Coping with Bipolar Disorder & Depression Around the Holidays

The holidays bring a special challenge to people who live with bipolar disorder or depression. The challenge is a combination of the increased stress that the holiday season often brings along with the symptoms — such as mania or depression — of these disorders. As a result, people who live with bipolar disorder or those who live with depression might dread the upcoming holidays. Whether you’re stressing about money, family issues, remembering a loss or loved one who’s gone, or just feeling lonely, there’s a few things you can do to help better cope around the holidays. A person who lives with bipolar disorder typically has a treatment plan that includes medication that helps prevent or reduce the cycling that is a hallmark of the condition. And a person with depression’s treatment plan often includes an antidepressant medication to help keep their mood elevated. Nearly everyone with bipolar disorder or depression also benefits from seeing a psychotherapist on a regular basis — especially at this time of the year. Stress is a common trigger that can make a person’s mood worsen, even while they’re on medication. The holidays bring most of us additional levels of stress, even if we’re generally feeling good about them.1 6 Tips to Help with Bipolar Disorder & Depression These tips may help you better deal with the challenges around the holidays. 1. Don’t hibernate or isolate. One coping mechanism many people ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Bipolar Depression General Holiday Coping Self-Help Bipolar Depression Coping Skills coping with bipolar disorder Coping With Depression help with the holidays Holiday Season Holiday Stress Mania Manic Episode Mood Disorder s Source Type: blogs