hey. was just wondering if anyone with bi polar had experienced changes in mood according to the seasons sort of. i know about S.A.D and im pretty sure i dont have it but during the winter i seem to be quite down not depressed but still not my usual self (if there is such a thing) and then when it gets to february-march i kind of come out of it and im chatty and happy with not so many down moments. it's only happened in the last 2 years which is how i noticed the pattern. was diagnosed with bi polar when i was 14 and have just turned 21 so talked to a lot of people about having bp and this sudden 'change' i am on medication which should control this shifts in mood i thought. iv spoken to people about it but dont feel they really understand how it feels. some said i may need my medication adjusting but dont really want to have to take more than i am. its really frustrating cos i am like a different person during the winter months than in the summer. My boyfriend and my mum have noticed si its not my imagination. Can anyone relate to this or able to give me some advice please?i would really appreciate it.:)
Q: Need advice on mood change in certain times of the year???
Hi, Sunshine. There us a lot of evidence that bipolar is in some way connected to seasonal shifts. This doesn't mean that everyone feels the effect, but clearly a lot of us do. There is even a credible theory that seasonal depressions are in some way related to mammalian hiberation instincts, which makes sense if you view both as a survival mechanism. Winter or some other even comes on - you need to shut down or slow down. Depression is a very effective mechanism for that. So here we are - coping with modern life with Stone Age biology.
Another way of looking at it is that seasonal shifts are the slow-cycling part of what is basically a cycling illness. Other cycles such as sleep may also be tied in to our "master clock."
A good many people with bipolar have light boxes to help deal with seasonal depression. Moving to southern CA helped a lot for me.
In any event, for whatever reason, what you describe is real. Hope this helps -
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Hi thanx for answering my question. Made me think a lot and also helped me realise that it doesn't just happen to me! Thanx again and take care.