seasonal swings

[anninwashington]

I've noticed every year I get a manic rush at springtime (ok, so this year I started a bit early), and get into enough trouble, I settle down by May.  Am I just in a rut?

[Alex_X_18]

I was actually about to make a post on this subject.....
it happenns to me too I guess what you could do is put up a shade on your window
to make sure you get plenty of sleep
springtime is commonly associated with mainia
but I also get depressed in the winter time

[ILADVOCATE]

Have you asked your psychiatrist about seasonal affective disorder? That can cause mood variances and I believe in addition to medication the treatment involves light banks. I think that it is common with depression than bipolar but they are learning more about the subject. Worth speaking to your psychiatrist about as if that is found there are specific treatments for it involving light regulation.

[velvetvenus]

well one good thing is you kinda know when you'll have a major mainic episode. mine are so hard to predict, and i rapid cycle with no warning to a mood change. i agree, your psychiatrist may be able to help with maybe some extra meds around that time or some extra therapy or something. the light therapy might work too. as someone else said, make sure you make your room dark and make yourself get enough sleep. see your psychiatrist soon though to get this under control and fast before you do much damage. and i know about that too, especially financially. good luck

[ILADVOCATE]

Well sleep hygeine is another issue and an important one at that and that can be disrupted by the increase in light as well. I know because I had a sleep study and I learned ways to work on that. Some things are standard such as going to bed at the same time each night and slowing down activities right before bedtime. But for me living in the city I put a fan on each night regardless of season as an inexpensive version of a white noise generator. I used to have my sleep disrupted from outside noises all the time. In a city it can't be helped. One thing that is essential though with bipolar is to note the amount of sleep you get. I do remember in college it was confusing because everyone stayed up late in a dorm but after a while I realized something was wrong. I didn't realize I was becoming manic until I started treatment and could look back. But afterwards as I adjusted medications when I had the urge to stay up until the middle of the night I realized it was a sign of becoming manic and I'd inform my psychiatrist. Now some of the (prescribed) medications I take are activating so I do have sleep difficulties but when things start to get speeded up and the urge for sleep decreases I know what it is and inform my psychiatrist.

[bastet56]

I always have more energy in the spring too. I get a little manic with the warming weather too. I am so excited to be out from under the winter's cold and to see green plants again. I used to really have seasonal affective disorder when I lived in the foggy central valley. Not so much now that I am in sunny Nevada but still get really energized by spring weather. As long as you are sleeping ok and not doing manicky stuff like going on spending sprees or worse and your dr thinks you are ok, just let it be. If this not the case, go to you psy doc and get help.

[freebird227]

I'll have to admit I somtimes get sick and tired of monitoring my every thought and mood and sleep patterns and eating healthy and exercise so on and so on.
Yet I know how fast I can spiral in either direction, so for me most of the time it comes second nature to stay focused and as healthy as I can.Then at least when it does come I can't beat myself up for not being more pro active in my mental health.
I also have the seasonal affective ( mostly depression in winter )But the long days and sunny skies is enough to elevate anyone's mood. That is good, but as a full fledge bp It is my responability to stay in my confort zone.
I work hard for my good days, and I enjoy every one.....

[adel_ezz]

I happen to respond lately to a similar post. I have one pdoc (i consult usually many because i don't trust their views being so diverse) who happens to be the head of the egyptian psychiatric hospital (he's retired now) he said in the beginning of spring all our affective disorders are relapsing for a while then getting better when the fluctuation in weather subside even it it gets warmer but steady weather, i.e. during the change of buffer zone between winter and spring they become worse, he said all of them and not seasonal ones, this what he said. I know for myself i was pretty bad the last few weeks

[irishwriter]

i rapid cycle during the winter though at the moment it is more depression than anything else. once summer comes (apart from last year when we had no real summer) i usually go into hyper mode and everyone thinks i am in great form. i do think light therapy would prob help in the long winters and i should really talk to my pdoc about it.

[morningglory333]

hi nice and sunny day in pa....i also have better days in the summer then in the winter...although i rapid cycle....i am more depressed in the winter then in the summer i tend to be more manic.... at both spectrums i  have to watch and realize where i am at the time so i can control my actions.... .. its.like walking on eggshells.. it can get.very exhausing my doc also talked about light defecit disorder and recommended that they have special lights you can buy...have not purchased one yet due to finances  perhaps it would help during the winter months

[farraway]

I also have this tendency. I also believe I now can recognise my early signs of a high and then implement a crisis plan (which is working). My chart history has revealed that I commonly get my highs twice a year, usually around the same times.
I therefore watch for these signs far more carefully at these times.

[jst4shanell]

I do light therapy in the winter.  It helps if you do it in the morning and for 40 minutes.  I get sort of and manic if I do too much.  I have tons more energy in the spring.  A lot of times too much but I know the warning signs and deal with it.  Even though it feels so nice.  I deal a lot with my adrenaline by involving myself in extreme sports.  It helps release some energy but sometimes leave me feeling a little low for a couple days.  It's worth it though.  I live in the Pacific Northwest where we get a lot of rain.  The summers are great and I could stay up all night.  Actually my bedtime is 4:00 am.  I know it's not good,but it's been like that for a long time.

[anninwashington]

thank you all for your comments and validation.  When I was younger, my cycles were monthly...yep, monthly.  These longer cycles are a little bit more manageable.  Didn't get into toooo much trouble this year.  I'll know in a few weeks if I've passed danger.

I also have financial issues.  Never attempted suicide, just kill my bank account now and then.  

My cycles do not appear light driven.  Certainly driven by outside forces.  I sleep when I can, always at least 4 hours now that I'm older.  Long gone are the days of no sleep.  Even gotten so I can stay in bed when I'm awake.  Major triumph.  I'm an alpha character, and like to get up and go.

[irishwriter]

i find seroquel great for a good nights sleep. have you tried it or klonopin or xanax are a good help too. keep us posted as to how you are getting on.