Identifying Your Bipolar Stressors and Triggers

By Candida Fink MD

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:

• Job-related stress, such as tight deadlines, an overbearing boss, irregular hours (split shifts tend to be notorious for causing stress), and an ever-changing workload
• Relationship conflicts, which could be caused by fallout from bipolar, such as overspending, an inability to work, a desire for conflict, or a lack of energy
• Family fiascos, including personality conflicts with family members or unresolved issues from the past
• Holidays, when you tend to have more to do than usual or your normal schedule is turned upside down
• Mood-altering people, including those with whom you tend to clash and those who might lead you down the path of making unhealthy decisions, like your best friend, the self-proclaimed party animal
• Uncomfortable situations that trigger strong emotional reactions, such as having bill collectors calling you in the middle of the night or even having to wait for over an hour in your doctor’s office
• Downtime, which most people might feel is a welcome relief but that can really toss your schedule for a loop

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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