Bipolar Depression and the Holidays
Published: Thu, 12/17/09
Hi ,
How are you?
I hope you're doing well.
Well, we're counting down to
Christmas, and all the holiday
events are starting, from store
sales to shopping, to gatherings
and parties, etc.
It sure is an exciting time,
isn't it?
But there are some people with
bipolar disorder for whom the
holidays are not a happy time.
If your loved one is one of these
people, you will have known
because of what happened last
year.
People with bipolar disorder
usually repeat their patterns.
I know for my mom, these months
are usually the hardest for her in
the whole year.
If you had problems with your
loved one going into a bipolar
depression last year at this time,
too, you will want to watch their
behavior and moods very closely.
The same thing is likely to happen
this year as well.
In my courses/systems, I warn you
to watch your loved one for signs/
symptoms of a bipolar episode.
Don't let that slide, especially
during this time of the year when
so many people with bipolar disorder
do tend to get depressed.
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So what can you do about it?
Well, if you are enthusiastic,
excited, and in a general good
mood for the holidays, some of
this might rub off on your loved
one.
Have you ever noticed that
when you're around an optimistic
and positive person that it's hard
to be pessimistic and negative in
return?
It's the same concept.
One way to help them not get
depressed is to involve them in
the holiday preparations.
Have them help you make a
Christmas shopping list.
It will at least take the emphasis
off themselves and their
problems and have them
thinking about other people and
what they would like for a
Christmas gift.
You could also enlist their
help in getting the Christmas
cards done.
Activity is good for someone
with bipolar disorder.
Get them involved!
Do some holiday baking.
Decorate the house.
Put up a tree with all the extra
stuff on it - ornaments, lights,
garland, tinsel, etc. - with a
great big star or angel on the
top of it!
Get excited!
Then maybe they will catch
your enthusiasm.
But be careful, you don't want
them to get TOO excited, or
they may go into the exact
opposite direction and go manic
on you!
Do everything with moderation
and you shouldn't have a
problem.
Having your loved one help you
to plan a holiday family gathering
might help as well.
But I would issue a warning here -
If your loved one is already
depressed, they may not want to
have any company over the house.
In this case, let them help you
choose just one or two gatherings
to go to, with the agreement that
if they can't handle it, that you will
leave early.
As always, you need to be vigilant
and watch your loved one for any
signs/symptoms of a bipolar episode.
Hopefully, by doing these things,
they won't fall into a bipolar
depression.
But if they do, make sure that they
seek help.
Sometimes just calling their doctor
and getting their medication increased
on a temporary basis is all that is
needed.
Was your loved one depressed last
Christmas?
What happened?
How are you going to prevent it
from happening this year?
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Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
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