More than one million people (including myself) are living with bipolar in the UK and, despite the summer meaning excitement and positivity for most, for many living with bipolar this is not always the case.
Common challenges in summer can impact people living with the condition- including high temperatures which can interfere with certain medications (including Lithium and anti psychotics or anti depressants), the longer daylight hours which can disrupt mood stability, and travelling which can sometimes trigger symptoms.
There are ways to manage seasonal challenges, and Bipolar UK is now sharing its top tips to help people navigate the summer months!
Top tips for navigating the next few summer months if you have bipolar from Bipolar UK:
Sleep
Maintaining a regular sleep routine is an important way to support mood stability. Lighter nights can make it more difficult to switch off and wind down; and early sunrises can cause disruptions to sleep. Blackout curtains or an eye mask might help.
Heat
Hot weather can affect both physical and mental wellbeing. Certain medications used to treat bipolar can make it harder for the body to regulate its own temperature, leading to overheating. Staying cool, drinking plenty of water and staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day can help reduce the risk of overheating and becoming dehydrated. Rest is important so communicate with friends and family about how you’re feeling and if you need to rearrange plans.
Travel
Be mindful when travelling to different time zones. Jetlag can have an impact on bipolar symptoms. Try to make time to sleep and rest whilst on the plane and when you arrive so you can acclimatise. Set a reminder on your phone of when you need to take your medication so you can stick to your schedule.
Sensitivity
Some bipolar medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight so protecting your skin with a high factor suncream when outside is important, as well as seeking shade when possible. Continue to take your medication as prescribed but do speak to your medical professional if you have any concerns.
Socialising
There are often more social activities during the summer, with people wanting to make the most of the better weather. If it all feels too much, learn to say “no” and preserve your energy. Pick and choose which activities you’d like to do, but don’t feel obliged to do them all.
Routine
Longer days can lead to changes in routine which can trigger shifts in mood. Some people with bipolar feel their mood can shift more easily into hypomania and mania during the summer months, whereas others notice their mood dips into depression. Noticing the signs early and speaking to your mental health team, family or other support network can ensure you get help when you need it and potentially avoid a relapse.
A dual diagnosis occurs when an individual simultaneously struggles with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Far more common than many realise, dual diagnoses can involve combinations such as depression and alcohol dependence, anxiety and benzodiazepine misuse, bipolar disorder coupled with stimulant abuse, or PTSD alongside opioid addiction. Attempting to treat one condition in isolation while neglecting the other typically leads to inadequate results and higher relapse rates. Dual-diagnosis care addresses both issues in tandem, recognising the complex interplay between mental health and addiction. Below, we explore five essential components of an effective, integrated treatment approach that fosters sustainable recovery.
Understanding the Link Between Mental Health and Addiction
Self-medication is a common pathway to substance misuse: someone experiencing chronic anxiety may reach for alcohol to calm racing thoughts, while an individual with untreated depression might use opioids to numb emotional pain. Unfortunately, what begins as short-term relief often worsens underlying psychiatric symptoms. Alcohol, for example, disrupts sleep and brain chemistry, intensifying anxiety or depression over time. Conversely, the guilt, shame, and isolation that emerge from addiction can spark or aggravate mood disorders.
Recognising this bidirectional relationship is critical in dual-diagnosis care. Clinicians assess not only which substance came first, but also how each condition fuels the other. By identifying triggers—whether social stressors, traumatic memories, or genetic vulnerabilities—therapists can help patients develop healthier coping strategies. Early psychoeducation enables individuals to see how their mental health and addiction are intertwined, fostering motivation to engage in comprehensive treatment.
Comprehensive Assessments for Accurate Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis is rampant in dual-diagnosis cases: withdrawal symptoms can mask depression, and manic episodes may be mistaken for cocaine highs. To avoid these pitfalls, providers conduct thorough biopsychosocial evaluations that delve into psychiatric history, substance use patterns, family dynamics, medical background, and co-occurring health issues. Standardised screening tools—such as the PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, CAGE for alcohol misuse, and the Addiction Severity Index—offer structured insights that guide diagnostic clarity.
Laboratory tests and, when indicated, neuroimaging can reveal medical complications—like liver dysfunction in heavy drinkers or neurochemical imbalances in long-term stimulant users. Ongoing assessments throughout treatment help clinicians monitor progress, adjust medication, and refine therapy goals. An accurate, layered diagnosis ensures that neither the mental health disorder nor the addiction is minimized, laying the groundwork for a cohesive care plan.
The Role of Integrated Treatment Plans
Unlike traditional models that silo psychiatric care and addiction treatment, integrated plans bring multidisciplinary teams together. Psychiatrists, addiction medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers, and certified peer support counsellors collaborate on a unified treatment blueprint. Core elements may include:
Medication management to stabilise mood disorders and reduce cravings (for instance, SSRIs for depression and buprenorphine for opioid dependency)
Evidence-based psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused interventions for PTSD
Group therapy sessions that address both substance use behaviours and coping skills for anxiety or mood regulation
Family therapy and psychoeducation to repair relationships and build a supportive home environment
Holistic modalities—mindfulness training, yoga, nutritional counseling—aimed at restoring overall well-being
Coordinated care prevents mixed messages and redundant treatments. When each provider shares a common set of goals and progress metrics, patients receive consistent guidance, and their support network remains informed and engaged.
