MHM Magazine

Issue 6 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 23 MHM For your patients with Bipolar, life’s challenges can feel like an uphill battle. During the festive season this becomes more compounded, with: • The pressure to always be jolly • To interact with difficult family members • Disruptions to access to doctors and medicine • More drinking than normal by those around you This is where extra support and guidance will help them through the season, making all the difference. HERE ARE SOME TIPS FROM PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR FOR HELPING YOUR PATIENTS MANAGE THE FESTIVE SEASON MEDICATION • Take your medication religiously: The festive season can make it easy to lose track of time and miss your medication. Set reminders on your phone and give yourself visual cues such as post-it notes stuck around the house. • Filling your prescription: Access to doctors and pharmacies may be limited and subject to unusual hours, so make sure you have this information. Count the days until your medication will run out and ensure your script is filled in advance and you won’t run out. FESTIVITIES • It’s okay to skip out on/leave celebrations: The festive season brings with it a lot of pressure to be festive and social, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed or if you can’t face another party, remember it’s okay to say no. • Shopping: Festive season shopping can be a trigger. Try to do your shopping before the rush. This will prevent you from experiencing that last-minute anxiety and the overcrowding of shopping malls. Avoid sales, as this is where you can end up buying things you don’t need. Setting a budget beforehand can also be a helpful way to alleviate the pressure. • Alcohol: Don’t abuse any substances. The holidays are a time where most people drink alcohol and it can be easy to lose track of how much you’ve had. Remember that drinking can affect your mood. Ask yourself if over-indulging is worth two or three bad days. Consider a non-alcoholic or ‘lite’ version of your favourite drink. MANAGING YOUR MOOD • Avoid situations that may trigger you: If you know that a particular person, conversation or event is a potential trigger, stay clear. TIPS FOR YOUR PATIENTS WITHBIPOLARDURINGTHE HOLIDAYS By Alexa Scher Clinical Psychologist Johannesburg http://www.alexascher.co.za/