A psychiatrist explains why warmer weather can affect mood and how to stay steady through seasonal shifts.
Key Takeaways
- A sudden drop in your need for sleep can be an early warning sign of a summer manic episode.
- Because seasonal shifts are predictable, talk with your doctor about a summer plan before heat and longer daylight set in.
- A consistent schedule and avoiding alcohol can help protect against seasonal mood changes.
- Severe mania is a medical emergency, so make sure a trusted loved one has your healthcare directive and knows when to get help.
The coming of spring and summer reenergizes all the senses. The warm sun, the beauty of nature, the smell of flowers, the sound of a soft breeze through the willows — it is all so stimulating and so wonderful! The sun seems brighter, being higher in the sky, and there’s more of it.
Personally, I love spring. I feel more energy, and I love waking up to the sound of birds outside my window. Everything is more colorful and enjoyable. The feeling of being attuned to the world is a fundamental element of humanity.
Many individuals notice a welcome change from the winter doldrums with the boost that spring brings. For people living with bipolar disorder, however, the changing of the seasons can be somewhat of a challenge due to the energizing effects of increased sunlight.
Recognizing the Early Warning Signs of Mania
Bipolar disorder amplifies emotions and energy. When spring and summer experiences get intense, everything bipolar resonates … but things can go wrong very quickly. Often, the first warning sign is a decreased need for sleep. With the renewed feelings of energy and enthusiasm, who needs rest?
Suddenly, there’s so much to do and see! Ideas come quickly and just seem to be right on the money, and others laugh at the witty jokes … at first. It’s a wonderful feeling! The thirst for romance is enhanced, and the beautiful people at the sidewalk cafes are more sensual than ever. Humanity is buzzing with social engagement.
But the momentum in the moods of bipolar disorder often goes well beyond healthy limits and can result in hypomania or mania. It can be very difficult to recognize the difference between a good day becoming a great day, and a good day becoming an absolute disaster. Before you know it, you can find yourself in the throes of a full-blown mania, and self-control flies out the window.
Understanding Summer Mania and Maintaining Mood Stability
Summer mania can be a feature of seasonal affective disorder, a specifier of a pattern of illness that can be applied when a mood disorder occurs predictably at a specific time of year. Summer mania can occur on its own, but is more common following low moods over the fall and winter seasons. There’s no specific treatment for summer mania beyond the regular treatment of mania itself.
Successful management of summer mania begins with prevention. Simply knowing that you’re at risk for developing mania with the change of seasons is a major step forward.
Proactive Steps for a Stable Summer
Here are some simple strategies to help maintain stability:
- Prioritize sleep. Get enough sleep and maintain a regular routine. Staying awake late into the night can disrupt your routine and destabilize your mood.
- Avoid intoxicating substances. Stay away from alcohol or other drugs, as they can also destabilize your mood.
- Balance your lifestyle. Healthy living involves a balanced diet and a modest amount of exercise; avoid excesses.
- Communicate with your support network. Let your family and friends know that summer is a risky time for you, and ask them to help keep an eye on your mental health condition.
- Manage your stress levels. Avoid taking on major projects that will result in undue stress.
- Create a contingency plan. Talk to your healthcare provider about a plan if you suddenly find yourself needing less sleep or feeling over-energized.
- Relax and be peaceful. Take time to recharge.
A strategic plan focused on prevention will help tremendously, but this is not always enough to prevent an acute manic episode. It’s wise to provide a family member or friend with a healthcare directive that authorizes them to seek help from the authorities to transport you to the nearest emergency room for a medical evaluation — just in case.
I often liken an acute episode of bipolar disorder to a heart attack or other medical emergency: immediate attention could save your life.
UPDATED: Printed as “Ask the doctor: Summer mania,” Summer 2016
