When routines get out of whack (hello, holiday stress) it can cause you to forget to take your meds. Or you may be tempted to go without them. The fact is, this time of year is extra difficult for people with bipolar disorder, and that includes complying with their treatment plan. It’s also when they need to stick to it the most. “Bipolar individuals are easily challenged when their routines are disrupted,” says Julie Carbray, nurse practitioner and clinical professor of psychiatry and nursing at the University of Illinois, Chicago. “This illness really requires you to try to quiet your brain.”
That may be a tall order at the noisiest time of year. This year, COVID-19 may keep large gatherings at bay, but it can also create extra challenges at the holiday for someone who struggles with depression or mania. The holidays exacerbate what may already be difficult—managing money, regulating diet, moderating alcohol. The best way to cope and avoid relapse, say psychiatric professionals, is to stay on your treatment plan. We’ll help you do that, with timely tips and valuable wisdom about how to manage your medications, maintain your support system, and more.