I suppose it is no secret that winter is a particularly tough time for all of us, whether you are Bipolar or not. The days are shorter. (Although 24 hours is still 24 hours) The sorrounding landscape is a lovely shade of brown and white. (Instead of that terribly annoying array of lush greens to bluegreens of the beautiful state in which I live) The skeletons of the naked trees reach toward the gray skies. (Not those rediculous trees with wind-swept arms carrying their foliage) The sun, though bright at times, is far to distant to give us any of the warmth it shares with us during the spring and summer. (The smell of freshly cut grass, and the warmth of a golden seventy-two degree day. Yuck. Disgusting!) Add to the pot there are a couple of major holidays creeping up on you, and you feel less like celebrating and more like hibernating. Ho Hum. It's winter, and not only does the wind and snow have the countryside in it's grips, but you as well. It is enough to make you scream. (I think I will. Yarg! Ah, thats much better.) What's a person to do?

"Relax!", you say. "Spring is around the corner, and soon all will be well." Though this is true, it helps little when you are battling winter depression, or seasonal depression disorder, or what ever other fancy name you care to call it. All in all, it boils down to winter blues, and cabin fever, especially so if you are lucky enough to live in a place that winter and spring battle one another into late April or early May! It sucks.

I have spent alot of time on these Hubs, explaining what Bipolar is and how it affects us, and those around us. I have said little about ways to try to get through it all. That is because it is alot easier to tell people what it is than to try to explain how to get through it. Why? Well, because not everyone is the same. (Thank goodness. If we were, this would be a really boring place to be!) What works for one may not work for another. As a matter of fact, that is why there are so many different drugs out there which are prescribed for the management of Bipolar. (Notice I said "management" and not cure.) In as many cases, that say, Zoloft has helped individuals, there are as many cases where it has not. As a matter of fact, some Bipolars are negatively affected by the drug.

Being the curious little fellow that I am, I began to wonder just what a body could do to try to make it through seasonal depression without having to resort to commercially available prescription drugs and all the chemically engineered crap professionals want to stuff into our pieholes. I already know how my system responds to all the pretty little pills they wanted me to take. (Not well, thanks for asking.) I was living like I was on a Pogo Stick. (With little Pogo, and no stick.) It really is hard to function like that. I didn't know what the heck was going on around me, let alone in me. I was a real mess. (I still am a mess, but less of one than I was.) Oh, let's not rehash.

Good question, I am so glad you asked. Let me start by saying this. An open mind can do astounding things, and positive energy is far stronger than negative. Now that just sounds like some kind of mumbo jumbo, but I need for you to bare those two things in mind as you continue. Yes, modern science is remarkable, and they can do alot of amazing things in repairing the human body. So far though, not so good on the human physque. Oh yes, they seem to understand the problems the human mind can create within us, but treating that is much different than mending a broken bone, or removing a tumor. The mind is far more fragile than any organ or tissue within our bodies, and far harder to evaluate for success in treatment. When a bone is mended, you can use it with out pain. When a surgical site is healed, your are able to see just that, but if a mind is ill, the mind continues to function, with no outward sign of problem.

Most importantly for Bipolar individuals, and to their friends and family, is recognizing the signs of depression. Bare in mind, they can range from hardly perceptable to out right, there is no denying, this person is depressed. Chances are, it is the barely perceptable signs that will begin to stir hours, or even days before a full blown Boohoo fest. The individual in question, can learn these signs and pick up on them if they really learn to pay attention to themselves. As I have said in the past, management is what we strive for, because cure is not on the block at the present moment.

"Okay, smarty pants, what do I look for? Well, I know for me, one of the first signs that something is not quite right in the world is when I begin to notice a slight soarness on the surface of my skin. Like, maybe a tenderness somewhere that I do not remember injuring. (No, just because your skin hurts dosen't mean you are gonna be depressed. Maybe you are just sunburned.) Or just a feeling in the back of my mind that I feel a bit, just a bit, antsey. Not " I can't sit still" antsey, but more of a marose, "I don't feel like doing a damn thing" antsey. Or, just the fact that I am sitting, thinking of absolutely nothing. Just a completely blank mind, and not much gumption to do anything more. To me, this is a sign that something is coming. And it is time, when I realize this, to do something to counteract what I know to be a couple of the first signs that I am sliding down. To borrow a phrase from Barney Fife, I try to "Nip it in the bud".

