Two Days Before Christmas...

Two Days Before Christmas....

Hello all. I know during the Christmas season can be a real hard time for those with bipolar and mental illness. Some struggle with the fact that money is tight. Some struggle because they have issues with members of their families (Both of which I am trying to work through) I just want to say I am no expert when it comes to mental illness. I am not a doctor. I am just another person with day to day struggles. It's been difficult writing this blog recently. Since I have had my medicine switched, its been a miracle that I have been so happy lately. Perhaps I am in Manic mode. But I feel its a struggle to update my page when I know that there are unhappy people at this time. I don't want to rub it in people's faces, like I have overcome this disease.

I do have serious issues. I am consistently visiting my psychologist every 2 weeks.We talk and she is a really good listener. Anyway, I found an article about 7 Tips to Rescue Christmas from Bipolar Disorder and thought it would be a good post for today. I appreciate every one's words of appreciation and thoughts and people keeping me in their prayers, as I pray for all those with Mental disorders every night before going to bed. My depression always hits at night. But I also realize if I keep myself busy, it makes things easier. Anyways, this is my blog for the day and I hope you enjoy. As always, I am always available. Thanks all!

7 Tips to Rescue Christmas from BiPolar Disorder:

Christmas can be a nightmare for people with bipolar disorder. As the philosopher Posidonius observed in the fourth century, 'Melancholy occurs in autumn whereas mania in summer.' Here down under in Australia, Christmas is summer time, party time, spending time, hurry time, family time. This is a potent mix of triggers and seasonal vulnerability and many of us do fall over with mania. Friends and family don't always recognise Christmas mania, because symptoms such as excessive drinking, lavish spending, staying up late at functions, and being in a hurry are features of the season. The stress involved with 'having' to buy Christmas presents and 'having' to get together with family, along with summer-time vulnerability make Christmas a bipolar nightmare in the southern hemisphere.

It's not much better up north. Since the fourth century we haven't come much further than Posidonius except to declare there is such a thing as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It seems the number of hours of daylight you experience is related to your likelihood of getting depressed in winter. The closer you are to the poles, the better your chances.
Then there are seasonal triggers, such as figuring out how to buy presents on a tight budget. If you're depressed, the ubiquitous expectation to be happy (just because it's Christmas) only makes things worse.
Short of walking around with a sunlight-emitting lamp strapped to your forehead, or cutting up your credit card, what can you do about seasonal episodes of bipolar? Here are some quick tips to rescue Christmas.

1. Maintain your daily sleep/wake routine. Use medicine if you have to;

2. Keep in control of drinking. If you suddenly start a binge, it could be a major alert of an episode;

3. Make a Christmas shopping list and don't buy anything not on the list!

4. Ask your partner or friend to help you stick to a budget;

5. Keep up medication;

6. Check in with your doctor or mental health worker as soon as you or someone close notices symptoms;

7. Keep away from any 'toxic' family members (you know who they are).

No plan is fail safe, but then again, having no plan is like going out without an umbrella on a stormy day. You can live well with bipolar, and Christmas doesn't have to be a nightmare. Plan ahead and have a healthy, happy Christmas.

I hope this helps and if anyone needs to speak with me especially over the holidays. Please Facebook me and I will be there for you. I will send you my phone number and available to talk 24 7.

Love One and All,

 

Katie Quinn