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What do flickering/flashing lights do to you?

Sat, 05/16/2009 - 19:24

What effect do flickering or flashing lights have on you? Can you describe a bit how you feel when you encounter them and what happens to you?

Does everyone with epilepsy have a reaction to them? Is everyone photosensitive in this way or is photosensitive just one specific type, and there are others who are not bothered by what they see? 

 

Comments

Re: What do flickering/flashing lights do to you?

Submitted by mattshelley on Thu, 2009-05-21 - 12:44

Photosensitivity is my name! I don't know about everyone else, but bright or flashing lights and I are mortal enemies. They have triggered a number of my seizures, one most notable was when the people in my office had a promotional photo session and I couldn't escape the flashes because I had to stay at my post.

I was under the impression that this was a problem for all of us, but reading the comments here, apparently this isn't true. I would, of course, suggest that all of us avoid the flickers because, just because it hasn't made you seize before doesn't mean it won't in the future.

On a side note.

I HATE BANANAS!!!

They told me after my last seizure that my potassium level was low and maybe that was the cause. Now I have to choke down bananas on a regular basis. Bananas are disgusting and I would prefer to eat rubber bands.

Matt

Photosensitivity is my name! I don't know about everyone else, but bright or flashing lights and I are mortal enemies. They have triggered a number of my seizures, one most notable was when the people in my office had a promotional photo session and I couldn't escape the flashes because I had to stay at my post.

I was under the impression that this was a problem for all of us, but reading the comments here, apparently this isn't true. I would, of course, suggest that all of us avoid the flickers because, just because it hasn't made you seize before doesn't mean it won't in the future.

On a side note.

I HATE BANANAS!!!

They told me after my last seizure that my potassium level was low and maybe that was the cause. Now I have to choke down bananas on a regular basis. Bananas are disgusting and I would prefer to eat rubber bands.

Matt

Re: What do flickering/flashing lights do to you?

Submitted by kjcanada1979 on Sat, 2009-05-23 - 00:39

I have problems with strobe lights.  And the past two years now, a problem watching fireworks.  The constant flashing gives me an aura.  We take our kids to the fireworks every year for the 4 of July and now I have to cover my face, even the slightest bit of the flashing makes me feel VERY weird. 

I have problems with strobe lights.  And the past two years now, a problem watching fireworks.  The constant flashing gives me an aura.  We take our kids to the fireworks every year for the 4 of July and now I have to cover my face, even the slightest bit of the flashing makes me feel VERY weird. 

Re: What do flickering/flashing lights do to you?

Submitted by pellykate on Sat, 2009-05-23 - 14:05

I'm so excited to get so many replies!

So, Kjcana, that wierd feeling counts, huh? Well, I'll be dogged. A couple nights ago I was watching the Indie rock video hour on one of our local channels and this video came on for a song by the band Cursive called "The Big Bang". I would suggest YouTubeing it, but then I'm apparently talking to people with photosensitive epilepsy, so never mind. Anyway, they show this circular blob of bright color changing colors so fast it's flashing with different colored scribbled circles in it all moving and then it shows faces of people who are just sitting there looking at the camera and it looks like a loud bang happens that we can't hear but you can see their reaction, then goes back to the flashing colored blob and scribbles. I got crawly, tingly goosebumps on the entire right side of my body from head to toe. Just the right side. I also felt an inner falling/electrical or excited-like sensation swell up inside me really fast. Sound familiar at all?

 

 

I'm so excited to get so many replies!

So, Kjcana, that wierd feeling counts, huh? Well, I'll be dogged. A couple nights ago I was watching the Indie rock video hour on one of our local channels and this video came on for a song by the band Cursive called "The Big Bang". I would suggest YouTubeing it, but then I'm apparently talking to people with photosensitive epilepsy, so never mind. Anyway, they show this circular blob of bright color changing colors so fast it's flashing with different colored scribbled circles in it all moving and then it shows faces of people who are just sitting there looking at the camera and it looks like a loud bang happens that we can't hear but you can see their reaction, then goes back to the flashing colored blob and scribbles. I got crawly, tingly goosebumps on the entire right side of my body from head to toe. Just the right side. I also felt an inner falling/electrical or excited-like sensation swell up inside me really fast. Sound familiar at all?

 

 

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