Springtime can be a manic time for people with bipolar disorder. Here are some tips for how to enjoy the season while managing your bipolar disorder.
For people with bipolar disorder, "spring fever" comes with a different meaning. According to the Psychiatric Times, the regularity of circadian events affects individuals with bipolar disorder due to the rapid increase of spring sunlight, leading to an increased risk of manic episodes. Without proper treatment and self-management strategies, springtime happiness can quickly evolve into a full-blown manic episode. As a result, it's important to be mindful of your bipolar symptoms during seasonal changes.
Here's how to take care of your mental health and enjoy the spring season.
When you're living with bipolar disorder, navigating uncertainty (rather than seasonal changes themselves) can be the biggest cause of stress. Hypomania, a less severe form of mania, can be especially hard to predict. With warmer temperatures and sun-filled days, it's natural to feel upbeat and optimistic, but it's important to recognize when your mood shifts into hypomania.
Recognizing your triggers and warning signs can help ease anxiety by signaling that you're headed toward mania. In turn, you'll be able to practice self-management strategies, reach out for professional help, and prevent a full-blown manic episode.
Some common warning signs of mania include:
Your physical health is just as important as your mental health. It's easier to handle stressful situations when your body feels good, and a self-care action plan can be a valuable source of guidance when you start noticing warning signs as the winter season ends and springtime arrives.
Eating a balanced diet, making time for regular physical activity (or activity that is accessible to you), and getting enough sleep can help you build resilience, giving your mind and body the strength they need to cope with stress. If you're taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or another bipolar disorder medication, try setting alarms on your phone to remind yourself to take them each day.
Living with bipolar disorder can be incredibly exhausting, and spring mania can leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed. Whether you're experiencing intense manic episodes, frequent mood swings, or rapid cycling between depression and hypomania, psychotherapy is the first step toward feeling better.
Psychotherapy can help you develop coping skills, improve relationships, reframe negative thoughts, and effectively manage mood swings during seasonal changes and beyond. If you're struggling with spring mania, psychotherapy can also help you develop solid routines for each day, avoid overstimulation, and identify the warning signs of manic episodes.
Bipolar disorder is different for everyone, and it's important to work with your therapist to create a personalized treatment plan. If you're not sure where to start, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) can be extremely beneficial for adolescents and young adults, especially those navigating mental health crises.
At Charlie Health, we provide high-quality mental health care for adolescents, young adults, and their family members. Our virtual intensive outpatient program provides a safe, supportive environment for teens with bipolar disorder, with individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and access to psychiatric support (if needed) to create a comprehensive treatment plan.
When you're ready to start healing, our compassionate mental health professionals will help you enjoy the spring season and find healthy strategies to manage bipolar disorder throughout the year.
Reaching out takes courage. We’re here to listen to your needs, answer your questions, and match you with an appropriate treatment plan.
Connect with licensed professionals today.
Call 1 (866) 491-5196