Tips For People with Bipolar Disorder To Get Through Thanksgiving and the Holidays

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T= Decorating, Cooking, Shopping, Going to parties, and getting prepared to see family might trigger a mood swing. Be aware of this and try not to get overwhelmed. Take breaks and don’t feel like you have to do everything.

H= People with bipolar disorder can have a problem with excessive spending. Be aware of this and keep a reasonable budget and do not go over it.

A=It is very easy to miss your medication when you are busy. It is very important not to do so. You want to stay stable. Do not give into temptations to skip doses so that you can drink either.

N= Saying “no” may be needed to keep yourself stable. If your health is on the line, it is ok to miss a party or not bake something extra for your family get together. Do your best, but realize that you have limitations. Saying yes to too many things can be detrimental.

K= People who have bipolar disorder do better if they have a schedule. It is easy to get off that schedule during the holidays. However, it is important to keep to the schedule as much as you can.

S= Don’t feel like everything has to be perfect. Your gifts and cookies may not be perfect, but neither will anyone else’s.

G= Sleep is very important. Not getting enough sleep can cause a manic episode. Be very conscious of how much sleep you are getting. Leave a party early if you have to. Wrapping presents can wait until the next day rather than trying to do them too late and not getting to bed.

I= During the holidays, many people get depressed. It is important to not isolate oneself as this can make things worse.

V= You don’t have to see everyone on the holiday. Spread out visits with family. You can have just as much fun in October and January than in November and December.

I= To help staying grounded and stable throughout the holiday season, it is a good idea to check in with someone often. This may be a friend or family member or you may need more appointments with your psychiatrist or therapist.

N= Sometimes people can try and do too much. If you are feeling overwhelmed, decide what things are most important and the things you can skip. It is not worth getting sick because you didn’t prioritize.

G= Don’t focus on others so much that you neglect yourself. By doing this, you risk getting depressed or manic.