There are a few things I like to do when I feel that something is not quite right with "ME". Some have already been discussed by other Hubbers. Alternative methods. Things like Aromatherapy, Music therapy. Candle therapy. Stuff like that. Don't poopoo these unique and effective ways of controlling your moods. They really do work. No kidding.

Think of it this way. We have several senses, all controled by our feeble little brains. Senses are some of the strongest emotional control zones we have in ourselves. A scent for instance can trigger memories, mood changes, and a whole range of reactions. For instance, around Christmas, Apple and Cinnamon can actually bring on a bit of the "Christmas Spirit", along with perhaps a pine scent. Why? Well simply, these are some of the smells of Christmas most of us can identify with. The sense of smell is a powerful one. Without it, food would all taste very much the same.

Another example is a very simple cure for headaches. Laying down for a few moments with a sachet of Lavender can ease the discomfort, and in many cases, erase the headache all together. (Also, an ice cube rubbed over the pulse points in the wrists and sides of the neck can help immensely as well.)

Some other scents are also useful. Jasmine, Mulberry, and Frankincense and Sandalwood are all usefull for calming a possible depression slide. (And they can also help if you are getting ready to launch into a Manic WhooHoo, too) These scents have a grounding effect. They are calming and uplifting as well. For those out there alergic to smoke, you need not use inscence sticks. These scents are available in liquid form and can be used with out lighting. They just need to be gently warmed for them to be activated. (And it makes your house smell purty!) Be creative. You can even mix some of these scents and just completely emmerse yourself in a very relaxing atmosphere of pleasurable aromas. Experiment with these scents, and try to find a combination that works for you.

Music also is a strong stimulus. I love Jazz for times that things are a bit rocky. (I love Blues too, but I don't listen to it when I feel a little down, for obvious reasons) Nor do I listen to Rock if I am feeling a bit macky. (My word for Manic) I probably shouldn't admit this, but if I do feel macky, I don't necessarily do anything to counter act it, unless I haven't slept for, oh.......a month or two.

I do have to say, one of the best ways to combat the blues is light. (For me anyway!) Open the curtains and let what little light there is, in. The more the better. Take a walk. The sun need not be strong to be beneficial. Fill the lungs with fresh air, (Sorry for those of you that can see the air you are breathing. Guess you have a reason to be depressed!) Now, for those of you familiar with depression, you know that this is easier said than done. The thing is, learning to recognize the signs of depression in yourself, and doing something about it before it gets to the point that you have formed a nest under your bed and have crawled into it for the duration.

Bipolar is a life long wonder bug that takes a great deal of time and effort in controlling if you choose to do it the natural way. Not something everyone can do, unless they are determined to live well and healthier than they have when they depended on commercial drugs. This life style is not for the unsure or timid and takes a great deal of commitment. More so than any other relationship you will ever be in with another individual. Even more of a commitment than children. This is a commitment to yourself, your life, and what you can get out of life. Does that, in itself, not make this the most important commitment you can make? Are you not worth the trouble? I think you are, and I think more folks out there can do this than realize it.

Yah Yah, Blah Blah Blah. Okay, I will lay off. Lets talk about something else. How about some Herbal junk. This stuff works too, if you learn a little about each Herb that is available. I just looked back at all the info here so far, and I reallly (Notice the extra "L" in really? I just wanted to see if you were paying attention) don't want to overwhelm you, so, I will just list a few for you to paruse at your leizure, and go deeper into it another time. (Besides, it gives me more Hubs for later!) Any way, here is a quick list of herbal supplements that are useful for Bipolars:

1. Bupleurum and dong quai.

2. Ginko biloba

3. Kava Kava

4. Oat Straw

5. St. John's Wart (Sorry, this sounds disgusting!)

6. Siberian Ginseng

7. Valerian Root. (If you use this one, generally for a sleep inducer, don't be shocked when you open the bottle. It is supposed to smell like a jar of dirty socks! Don't sniff it, just take them.)

Gee whiz, time has gotten away from me once again, and it is almost time to go make the donuts, so I suppose it is time to let you all absorb what little info you have gathered from todays ramblings!

Now, don't tell Jean Claude Van Damme he is Bipolar cause he will beat you up, and don't mention it to JC Penney cause it may make him close his store, and, well, Isaac Newton probably won't care, cause he's dead. All these fine folks were, and are, Bipolar. (As a matter of reference, Isaac Newton was probably okay till he got beaned on the head by that apple) Anyway, till next time, Happy Bipolaring!