In Chapter 12 of Bipolar Disorder For Dummies, we discuss mood stressors and triggers – situations, events, or certain times of the year that tend to lower your threshold for the onset of a mood episode.
For my co-author Joe’s family, it’s the beginning of the school year, Christmas, and the end of the school year. Joe works at home and his wife teaches, so in addition to the normal stress that people experience during these times, his family also has to deal with shifting roles and responsibilities. For about nine months of the year, Joe runs things around the house and acts as Mr. Mom. At the start and end of the school year and over the Christmas holidays, there’s a changing of the guard. For some reason, the change seems to tip the balance in their family dynamic.
By knowing what tends to stress you and trigger shifts in mood, you can often become more proactive in mood management and more sensitive to potential early warning signs. According to Joe, “Whenever we notice ourselves arguing more than usual, that’s a pretty good sign that bipolar is rearing its ugly head. We generally get along pretty well.”
Situations that trigger mood episodes and a person’s stress threshold vary from person to person and family to family. In addition, as the illness progresses over the years, cycles seem to come more of their own free will, sometimes without the impetus of a stressor or trigger. Common stressors include the following:
We invite you to weigh in on this topic and share any insights you have. Let us know what your stressors and triggers are. Are they job related? Lovers quarrels? Family fiascos? Holidays? Certain seasons of the year? Downtime? Situations or events? Or something else completely? Have you discovered or developed any mood management techniques or avoidance strategies that seem to work for you?
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From Psych Central's Dr. Candida Fink & Joe Kraynak:
» Should I Quit My High-Stress Job? - Bipolar Beat (July 22, 2008)
Last minute changes are a big trigger for me. I don’t cope well with people just stopping by.
Music can also be a trigger! Different types of music can drastically change your mood.
Starting a new project of any kind will often trigger a manic episode. I have learned to consult with my husband before starting any project to set parameters for myself and elicit his help to reign me in if I get too far out of my bounds. Sometimes I don’t care how far the mania takes me when I am involved in a creative project like painting or when learning a new skill. But I have to be very careful when undertaking something where others could be hurt. Like the time I started my own law practice on a whim only to have it crash around me when I fell into a hole of deep depression one year later! I barely pulled that one out and luckily no one was hurt - but it scares me to think that someone could have been.
Fluorescent lights in the grocery store if they are operating on a certain frequency can send me into a frenzy.
Unresolved conflict with loved ones.
Music is also a trigger for me - if it is what I consider noise - i.e. I can’t hum, whistle, or recognize a melody line!
Funny you were talking about your co-author’s wife being a teacher. I am a teacher and I love my routine 9 months out of the year. The summer months I have that “change in schedule” I have to work hard at maintaining a routine. It just helps.
As well, I had surgery recently. That was a real challenge to my wellness. All the meds, it just get’s complicated.
Great work! Thank you so much!
Background noise is very difficult for me. I cannot concentrate on a task or a conversation with any background noise & even the music in a movie makes it impossible for me to follow the plot.
I’ve been gong through a very vulnerable time emotionally (even though it has been 2 years since my overdose). I am still so sensitive & get my feelings hurt so easily & actually LOOK for criticism (especially from my husband) which is what triggered the overdose to begin with. So it seems my “triggers” are self-manufactured. He raises an eyebrow & my thoughts escalate it to the point that he is thinking horrible thoughts about me.
I am doing DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) & even though it’s only been about 5 weeks it is helping tremendously so I have hope that I can calm down this irrational thinking & eliminate creating triggers out of nothing but my own imagination.
Definitely starting a new project that I am excited about can set me off. I like how danishgurl had someone to help real her in when things get sideways.
This principle of identifying symptoms, then triggers to those symptoms, then finding ways to modify or eliminate the behaviors is at the center of a workbook I am putting together. My hope is that people will be able to reach out and help some folks get control of their lives again.
A night w/out sleep; fluctuations in blood sugar, esp. when it’s too low
A chaotic situations, like everyone trying to get to the table at a large family gathering (14 to 21 people), working in an environment with crowded rooms, loud music, lots of people talking can trigger anxiety which moves into depression and sometimes mania.
What is rapid cycling bi polar? Is that where you start to have a manic or depressive state /reaction and then catch yourself and polar back to normalcy? I truly do not know what is rapd cycling bi polar and am huntint the net to find an answer thank you for your help. Will try to find the book mentioned above at the library or something the next chance I get to go tothe library.
Stressors for me are anything that is electrical and has a humming sound. Could b microwave as well. Sitting in front of this computer is very hectic for me since I hear my own voice repeatedly sounding throughout the electrical system. There?! Does that sound considered by any one out there? Please let me know, Soon As this is my nerve wrackers and my inability. To cope I generally stay away from all electrical(on or off)
appliances etc.
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