March 2, 2017 • Volume 10, Issue 9 • Subscribe to Hope & Harmony Headlines
Preparing for Daylight Saving Time
To maintain stability when we “spring ahead” for Daylight Saving Time on March 12, start preparing now. The time change tends to throw off the body’s internal clock—an interconnected system regulating hormone levels and other processes on a roughly 24-hour cycle—and having bipolar disorder makes you especially vulnerable.
Shifting to Daylight Saving, crossing time zones, even staying up too late for a night or two, trigger mood symptoms for many. That’s because there’s a well-established association between bipolar and fragile circadian rhythms (natural patterns of hunger, energy level, and sleep over the course of a day).
In a study published last month involving 42 individuals with bipolar, roughly a quarter had circadian rhythm disturbance. And that underlying dysregulation appears to be independent of illness: Brazilian scientists who conducted a review of research published as of February 2016 concluded that sleep problems and circadian disturbances are common in individuals at high risk for developing bipolar disorder.
To prepare for the time change, you might consult with your prescribing practitioner about proactive medication adjustments. You might schedule an extra psychotherapy session. You’ll definitely want to carefully track your typical breakthrough symptoms.
Kelly Brown, MD, a sleep specialist at Vanderbilt University, also recommends moving your bedtime routine 15 minutes earlier each night during the week before the time change. On the weekend of the time change, she says, get up at your regular weekday time, have a good breakfast first thing, and get outside early for exposure to morning light.
Day in and day out, sticking to a regular structure for meals, exercise, work and sleep should be a pillar of your wellness plan. Find out more by reading “Routine Maintenance.” >>
Demi Lovato and ‘Be Vocal’ release exciting new documentary
FEBRUARY 22, 2017, Marlborough, MA—Entertainment powerhouse and mental health advocate Demi Lovato, in conjunction with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. and five leading mental health advocacy organizations, announced the release of the documentary Beyond Silence.
Lovato said the film “shines a light on the importance of hope in the face of adversity and how friends, coworkers and even pets can make a meaningful difference. I encourage everyone to watch, share and talk about this film. Only by speaking up together can we advance mental health in America.”
Beyond Silence features day-in the-life footage and interviews with three individuals whose lives have been transformed by speaking up for mental health: Jeff Fink, Lloyd Hale, and Lauren Burke.
“I hope to show that it’s possible to live a thriving and successful life despite any challenges people may face, and that our individual imperfections are what make us unique and human,” said Burke, a lawyer and social activist who has bipolar disorder. Burke was also featured in the profile “Change Agent” in our Winter issue of bp Magazine.
The documentary’s director, Shaul Schwarz, is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker. “Stories have the power to change hearts and minds, shape perceptions, and inspire action for the greater good,” he said. “I am so grateful to Jeff, Lauren and Lloyd for their courage, their heart and their vulnerability.”
Beyond Silence is part of the Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health anti-stigma initiative. It’s available for streaming on the Be Vocal website. Watch now >>
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