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Hi,
How’s it going?
Excited? You should be. You get one more
hour because of daylight saving time.
On that note, I sent a daily bipolar
email about daylight saving time
yesterday. If you missed it, please see
my blog below.
I wanted to add another important point
about daylight saving time. For many people
this change in time will lead to the days getting
much shorter and darker.
People who have a tendency to get depressed
can during this period of winter/fall.
Things wind up getting darker and colder
and there is much less sunlight.
All these things go together and can
make this period of time difficult with
someone with bipolar disorder.
Like I have said in the past, this is
a difficult time for my mom.
Actually there was a post in the
the Bipolar Inner Circle Forum
about this:
“Hi,
I wanted to give an update about my daughter.
She has been to her dr. and also her therapist.
She’s also undergone some blood work for her
thyroid. She is doing great. There has been
no problems. She is now doing every day kid
stuff, and enjoying herself. She planned a
Halloween party, and she had a wonderful time.
After reading David’s e-mail, I am slightly
concerned about the time change. Has this ever
caused any problems for anyone else?
June”
Michele Soloway actually called me and wanted
to find out what my daily email was about because
she didn’t get a chance to read it. She then
wrote June a reply I thought would be good
for you to see:
“Hi June–
I read your post before I had a chance to
read Dave’s email, so I called him to ask him
what was going on, and he said that you just
need to watch, that it’s possible that daylight
savings time can affect your moods — that not
everything does affect BP– but some things do,
and you just need to watch out. Especially if
you are one of those people with BP who tend to
get depressed during the fall/winter months.
You should know your own triggers, and whether
seasons, or the change of seasons is one of them.
There is something called Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD) that kind of runs tandem to BP — where people
who have a tendency to be depressed get more
depressed in winter because everything is so “gray”.
You can look it up on the internet to learn more.
Hope that helps.
Michele”
Another important point is this. When it gets cold
and dark. People tend to do a lot less and get less
sunlight. This actually prevents people from burning
off extra energy in mania and can make bipolar worse.
Think of it this way. Let’s say that you have bipolar
disorder and lean towards mania all the time (this is
my mom for now or the last couple of years).
So my mom does a lot of stuff outside in the sun.
Doing stuff outside requires energy and the sun helps
her. So according to her, she burns off her extra energy
and then is able to say stable.
But when winter comes, she doesn’t have this chance
because it’s cold and dark outside in New Jersey
during this time period. As a result, for my mom,
she can go manic more easily.
And then in January, she tends to become more
depressed. This is the way it’s been for several
years. BUT, she, her doctor, therapist and myself
are on guard if the pattern changes.
I know sometimes it sounds like a whole lot
of work keeping track of this but it’s not once
you learn the skill.
This is the essence of what I teach in
my courses/systems:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
I am trying to teach you how to manage
bipolar disorder whether you have it
or you are a supporter.
So far I think I am doing good. I have
over 5000 submitted testimonials.
Also, one more thing, when you get my courses/systems
you’ll notice that many people have trouble in
the fall and winter. This doesn’t mean total
doom for people it just means they have to be more
on guard. See the doctor more. Monitor and
be on their toes so to speak.
Bottom line is, please just be aware. If you
have bipolar disorder and feel different, feel like
you may be going to an episode, “catch it,” talk
to your doctor. If you see episode warning signs
and symptoms and you are a bipolar supporter,
make sure you follow my plan in my supporter
course.
Well I have to take off, catch you tomorrow.
Your Friend,
Dave
P.S. Don’t forget to take a look through the
different programs I’ve put together… each one is designed
to help you with a different area of bipolar disorder whether
you have it or you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
P.P.S. Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
P.P.P.S Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can’t learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com
David, my bp becomes more upset over the winter then any other season, and now I see why. I will cry lose sleep alot. Lose energyC, and get angree alot. I enjoy the summer and spring with longer days. This Christmas is going to be very hard for me this year, and Im afraid to go into a depression state. Long story. Do you have any ideas?
Danielle
thanks Dave, i always enjoy your emails. my son is nine and with 1 rx med and a a food program we have him on hes doing better.
we arent on the big scary roller caoster anymore….sometimes just a kiddie rollar coaster …
Winter is hard on him also.
ASIA
I so appreciate the tips David gives and the input from others with the same challenges. My Mother was only diagnosed this year with Bipolar. I had always known as I grew up something was wrong. Back then she was just given valium and xanax. My questions are: A) does anyone know if the UV in a tanning bed would help with the light deprevation during the fall and winter season?? B) does anyone have tips for refiling with Disabily for bipolar to get approved? (Mom’s Psychiatrist states she cannot work but the “state approved” Psychiatrist said after her 10 minute visit that she could work at “unskilled labor”. Any suggetions would be greatly appreciated! Golden Girl in VA
ps My offering: I created a “mood diary” for Mom (which I fill out) and share with her and her Dr. It helps her feel more in control of taking her meds & I can share with the Dr. trigger times, symptoms etc. I keep one on her fridge door and she can journal things as she wants also…. hope this helps!
My Mom used to have a special light in her living room that her
Dr. told her would help her in the winter months, when there is not a lot on sun light. She would use it all year round as at that time she was living in a basement suite that had tiny little half windows that did not allow any light in.
my husband is a shiftworker and i just recently found out that when he changes shifts it triggers episodes. i was told it has something to do with his circadium levels.
