Summer days effects on BiPolar II

 Does anyone else feel really antsy at this time of year. I have been diagnosed as BiPolar since age 18 and BiPolar II since age of 30. I can somehow manage to get through the bad blues of winter, holding on by a thread and retreating whenever possible, however, this feeling of not being able to exist in my own body became noticable in Spring, and now, just 24 hours until summer solstice, I feel like I'm really going to lose it. I take amyltriptilene 100mg. at bedtime. I have a really hard time falling asleep, and invariably awaken at 4:00 AM, usually after about 3-4 hours of sleep. I try and rest during the day, try just to loosen up a bit but nothing seems to be helping. I used to joke about giving my eye teeth for a manic spell because my depressive state is the major manisfestation,  however, right now it doesn't feel o.k., at all. I am a Canadian, so we have socialized medicine, equally of opportunity to see a doctor, however, due to long waiting lists, I've been waiting about fourteen months for an appointment with a psychiatrist. The amyltriptilene wasn't even prescribed for BiPolar, or Depression, but was prescribed for a sleep disorder and fibromyalgia. Any ideas appreciated.

I really hate summer, especially Jul and Aug.  I think I have "summer" affective disorder.  Seems impossible to get through the days. 

Tyno,

I was really concerned about it taking you so long so I did some asking around. Essentially you haven't seen a pdoc since you were hospitalized? That's unacceptable and I'm surprised you've put up with it. A colleague of mine said that in canada you need a referral from a doctor or councilor -- I assume you have that? If not, make a doctor's appt asap. But with that it shouldn't take anywhere as long as what you've waited, you need to call another psych doctor, or a few pdocs, to see who can get you in the soonest. She said she got in in about a month. As a final option, she suggested going to the ER to see the pdoc on staff.

I hope this helps,

serafena

HELLO ALL! I am new I am bipolar II
I get the really down felings as well unable to function or to get out of bed somedays
I am struggling with with sleep issue since just days ago and it is scaring me

Post Edited (AIB) : 6/23/2008 3:16:49 PM (GMT-6)

 Once you solve the sleep problem issue, things will get better. There is, for me a real connection between the ammount of sleep I get and how my (Bipolar II) illness manifests. For example, when I don't get adequate sleep, like last week when I was feeling antsy, unable to fall asleep and then waking several times during the night only to find myself wide awake anytime between 2 and 4 AM. It was an awful feeling. Like Mania. Then, I tried to get in place techniques I was given in another forum to improve my ammt. and quality of sleep. Sleep hygiene techniques. Like having the room dark (black out curtains) from about 9PM on. Not getting on the computer during the night b/c that stimulates thinking and makes us wakeful. Now I discipline myself to keep off the computer at night. Quiet, dark and secure are key to me. Because quiet isn't always possible, I have a fan going (white noise) in my room at night to drown out noise. My advisor from the other forum mentioned taking melatonin at bedtime. I haven't tried this. I am afraid to introduce any more variables as I seem to be doing better. I wish you luck, AIB. Once you find a program that works for you, stick to it. One key to surviving this disorder is keeping to a strict routine, regular meals, regular bedtime. It's hard but do-able.

Hi,

I was diagnosed with bipolar II about 18 motnsh ago - previously my diagnosis was GAD and chronic depression but BP II seems to fit better. I have had depressive episodes every summer for the last several years. After the worst one I have ever experienced, last summer (scary!), I finally got on a med cocktail that helped me feel the best I have in my life. But summer is here again and my ups and downs are more rapid and more severe than they were through the fall, winter and spring. I really believe there is something about the summer that affects my condition - I suppose the most obvious thing would be the longer days. It's a relief to see I'm not the only one...although any tips are helpful. I'm wondering if I need to up any meds during this season or just try to ride it out and be vigilant about self-care, i.e. not overextending myself, keeping a regular sleep schedule etc. BTW, I am on Lamictal, Lexapro and Clonazepam. Recently started fish oil but have not been consistent (hard to add one more pill to my day!).

Hello and Welcome bbb74 and Lorraine NL: I'm doing better now. I think I've adjusted to the longer summer days and have adjusted my meds so I now sleep through until 3AM, get up briefly (I have to get up and move around as I also have Fibromyalgia and am in agony when lying in one position for more than 2-3 hours). But, it's OK. I get some warm milk and take a couple of tylenol and can get back to sleep within an hour. Then I'm up at 6:30 for good.

As far as not having access to a pdoc, i got a message from the intake worker in this catchment area yesterday. Unfortunately the call came in after 4PM and by the time I called back she was gone for the weekend.  however, i will pursue her like the madwoman I am come Monday. i hope she'll get me in to see someone fairly quickly. It's scary out here all alone trying to sort through this very complex disease. The lexapro, how is it working for you? I tried it two years ago in summer and noticed no effect whatsoever. However, I'd been on so many SSRI's for so many years I doubt any of them will help me. originally, Sertilene was a wonder drug for me. It was like a thousand lbs. was lifted from my shoulders by the end of week 1. As years went by it was less and less effective. Thank-you all for you help and wise words. Keep your fingers crossed that I'll get to see someone pretty soon. I might add i am the sole caregiver for my elderly Dad who has stage 2 Alzheimers. I've been here taking care of him with no respite for twenty months. can you imagin how hard this is when I have these health problems and no support system, except ya'll. Not to underrate that. i could not have come this far w/o you folk.

I'm the exact way you described. I never could figure out how people had the winter blues. I thrive in the winter and in the summer come apart.

I can't focus, it's overstimulation. All the light and sounds does my head in. Winter is laid back and as I don't get depressed ( I tend to run very high), I can feel some stability in the winter.

Every summer my shrink ups my klonopin. On the upside the days are getting shorter now, hang in there and things will be calm once again in the winter.