From Chaos to Calm : Bipolar & Holiday Triggers

In this episode of 'this is bipolar', Shaley and Andrea unpack the unique challenges of traveling and navigating the holiday season living with bipolar disorder.

They explore common triggers—from disrupted routines and sensory overwhelm to family dynamics, cultural expectations, and financial pressure—while offering practical strategies for staying regulated on the road and during gatherings. With honest personal stories and compassionate insight, they share realistic tools for setting boundaries, protecting sleep, planning ahead, and recovering when things don’t go as expected.

This conversation is here to support you through any holiday—Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, or any season that brings both joy and extra emotional weight.

Timestamps

(00:00:00) – Travel + Holidays: A Bipolar Pressure-Cooker Why this season can be uniquely destabilizing for people with bipolar disorder.

(00:03:45) – Identifying Your Holiday Triggers Crowds, disrupted routines, emotional memories, cultural expectations.

07:10 – The Time-Pressure + Perfectionism Spiral How holiday “performance mode” can contribute to mood shifts.

(00:11:30) – Travel Routines That Keep You Regulated Sleep protection, medication planning, overstimulation prevention.

(00:16:20) – Sensory Overwhelm & Social Burnout Practical ways to ground yourself during busy gatherings.

(00:20:40) – Boundary Scripts That Actually Work Simple phrases for saying no, leaving early, or protecting downtime.

(00:24:55) – Spending + Gifting Triggers Navigating money impulsivity and emotional spending during the holidays.

(00:28:10) – Food, Alcohol, and Cultural Holiday Norms Staying centered in environments that can escalate symptoms.

(00:31:40) – Using Your Support System Before You Need It Check-ins, accountability partners, partner communication.

(00:34:20) – When a Holiday Trip Goes Sideways How to reset expectations and recover emotionally.

(00:)37:50 – Personal Stories What past holiday experiences taught us and how we handle things now.

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Thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ star review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most.

Much love, Shaley xo

More about your Host:

Shaley Hoogendoorn is a speaker, content creator and currently hosts the popular “this is bipolar” vlog and podcast. She lives with bipolar 2 disorder and shares her story and the stories of others to dismantle the stigma around mental illness.

Shaley is passionate about educating and empowering others about bipolar disorder. She has contributed to publications for Sanctuary Ministries, Psych Central and BP Hope magazine. She hosted a series interviewing women living with mental illnesses at SheLoves Magazine in a series named "Sisters in Mental Illness."

Shaley’s greatest hope is that creating safe spaces to connect will give hope and comfort those that struggle.

Meet our Guest Co-Host:

Dr. Andrea Vassilev holds a doctorate in psychology, is a therapist in California, and has lived with bipolar disorder for over 25 years. Andrea is the creator of the program Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. As a clinician and academic with lived experience, Andrea brings a special perspective to both her professional and advocacy work. Andrea hopes that by telling her own story of life with bipolar disorder through the lenses of clinical causes, treatments, and outcomes that she can provide education, hope, and comfort to others. You can connect with her on Instagram @best.life.bipolar or at www.andreavassilev.com. Be sure to pre-order Dr. Andrea's book - releases July 1st 2026

Beyond the Bipolar Label: A Workbook to Overcome Self-Stigma, Break Free from Shame and Live Authentically