Hi,
Did you know that there are many people that are affected by the change in seasons? Many people are affected by the weather in general. Scientists have even studied this phenomenon. And there has even been a mental disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder named for the disorder that affects people’s moods because of weather.
Does your loved one get affected because of the change in seasons? Or because of the weather?
We are in the fall season now, and the weather has definitely changed. Have you noticed a change in your loved one as well?
Many things can trigger an episode in a person who has bipolar disorder. That’s what I’m talking about now – How the change in season, or the change in weather can be a trigger to bipolar behavior and even episodes.
Consider this story:
Dan was married to Natalie, who had bipolar disorder. Normally, Natalie was pretty stable with her bipolar – she was on medication for it, saw a psychiatrist, doctor, and therapist for it, and had made other lifestyle changes (such as sleep, diet, and exercise) to manage it.
She rarely had mood swings, and together they had a good marriage and a pretty good life together, despite the fact that she had bipolar disorder. That’s why Dan was so surprised when one day, seemingly out of the blue, Natalie seemed to get very agitated, and picked a fight with him, which wasn’t usual behavior for her. Luckily, it ended very quickly, but Natalie cried over it, apologizing for being a terrible wife.
She seemed to go into a depression after that, which Dan couldn’t understand, because to him, nothing had really changed that he could see.
When they took Natalie to see her psychiatrist for answers, it came to light that the only thing that had changed was that the seasons had changed, and the weather had turned colder and darker
more often, and this, the doctor believed, was responsible for the change in Natalie’s moods.
He made a slight change in her medications, and she made some additional lifestyle changes, and her moods improved. She was surprised to find out that such a seemingly small change in her life could affect such a dramatic change in her bipolar disorder, but it had.
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Natalie’s story is not an unusual one. In fact, many, many people with bipolar disorder go through the same thing when the seasons change and the weather changes as well.
As we go from the bright light of summer into the darker days of fall and winter, we are inside more, and are not as active as we are during the summer months. Our lifestyle changes. Our levels of vitamin D decrease. Our activity decreases as well.
For some people, a mood change can occur, causing depression. For some, a decrease in activity can lead to an increase in stress and/or agitation (irritation) as well. For people who have bipolar disorder, this agitation (irritation) can lead to increased anger and/or rage.
At its worst, increased anger and rage can be a symptom of an oncoming bipolar manic episode.
In the extreme, a depressed mood in someone who has bipolar disorder can lead to suicidal thoughts and even suicide attempts.
It falls upon you, the supporter, to be aware of this phenomenon, and to watch your loved one for any changes in them during this time. When the seasons change, you need to be more vigilant.
Watch them for any triggers, such as increased stress or agitation, and any signs or symptoms of acting out behavior from their bipolar disorder.
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
We always have to be careful when the clocks go back in a couple of weeks time. That can trigger an episode, though usually just when something else stressful happens. My loved one has not had a manic episode for 2-1/2 years, but has been in several depressive episodes since. He was down all summer from June through August. At present he is more cheerful and seems to have a much more positive attitude. The weather has been very pleasant so far this month, very warm for the time of year. I don’t have bipolar, but I am very affected by the weather and I hate it when the clocks go back and it’s dark for most of the day, and cold – I hate winter! Here in Ireland it’s very noticeable what the weather does to people’s moods. Everyone is upbeat on a sunny day. I’m keeping an eye on my dear friend. He has taken on a few responsibilities lately and I don’t see him all that often, but we communicate on the phone regularly. There is a mental health support group in our town now. He was not too thrilled with it and so far only went along once. There were only 5 other people with a variety of disorders, but not bipolar. The group organiser is a psych nurse, who apparently said that stress can be a good thing. I wasn’t there to hear what he really said, but I know that stress is the worst thing for bipolar and my friend complained that “none of these nurses have a clue about bipolar” and he could run the group better if they let him. If I had been there I would have spoken to the nurse about the stress comment.
