L.E.D. strobe lights on vehicles: Cause of meltdown?

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Thank you for that concern, but luckily no other symptoms. The only neurological symptom that night, besides the mental or emotional part, was that my legs and feet wouldn't respond (like I was very VERY drunk or something). I'm seeing my MD/psychiatrist Monday at 5:30 for a routine appt., and I will give her a full rundown on the events.

Other than the expected shame and humiliation, I'm fine. I even went yesterday to the DMV and changed my license plates, in case anyone said to "watch out for the nut case driving that vehicle with (_______) license number".



Although I wish this feeling on nobody, I'm feeling less alone that you also feel this way. I don't remember if I mentioned it in my first post, or someplace else, but I have noticed that certain new cars have L.E.D. brake lights and backup lights, and some BMW cars have LED running lights in a line around the headlamps. Those are offensively bright, but they do not invoke the "terror" sensation of the pulsating ones. Most people with whom I've discussed highway annoyances, will agree on the white LED running lights (or any outstandingly bright bluish lights) on vehicles, is a problem. The LED brake lights give me just a microsecond of the terror feeling when they come on, but it's so quick that it isn't an issue for me. They "flicker" to life, but they do not continue to emit for the rest of the time they are lit, whatever the component is causing the terror sensation. Heck, if anything, the fact that the brake lights do that could be a good thing. It sure gets my attention in a hurry when a car is getting ready to stop, and safely so.

Charles

I wouldnt rule out a seizure. Because they give me migrains with aura after only a minute, I know that flickering lights can mess with one's brain.

I trust you will keep us updated on what your doctor says - although an isolated seizure is not considered serious.

This does not sound like an AS-specific issue. It may be simply a meltdown, and you are looking for the triggers after the fact.

It sounds like you have been suffering from stress, possibly depression, and anxiety. Some strobe lighting frequencies are a risk for fits, even in people without a history of epilepsy.

I think you should describe what happened to your doctor, and show your bruises to demonstrate how affected you were.

Strobes make me feel as if my brain was going out of "sync". OTOH, I find watching turn signals kind of fun actually - especially on cars with older bimetallic flasher relays where the lights will blink fast and then slow.

It's Audi that does the line of LEDs. BMW does Halos / Angel Eyes. LEDs are plain awesome for lighting. If you accidentally leave your door open in your garage or something with LEDs for all interior lights your battery probably won't even miss the electricity in the morning. By using it in taillights I'd imagine manufacturers could scale down alternator power draw leading to improved efficiency. Then of course LEDs last longer so again more positive. I wish they would make either slightly dimmer LEDs or tint the light housings. Would be one of my first mods if I got an LED equipped G35 Coupe.

Oh gosh, I don't think I'll ever drive after reading that. Actually I have really poor visual spatial skills especially trying to determine how close or far a car is and when it will pass. I think cars are much closer when they pass my mum's car, and I always give a little jump.

That thing about seizures is kind of scary. I have had those symptoms at certain times and I get the migraines/ aura feeling.

Now that Christmas is coming, there will be LED lights popping up all over my neighbor. Some up now even! When I first started seeing them, I felt like someone was trying to stick white hot needles in my eyes. Like the world had suddenly become a Light Bright toy. And, then I question why someone would want to make their home look like the runway of an airport. Even thinking about them makes my skin tingle a little bit.

Thanks. I understand all that-- however, my neurons apparently don't care about the practicality. And, intellectually I am all for saving energy and expense. However, that seems to have been one of the biggest hurdles with AS for me-- most of my responses to stimuli don't appear to be practical or immediately functional. I have seen LEDs used in less bright and blinding ways. But, with the average American Christmas, it seems bigger and more blazing is better (to some). I also have issues with LED headlights at night. My night vision isn't that fantastic-- and then when you feel like your looking straight into an eclipse? Well, not good. Maybe I need to sit down with my eyeballs and have a talk. Now, black lights-- that's just fun and cool. Especially if you have a viking riding a polar bear black light poster in the room.

Just posted this in another thread about LEDs, but thought I might get better response here...

I know strobe lights are really bad for people with epilepsy (a trigger), but do they affect people with an ASD in any documented way? Is it just to do with light-sensitivity?
Just a question, as I'm looking at biological brain links between epilepsy and autism and the amygdala is implicated in both...