(image: Alysha Rosly, Unsplash)
Flexible Care Through Programs Like the Intensive Outpatient Program
Not everyone with a dual diagnosis needs round-the-clock residential care. For those with strong support systems, manageable symptom severity, and stable living conditions, outpatient solutions can strike the right balance. A reputable intensive outpatient treatment program offers structured therapy multiple times per week, while allowing individuals to live at home and maintain work or family responsibilities.
These programs typically include group counselling, individual therapy, psychiatric check-ins, and relapse prevention workshops. They serve as a transitional step either before entering less intensive outpatient care or following discharge from an inpatient facility. Flexible scheduling and a mix of virtual and in-person sessions accommodate diverse lifestyles, enabling more people to access high-quality dual-diagnosis treatment without uprooting their lives. In the UK, these were known as ADTU units attached to hospitals, but there are less of these on the NHS.
The Importance of Ongoing Support and Aftercare
Recovery from a dual diagnosis doesn’t end when formal treatment ends. Long-term success hinges on robust aftercare and relapse prevention strategies that recognize recovery as a lifelong process. Essential components of sustained support include:
Peer support groups—such as Dual Recovery Anonymous or integrated 12-step fellowships—that offer lived-experience encouragement
Regular outpatient counselling or case management to address emerging challenges and adjust treatment plans
Medication-assisted maintenance, when appropriate, to stabilise chronic mental health conditions and prevent relapse
Life-skills workshops for stress management, financial planning, and vocational training to strengthen daily functioning
Digital tools and telehealth check-ins that enhance accessibility, especially for those in remote areas
Family involvement remains vital: ongoing family therapy sessions and education empower loved ones to recognize early warning signs and respond effectively. Community resources—like sober living homes and recreational recovery programs—further enrich social support, reducing isolation and reinforcing positive lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
Effective dual-diagnosis care transcends the simplistic view of treating mental illness and addiction separately. By acknowledging their deep interconnection, clinicians can offer comprehensive assessments, integrated treatment plans, flexible program options, and enduring aftercare. Whether delivered through residential facilities or outpatient settings, these five components—link recognition, accurate diagnosis, collaborative treatment, adaptable program structures, and sustained support—equip individuals with the skills and stability needed for lasting recovery. Embracing a holistic, patient-centered approach that addresses the whole person, not just isolated symptoms, paves the way for renewed health, purpose, and hope.
This article was written by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Howard, writer and contains a sponsored link.
You need daily habits in your life for mental clarity; these daily habits are often vital for wellbeing. Sometimes your mental health might take a dip, you might feel drained, depressed or feeling like you are left behind and cannot keep up. Here are some daily habits that can help to boost your mental health:
Practice Morning Mindfulness
Mindfulness can include simple tasks such as starting off the day on a positive note and setting good intentions by writing or speaking affirmations or engaging in prayer. Every day after you get up, you should make your bed as this is a small exercise that will only take two minutes of your day and prepare for a good day. As soon as you get up, do some simple, mindful stretches like swinging your arms in circles or doing the cobra pose to prepare your body for a focused day quickly.
Move Your Body
You should move your body and avoid sitting in one place, as moving around ensures that blood flows to your brain better and faster, providing it with oxygen, and activities like taking a stroll, especially early morning strolls when the weather is nice and there is calm in the air, are also good for you. You can breathe in fresh air and it makes you look at things from a new perspective. So, take morning or lunchtime walks so you may be prepared for the day. You can also do activities like yoga which boosts mindfulness and helps you get mental clarity. It can also calm your mood, and you can also do cardio workouts like cycling and running to give your brain the pump of blood it needs and help you think more clearly and better.
Fuel Your Brain
If you want your brain to think clearly, you must provide it with the right type of nutrients, too. You should make a list of foods that are good for your mental health and incorporate them into your daily routine. You can have fruits and vegetables, healthy carbs and proteins as your brain cells need nourishment to think better, too! You should also drink water and get yourself hydrated, as water makes your blood move around the body faster, wakes up your brain, and increases brain function. Also, you can take supplements like chlorella, a high protein plant. Some chlorella benefits include detoxification and improved focus, which are good for mental clarity.
Journalling for Emotional Release
There are some activities, like journalling, that you can do at the end of the day to let go of any stress that your body has. You can write about the things that went wrong in the day and what went well. Take your time to reflect on things so you do not end up overthinking things and overstimulating your brain. You should have a journal by your bed so if you feel like some unprocessed thoughts are coming to you, you can vent them out in your journal, which should help your mental health.
Sleep Better
Establish a bedtime routine for yourself that is unique to you so that you can look forward to it every night, and it helps you sleep better. You can read a book, lower the brightness of the lights in your room, and have decaffeinated tea or water. You should also avoid screens before going to bed, the LED light is not good for your eyes and does not let you sleep well. The use of screens has proven to have a strong link with less sleep time and delayed sleep.
Daily activities for your mental health require you to be consistent and true to yourself if you really want to see the results.. So, start with something small like making your bed and practicing mindfulness and then keep on adding some activities to your routine so by the end of a few days, you meet with a better, improved version of yourself, one with a clear mind and better health.
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