Bipolar & Changes in Weather

Hi everyone! I hope I'm finding you all in good health. I thought I might briefly touch on the topic of weather changes and how they affect those of us with bipolar. Here in Southwest Michigan we have been having a muggy heat wave in the 90s this week and I have been more agitated than ever! It seems as though the hotter the weather the nastier my mood gets. The extreme heat seems to act as a trigger of sorts for my bipolar. While trolling other bipolar message boards I found others who seem to experience the same thing. Message Board

When I had my major manic episodes in the summer of 2010 it was the beginning of May thru July. Maybe the heat and extra sunlight pushed me over the edge then, who knows. In general I love to sun myself outside whenever possible. I used to go tanning while I had the extra income from employment. Now that is an extra expense I cannot indulge in, so when the weather is right I go outside.

Others have posted online that cold, wet, dreary weather can cause them to fall into a depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder common in climates with long winters, and can be helped with light therapy. It can often be a component of bipolar disorder. I myself do feel more depressed in the winter months. However the past two winters have been milder so my depression hasn’t been affected like it could have been. I have been hospitalized during the winter as well a few years ago and that was for depression and suicidal tendencies. Seems as though the weather does affect my mood. Source

The bottom line is many many things can affect your bipolar, including the weather. It stinks that we have to be more aware of our surroundings for triggers, but that's the hand we've been dealt. I wish you all a Happy Wednesday!

Genetics, is there a link within Bipolar families?

I asked my father, what would you like to know about bipolar disorder? He said he’d like to know more about the genetic factors contributing to the disorder and if there are any foods which exacerbate it. I’m going to try to address both his questions today. Let’s first begin with the genetic aspect of the disorder. 

In 1986 The Columbia Bipolar Genetic Study started a collaborative effort with the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) and Columbia University. NYSPI is world-renowned. It was established in 1896, and is the oldest psychiatric research institute in the United States. Their laboratory is part of the Columbia University Genome Center. The Genome Center houses a community of laboratories run by scientists who have expertise in all aspects of the search for disease genes. The clinicians involved in this study have contributed to the development of the main diagnostic methods currently in use. 

So far their findings have found that bipolar disorder runs in families. The children of parents with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for developing the disease themselves, even if they are adopted and raised by parents who do not have this condition. This clearly points to the involvement of genetic influences. Also, twin studies provide additional support for the importance of genetic factors. The identical twin of someone who suffers from manic depression is at a much greater risk for the illness than a fraternal twin. Because identical twins share all their genes and fraternal twins share only half their genes, this difference in risk highlights the role of heredity as a cause of the disorder. 

Environmental factors are also believed to play a role in determining who is susceptible to the disease. Such factors may include certain viral infections, toxic agents, and emotional stress.  

In recent years, linkage between the illness and genetic markers has been reported by several investigators, but the genes themselves have yet to be isolated. The Columbia Bipolar Genetic Study has reported a possible marker for the disease gene on chromosome 21. This finding has been reproduced by other investigators. Other groups have reported possible markers on other chromosomes, including chromosomes 4, 13, 18, and the X-chromosome. The disease may not be caused by the same gene or genes in all individuals. Some genes may be involved because they interact with other genes. Source Source2 

Several institutions are currently looking for individuals to participate in their studies. The Columbia Bipolar Genetic Study’s link to admission is here: Admission 

Johns Hopkins also has a study available for participation: Admission 

 

Now, are there any foods that make the symptoms of bipolar worse? 

As I mentioned in a previous blog, there is no specific bipolar diet. However, WebMD suggests to avoid caffeine because it can disrupt sleep patterns and avoid high-fat foods because they can slow the absorption of your medications into your body. Livestrong suggests the same thing. Some others suggest staying away from unrefined carbs because they can cause unhealthy cravings that can make mood swings worse. Source It seems that things that everyone should avoid, such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and fats, should also be avoided by those of us with bipolar.  Source

 

I hope this information is helpful to you all. Have a great day!

Escapism of Video Games

Two days ago on June 10, 2013 Sony released price and images for the PlayStation 4 next-generation console. Apparently it's going to be $399 out the door with 140 games in development. I only have the PS2 with a few choice games like Champions of Norrath and Simpsons' Road Rage. I grew up on the original Nintendo and have always loved video games. There used to be a Family Video within walking distance of my parents' house and I used to rent games all the time.

Just as a book can take you away into another world, so can a video game. A game can also help you work through emotions you may be having. When I'm angry or upset, killing some bad guys in a video game feels great. I'm hoping the price of PS3s will drop with this new release because there is a game, Grand Theft Auto IV, which really helps me relax and get frustrations out when I use the available cheat codes. You can unlock all sorts of vehicles to out run cops as well as unlimited ammo and weapons. Running through a park and blasting someone with a baseball bat sometimes feels good. Especially when there is no way you could get away with that shit in real life.

There have been studies done which link depression to video gaming, however I think you could say the same of television or any digital media. This study showed that women use video games more often for mood management than men. I'd have to agree with that one.

Everyday Health suggests monitoring your video game usage so you are not spending exorbitant amounts of time playing. Often staying up late playing games will disrupt sleep patterns, which are key to managing mood swings. My sleeping patterns vary, but I know I need at least 8 hours of sleep if I want to function the next day and not be ornery. Having a basic schedule of activities helps keep my stress levels down. I know what is expected.

So next time you're down in the dumps or really pissed off, try a video game to get your mind off of it. Escape into a video game.

Silver Linings Playbook Review

Hi everyone! I apologize it's been so long since my last post. I attempted to get internet at my apartment through AT&T, and after 2 weeks of no service after the service start up date and two technicians sent out to my apartment it still wasn't fixed, so I cancelled the service. I couldn't deal with being on the phone arguing everyday for two weeks. Unfortunately they are the only internet provider for my building. Oh well, lol.

I've also been dealing a med change. I've been taken off my Risperdone and it has been replaced with Saphris. Then the doc added Effexor to the mix as well. Just started upping my dose of that per doc's orders. He claims I won't need my Kolonopin after the Effexor gets in my system. We'll see.

And on to the Review...

Here's the plot synopsis from IMDb: "After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), moves back in with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver), and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own."

Pat attacked his ex-wife's lover in a jealous rage and is diagnosed with bipolar after an 8 month stint in a mental institution. He is totally focused on repairing his marriage until he meets Tiffany at a dinner party. They immediately hit it off and eventually begin spending time together to help one another out. Tiffany will get a letter to his ex-wife if he helps her in a dancing competition.

I thoroughly loved this movie! I believe Bradley Cooper nailed the part of a bipolar patient. I cried several times because I could relate so well. I too would be up all hours of the night, my mind racing of all kind of thoughts. I would also say inappropriate things at inopportune times, such as the dinner party scene where Pat meets Tiffany. I enjoyed the exchange between the two at dinner when they are comparing the psych meds they have been on. I often have conversations like that with friends from support groups.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Pat and his parents as well. My relationship is decent with my folks now, but it was very tumultuous in the past when I was released from the psych ward each time, just as it was with Pat and his folks.

I also related to the moments when Pat is reunited with his brother and friend. They both listed off a grocery list of reasons why they couldn't go visit him while he was institutionalized. Mental illness scares a lot of people and they often don't know how to act, so they don't act at all. It hurts, but you get over it.

Silver Linings Playbook won an AFI Award in 2013 for Movie of the Year and Jennifer Lawrence won an Oscar for her performance as the leading actress. I think it deserves even more accolades. I highly recommend this film!