Hello David, it’s been awhile since e-mailed you. First, of all when the whether changes I normally get a severe migraine, I’m down for a few days. My story is a little different then most. The person who really cared about my bipolar disorder died 8 years ago. He took an interest in my health.He knew when I was going to have an attach just by looking at my face. Now I also had my thyroid taken competely out I’ve gone from a size 6 to 14 in a few months. You just can’t imagine how I feel and I don’t think anyone cares. I stay in my room most of the time because I am ashamed of myself. I’m under Dr’s care,but, nothing is happening. So not only do I have to suffer bipolar manic depression,but, also no thyroid. I’m sure you know how important that gland is. I’m alone in this now. I’m 57 years old and everyone around me just thinks I’ll get over it. If only you new so of the thoughts that go through my head day after day. Sometimes I’m even afraid of myself. I’m not asking for pitty I would just like your readers to take your medication and be glad thats all you have to deal with. Thank you and God bless all who read this.
Dear Dave and readers, My name is Lynn, and I’m a ‘real’ alcoholic, grateful to be sober TODAY. I also live w/Bipolar II Disorder, One Day At A Time. I haven’t been hospitalized w/depression and S.A.D. for 2-3 yrs. [My meds have also been adjusted.] I’ve felt some depression creeping in, in the last wk. or so. My A.A. sponsor urges me to walk almost daily, not only for good exercise, but also for staving off the depressions. This yr., I’ve heard that pink lightbulbs can serve as a cheaper alternatives to one of those special light-delivering lamps. I believe I’ll give that a try, this fall and winter. Thanks for letting me share.
This article came right on time. I am bipolar/depressed 90% of the time; worsening from October to March/April each year. Last week I snapped off on my boyfriend and he was at the point of being finished with me. I was devastated, to say the least.
I wondered how we could repair this relationship, especially since he is greatly committed to me despite my condition AND having been unable to work since May 2009
While we were discussing the “why’s” of my reactions last week, this email came through. I read it aloud to him and I truly believe it’s 50% of what saved our love. So thank you so very much!
be careful if when your family member is in the hospital and they write down SAD as a diagnosis. this is NOT seasonal affective disorder, this stands for schizoaffective disorder.
Our family member was in the mental health hospital and they wrote SAD on his discharge. I thought it might mean seasonal affective disorder. When I questioned them, they said “no, it meant schizoaffective disorder”. So they then wrote it out. Always ask what the acronyms stand for because these are two very different illnesses – seasonal affective and schizoaffective.
I am supporting my partner who has BP. He was Dx @ a young age, Rx’ed Depakote, then his health coverage ran out. He tried to get on Medicaid but no matter how much we pled with them, they refused to give him the type of coverage needed to receive any psychiatric treatment-even though he was GIVEN Medicaid because of psychiatric problems! He has atried Lithium (Rx’ed by a GP) but that made him rage, so he just quit taking it with no other meds tried-he got frustrated & quit. He has a steady job, but is often late due to his obsession with one particular video game. He flies into a rage at the drop of a hat, and has started showing remorse. I cannot afford your course. I am at the end of my rope. I have been with him for over 10yrs now, and the strain is unbelievable. I also have a medicated 16yo BP son, to complicate things. My partner seems to love our cats more than he does me; he criticizes my messiness, when its HIM who made the messes in the first place. I know I’m rambling but this is just so hard. I am iin therapy for my own issues, and don’t know how many more eggshells I can walk on. I dearly would love to hear what you have to say, but am on public assistance & its all we can do to pay rent & bill, much less afford your courses. I’m using my mobile for internet because we can’t even afford that.
Do you have a scholarship or special circumstances situation so I can get your no-dout invaluable information at no cost? This is veryembarrassing to write, please don’t post this, but as I can’t reply to your emails, this is the only way I can think of to address my concern. If there’s anything you can do…I would be ever so grateful…this disease is destroying our family. Thankyou for reading this, and considering my request. I pray something is possible.
I have noticed that my mental illness usually ‘comes out’ in the SPRING and in the SUMMER !!
The winter does not affect me.
I am usually more manic than depressive.
Any ideas why ??
Please give me your feedback.
Thank you.
Nicole L. 🙂
Now that you know that what are you going to do? Remember mania brings on uncontrollable urges and a sense of being somewhat superhuman as my clients have stated. You feel highly energized and may engage in a risky lifesyle. You arent afraid to do anything with anyone. You are impulsive but are hyper sensitive and emotional. You think more with your emotions rather than the Cortex where consequences come in to play. I would recommend you see a phychiatrist. There are great medications out there like Lamictal to stabalize your moods and an anti anxiety medication, along with CBT and mindfulness therapy you should be ok. Jesse