To GOLDEN GIRL: It’s not a question of “refiling” for Social Security Disability. You have to apply, and reapply, at least 3 times, with rejections and appeals the first two times. It took me nearly a year to get my disability, but it has certainly been worth it. My psychotherapist says I absolutely CANNOT work, as the stressors it produces sends me into mania.
What happens is: you apply the first time, and get turned down. This is the normal procedure. You then have your attorney file an appeal. You will usually get turned down this time, too. You then file ANOTHER appeal, and by that time, you WILL receive your disability.
The major drawback of this system is: you have to have enough money to sustain you through your appeals. You will have to draw on savings or help from relatives. The attorney gets paid his fee separately from what you will receive from Social Security. When you get your Disability, you will get a lump sum settlement at first – I got $11,000, retroactive to when you first applied to Social Security. I made the mistake of thinking I had to pay out of the proceeds, but the attorneys WERE paid separately, so don’t worry about their fee. It’s taken care of, and they will wait for it.
I hope I have explained the procedure clearly. Remember – you WILL get turned down initially. You just have to keep going. The results are worth it.
Good luck, and my prayers are with you.
Dave,
I,ve been reading your E-mails and I am certain my son Mark has alot of the symptoms of Bi-Polar. He has gone to a Phyciatrist once and they put him on Zanax, Amplify and Amitripoline to sleep. He has not gone back because he has no insurance. He has not been able to work for about 3 years now. He has been working some this last month. My husband has a contstruction co. and Mark had been our foreman for years. He does great work when he works and has alot of talent. He became sick when our daughter Michele was diagonisted with Breast Cancer and only given 18 months to live. Our son fell apart and cryed alot and then he lost his girlfiend of 5 years. He could not make a commitment and she wanted to get married. He has not been the same since. He was out on the street for a time and has not taken care of himself. He has been having Dental work done and has been real sick from it. He sleeps sometimes for 3 days. Then sometimes he is up all night long. He never used to have a temper but for a while would hollar at use about things and scare us to death. He put his fist through the door once. This is not my son. I thought it was drugs or alcohol but he seems so depressed. He has done better on the Meds and I see some improvement. He gets all bent out of shape when I tell him I think he could be Bi=polar. I will continue to read your E-mails. It seems to help me to know others are going through the same things.
Diane
Seasonal changes do affect people with bipolar, – it was true both in my mum’s case and it is true in my frined’s case.November to January being the tricky months.
I wonder if people who live in warmer and sunnier places still react to these changes in the same way?
This time change thing is so true. I appreciate the reminder Dave. I read about this when I was learning about my husbands illness a while back. It really hit home because he seems to be affected by the time change for weeks. It always drove me crazy because even after a week after the time change he is always saying like “well it is really 1 p.m. not noon” I am always thinking he should be over this by now it only affects people for the first day or two then things are back to normal. But this was never the case for him. But now I know why it is because he has BP. So now I know what to expect his time change and i know how to deal with it and to keep my eye on things so it does not get too out of control.
Dave I love how you allways seem to know whats about to happen. My husband has bipolar and suffers from sad. My husband takes paxal for depresion and zanaxes for anxiety but he refuses to take a mood stabalizer. My husband also refuses to see a therapist. I wish I could aford your system so I would have some helpful ideas but my husband also gambales so our money is a little shaky. I do appreciate your daily emails, sometimes they are the only thing I have. Thanks for all you do Tonya
Hello, Dave. I read your email for 11/06, and am really shocked at the numbers of attempted AND completed suicides among those with bipolar disorder. Fortunately, I’m one of the few lucky ones who have never been suicidal at ALL, with all of my hospitalizations for mania. I’m assuming most of the suicides have been in the depressive mode of bipolar and NOT in the manic. I’m also assuming – as some of your articles on BipolarCentral prove – that someone in a manic episode can be “killed by cop” and that would certainly be considered “suicide.”
I know of one woman in my Lithium Support Group 20 years ago, who contracted tardive dyskenesia, and rather than end up drooling in the corner, took her own life. She was in her late 30s, and an attorney. What I’m trying to say is, she was ON a treatment plan and taking her meds – but the Lithium caused her tardive and she died as a result of the MEDICATION.
I had Lithium cause both my legs to have neuropathy. I can’t sit for very long without cramping and having my legs fall asleep. That makes my work on the computer a marathon of aches and pains. But – it is NOT something I cannot live with. The doctors took me off the Lithium, and thank God, the Depakote is doing a much better job.
Your statistics are awesome. I think this is the perfect time for some media exposure on bipolar; the public is treating it like some kind of “designer label” with the new drugs – read Abilify, Seroquel, etc. – appearing in ads making them seem to be some sort of “wonder drug” that makes everything “rosy.” Bipolar disorder IS a serious illness, and of course, one NOT to be taken lightly by either those who have it, or those who support loved ones with it.
Thank you for all you do for us survivors – I look forward every day to reading your posts, and contributing whatever meager ideas I have on your Blog for Supporters.
God bless you real good. My prayers are with all bipolars and the ones who love them.