Bipolar Disorder & The Flu
Introduction
Bipolar disorder is a lot to deal with with its perpetual ups and downs. Add the flu to the mixture, and an already cumbersome situation can prove even harder. When bipolar disorder and the flu come together there are some special precautions to take.
The Flu & Mood Episode Risk
Anyone who has had the flu knows the emotional state that comes with it. Low energy, sinus pressure, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, fever, nausea, shivering, aches, and the feeling of wanting to curl up in bed. The typical course to recovery is to take an over-the-counter flu medication, rest, and wait it out. The challenge for individuals with bipolar disorder, however, is the risk of falling into the extreme mood episodes of mania or depression. Especially with the low energy, there is increased risk of falling into a depressive episode. Here are 6 pieces of advice to bear in mind if you or your loved one is dealing with bipolar disorder and the flu.
1. Medication Management:
If you are thinking about taking over-the-counter flu medication, then strongly consider seeking guidance from your doctor about which medication is safe for you to take. If you are on medication for bipolar disorder there are risks for adverse side effects such as triggering a manic or depressive episode. Even if you are not on medication, it is best to speak with a doctor to make sure there are no increased risks with OTC meds and triggering a mood episode. Next comes advice on what you can do at home when dealing with bipolar disorder and the flu.
2. Eat Well:
An effective way to prevent negative thoughts from spiraling out of control is to eat a hardy, whole-foods meal. We recommend the same foods on our post related to bipolar disorder and diet; however, the added comfort of a hardy stew mixed with bone broth and vitamin rich vegetables will go a long way in alleviating the shivering, aches, and feelings of weakness. Here is a recipe that is Paleo and Keto approved! Once you are fed well, you are ready to tackle bipolar disorder and the flu with must rest.
3. Rest:
This may seem common sense, but it may not be as obvious who is in a manic state. You must rest in order to prevent both the mania and flu from getting worse. Aspire to get 8-hours of sleep at night and naps during the day time when you feel tired. Lastly, with regard to rest, allow yourself the grace to rest without guilt, but not too much! Bipolar disorder and the flu is a slippery slope that can lead to depression if not addressed with moderate exercise.
4. Exercise Moderately:
This may sound counter to the previous advice, but light forms of exercise such as walking, yoga, or even moving around to clean up your house for 10-20 minutes will invigorate the body and prevent it from falling into a depressive state. This is KEY to mood stability if you are predisposed to feeling down when sick. It can also release pent up energy from a busy, manic mind that can feel anxious in a physically ill body.
5. Take a Warm Bath
With long periods of rest in our beds, we tend to release a lot sweat and odors from our body. Consider taking warm baths daily to remain calm, relieve the shivering and aches, flush out your sinuses, and smell fragrances that uplift mood. This also helps prepare you for a good night’s sleep. These are all things you can do for yourself when dealing with bipolar disorder and the flu; however, you likely have people in your life that you interact with as well.
6. Communicate to Your Support Network:
Let the people in your life know that you have the flu so they know that (1) you might mentally unwell as well, (2) they can check in on you, which helps anyone feel better, (3) help support your or keep you accountable to sleep, eat, and move your body well so that you optimize your body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Conclusion & Mindfulness
Lastly, take on a practice of repeating positive words to yourself despite feeling crummy. Bruce Lee once stated, “Don’t speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke. Your body doesn’t know the difference. Words are energy and they cast spells, that’s why it’s called spelling. Change the way you speak about yourself, and you can change your life.” This is REALLY true in the case of individuals with bipolar disorder and the flu. While saying things like “I feel like trash” or “this is the worst!” are true and tempting, knowing that speaking words into existence change our perception of the world.
It’s no easy undertaking managing bipolar disorder and the flu at the same time. Keep these six pieces of advice in mind and let us know what you have done in the past to get through the hurdle
