Managing Bipolar Disorder in the Summer

Hello and welcome back to my blog! It is officially summer in 2021, as the first day of summer is today, on June 20th. Also happy Father's Day! Shoutout to all of the Fathers in the world! My 11th blog, which is this one, will be about managing bipolar disorder in the summertime. Bipolar disorder, which I will write about in another separate blog, is a very complicated mental health condition, and can be more serious in the summer for some than for others. I personally also have bipolar disorder, and I have been hospitalized once during the summer because of a severe manic episode.

The main cause for concern about bipolar disorder is that manic or hypomanic (less severe form of manic) episodes are more likely to occur during warm temperatures, or the summer, according to many scientific studies. According to Psychiatry Advisor, an Austrian study conducted on patients with bipolar disorder noted that impatient admissions to the hospital for bipolar disorder peaked for men in the month of June.

The key to managing manic or hypomanic episodes is to seek HELP immediately. Symptoms of manic or hypomanic episodes include an abnormal increase in energy, trouble sleeping, irritability, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, euphoria and exaggerated sense of self-being, racing thoughts, and possible spending sprees. I have experienced almost all of these symptoms during my manic episode several years ago in the summer, which ultimately resulted in a hospitalization. However, it can be noted that a hypomanic episode does not always require hospitalization; it can be managed effectively with treatment from a psychiatrist.

Also, if you have bipolar disorder, DO NOT skip taking your medications or attending your doctor appointments. You must take your medications every day in order to prevent or mitigate manic episodes. Furthermore, it is essential to attend every scheduled doctor appointment because your psychiatrist knows what is best for you and your health.

In addition, dehydration is extremely common during the summer, but even more common with bipolar medication, such as lithium carbonate, one of the most common medications to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium carbonate causes dehydration and thirst, and the best way to treat dehydration and thirst is to simply drink more fluids, especially those that contain electrolytes. And during the summer, when perspiration is higher than normal, one who has bipolar disorder and takes lithium carbonate should drink even more fluids with electrolytes than normal.

I hope this blog will enable readers to be aware of the symptoms of a manic or hypomanic episode. Please report anybody that you know with symptoms of a manic or a hypomanic episode, whether or not it is during the summer, to a psychiatrist.

Thank you so much for reading my 11th blog! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me at jessepliu@gmail.com. Also please subscribe to my blog at the bottom of the home page, and share with family and friends!