar type migraine. It’s a pain, but after it’s happened the first time, people take me more seriously when I ask them to sort lighting out for me. It’s a shame that it takes some people seeing this to take me seriously. Sending lots of love your way, you’re not alone. Xx
I couldn’t agree more – I am badly affected too and hardly go out at all during December. How can we get more people to understand the horrible effects that their flashing lights cause and persuade them to #gosteady ? It seems to me that the problem gets worse year after year as technology enables more and more ‘special effects’ to be used in lighting. I am counting the days until the festive season is over. Thanks for expressing the problem so well in your post. Philippa