Hi,
How’s it going?
Hey I have to get going because I have to get all the snow off my car. It snowed like 10 inches or something.
Okay, so….
For most people, the holidays are a happy and exciting time.
They enjoy all the shopping, presents, decorating, visiting friends and family, gatherings and parties, and all the festivities that go along with the holidays around this time of year.
Even for some people who have bipolar disorder, it’s a happy and exciting time.
But for other people with bipolar disorder, it can be a very stressful time.
It can be anxious and overwhelming to them.
Like to my mom, for example.
This is the worst time of year for her.
This is the time when she traditionally goes into bipolar episodes.
But we know this, so we just watch her more closely. And she goes to more sessions with her doctor and therapist.
That way, we can avoid the episodes.
In my courses/systems, I go over the triggers of bipolar disorder, and these are things you should know about your loved one:
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If you noticed that last year around this time, for example, that your loved one became very stressful and anxious during the holidays, then this year you might want to watch them more closely now.
If going to gatherings and parties, even if they were with family, were a trigger for our loved one, then you might want to avoid these events, or at least only stay a short period of time.
If you notice other behavior out of the ordinary in your loved one, too, like that they are more irritable or short-tempered, then that might indicate that they are feeling more stress around the holidays.
If you notice that their sleeping habits have changed during this time of the year, then that could be another indication that they are feeling anxious or stressed.
If they are isolating, and don’t seem to want to go out at all, or don’t want to go Christmas shopping with you, then they might be feeling overwhelmed, another indication of holiday stress.
If you see any of these things happening in your loved one, then they might be indications that your loved one is feeling stressed about the holidays, instead of happy and excited.
If this is the case, then you should do what we do with my mom –
Just watch them closer for any signs or symptoms of depression, in case they might be going into a bipolar episode.
You might want to approach them about some extra sessions with their doctor, psychiatrist, and/or therapist as well, if you think it is serious enough.
Getting through the holidays is harder for some than others. If you see that it is harder for your loved one, think about what I’ve said above.
The main thing is keeping your loved one stable through the holidays.
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Hi Dave,
When I clicked the link below the message you left us about Holiday stress it took me to a Word Press log in page. I clicked the link on that page in the upper left that said ‘Back to the blog’ so then I had to click the link at the bottom of your post on that page and I got here. I don’t know if that is why no one posted before me or not. But anyway…
Holidays, I think, are stressful for Most people, not some, : ) for us with bipolar it can be really tricky because what is normally stressful may become overwhelming to us. I totally agree with your strategies. Watching my moods more closely, being more vigilant to notice when I am feeling too much stress, etc. Learning to meditate can do as much as the proper medication. We have to know when to stop, think if we are starting to feel overwhelmed, and change our perspective to one that is based in safety, serenity, and peace. If we are feeling anxious or stressed we can talk in depth to our therapist about it, etc.
Another thing to watch out for is sugar consumption, and alcohol consumption. We with bipolar really shouldn’t even drink anything with being on medication, they almost all say not to drink with it, or that it will make us sleepy. It is not just that, but the alcohol can prevent the medication from working, and cause a depression. Sugar needs to be kept at a minimum too. I know it is hard cause everyone drinks and has sugar at this time of year, but these things can cause problems for us with bipolar.
Other than that I hope everyone is having a good holiday season. If you had a bad holiday season like I did as a kid, you can make good memories now, with your new family. If it is too difficult to get past the emotional stumbling blocks, therapists, or psychologists can help with these kinds of issues.
Remember it is a time of celebration for most people, and before I dealt with my childhood issues, it was a time of mourning for me, but now I have a good time with my family. Our dad was the one who made it miserable, so we don’t invite him to our party, but my mom, sisters and I have a great time with their kids. It isn’t about me anymore, it is about making their Christmas a memorable one : )
Thanks for the topic Dave,
Rather appropriate,
Bob
I don’t understand why/how with all of my external stressors this holiday season, the “milk of human kindness” is pouring through my veins! A very good friend I met through this blog has made Christmas for me almost single-handedly!! This year, I feel appreciated and loved, more than in a long time. Shoot – I have the “Christmas spirit,” and I’m not going to let my bipolar ruin it for me…
I am spending Christmas brunch with one of my boyfriends, and having a “date” with a new man I met over on-line dating tomorrow. The original boyfriend is more like a brother to me now; no intimacy or attention – it’s as if I don’t exist! But – the new boyfriend treats me like a princess, and I could get used to that!!
Sometimes, I DO have an anniversary reaction AFTER Christmas, as my first husband died of a heart attack at 35 the day after Christmas 1989. But – that’s an INTERNAL stressor, and something I can’t do anything about. I think of him fondly, and miss him terribly – but I can’t bring him back.
I agree with Bob that drinking alcohol is BAD if you’re on meds. Besides my psychotropic meds, I’m on opiates for my bad back, and one sip sends me “over the moon.” A little “booze” in my egg nog is all it takes to make me woozy, so I only have a little to be sociable. Stay clear of it if you don’t know how you’re going to react to it; it could RUIN your Christmas…
May I take this opportunity to wish ALL my friends here on the Supporter’s Blog a very BLESSED and MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR…anything’s bound to be better than 2008!!
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I pray for my country.