The Christmas season can be a joyful time, but for those living with bipolar disorder, it often exacerbates symptoms, including impulsive overspending. Bipolar UK, a national charity, highlights how the financial and social pressures of the season can trigger manic or depressive episodes, making it crucial for those affected to recognise and manage potential relapses.
Dr Thomas Richardson, a clinical psychologist at Southampton University who has both professional and personal experience with bipolar, explains the nature of this behaviour. “Impulsive or compulsive spending means spending more money than you planned and regretting it,” he said. He further noted that this compulsion often stems from feelings of guilt and a desire to express gratitude or generosity toward loved ones.
“Christmas is a time where we’re surrounded by adverts encouraging us to buy things,” Dr Richardson explained. “There’s additional pressure to socialise, which can be very triggering for people living with bipolar.”
Dr Richardson’s recent survey of 500 individuals living with bipolar revealed that 82% reported impulsive spending during hypomanic episodes, while 63% experienced overspending during depressive states.
April Kelley, an award-winning actress and producer, shared her own struggles with overspending, often driven by a mix of emotional gratification and a desire to make others happy. “Last Christmas I bought flights from LA to the UK at the last minute to surprise my parents, but I’ve also been known to buy an entire bar’s worth of Jäger bombs,” she said.
Kelley has since adopted digital banking to better manage her finances, using tools that allow her to divide funds into specific budgets. Her parents also play an active role in helping her maintain control.
Practical steps for financial control
Dr Richardson offers several strategies to prevent overspending:
- Digital banking tools can help budget and manage spending. Apps allow users to set limits and divide money into specific categories, reducing the temptation to make impulsive purchases.
- Creating a detailed shopping list helps prioritise needs over wants. This practice can minimise unnecessary expenditures.
- Reducing external influences is essential. Unsubscribing from marketing emails and limiting exposure to advertisements on social media can help avoid temptation.
- Engage in alternative activities when tempted to overspend. Physical activities such as going to the gym can provide distraction and reduce impulsivity.
Simon Kitchen, CEO of Bipolar UK, advocates for Advance Choice Documents (ACDs) to help individuals navigate potential relapses. “The idea is to write an ACD with your loved one or doctor when you’re well,” he said. These documents can outline actions to take when early signs of relapse appear, such as limiting credit card access or switching to a basic mobile phone.
Monitoring mood is another crucial component. Bipolar UK’s free Mood Tracker app helps users detect early warning signs of relapse, enabling them to act before symptoms worsen.
Kitchen emphasises that support is always available: “We provide one-to-one peer support, support groups, and a 24/7 eCommunity that is open 365 days a year, even on Christmas day.”
Bipolar UK encourages anyone struggling with seasonal triggers to reach out for help. Christmas, while challenging, can be navigated successfully with the right tools, strategies, and support systems in place.
This article was written by Psychreg News Team from www.psychreg.org
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