From an increase in energy bills to rising food prices, the impact of the cost of living crisis has affected us all in some way or another. But on top of the direct financial impact, the cost of living crisis is having a number of knock-on effects, too – including on the mental wellbeing of the more than one million people living with bipolar disorder in the UK.

That’s according to research by the national charity Bipolar UK, which has revealed that nearly two-fifths (39%) of people living with bipolar in the UK report money worries as being a potential trigger for a relapse of symptoms, which range from depression to hypomania.

While money worries can take their toll on anyone’s mental health, overspending – one of the common symptoms associated with mania and hypomania (a milder form of mania that typically lasts for a shorter period of time) – can exacerbate these worries which, in turn, has the potential to trigger further symptoms.  

In fact, of the people with bipolar disorder who took part in Bipolar UK’s survey, just under half had some form of debt, with one in five reporting debt that was “out of control”.

Zoe Blood, 29, from London, struggles with overspending during hypomanic episodes – and says the cost of living crisis has added to the anxiety she feels about the debt she’s accrued as a result. After being diagnosed with bipolar type II (a type of the condition characterised by periods of depression and hypomania) in October 2020, Blood realised her struggles with money were fuelled by her mental health condition.

“When I look back at my life, I can recognise periods when I was experiencing what I now know was hypomania and would spend thousands and thousands of pounds without realising,” she tells Stylist. 

“When I’m in that state I can get really caught up in a hobby and spend lots of money on it without thinking, and as a result, I’m living with quite a bit of debt, which probably adds up to around £10,000. Now I’m on medication and know what I struggle with, I can manage my spending a bit better, but I’m still paying that off.” 

The pressure of this debt, as well as the need to take time off sick from work during periods of poor mental health, means Blood is feeling the pressure as prices rise – a source of stress which has the potential to trigger mood episodes as it builds up.

“The increase in costs adds to my anxiety because it gives me less of a buffer if I go into a hypomanic state and start spending lots of money, and those worries can become a trigger for my mood episodes,” she adds. “And then it becomes a cycle.”

With people with bipolar likely to earn substantially less than average – the most common level of income reported in Bipolar UK’s ‘economic impact of bipolar’ survey was between £10,000 and £20,000 per year, compared to the average UK income of £33,000 in 2022 – it’s clear that more awareness and support is needed to protect those who are struggling. 

This is why Bipolar UK has partnered with the free debt advice service PayPlan to set up a bespoke platform for people living with bipolar to access support to manage their finances and deal with the cost of living. The charity also provides other free resources for people living with bipolar, including a call-back and email peer support line.

“In a recent survey, 50% of people with a diagnosis of bipolar told us they had relapsed at least once, and avoiding triggers, as well as managing any symptoms quickly, is a key part of the self-management of bipolar,” explains Bipolar UK CEO Simon Kitchen.

“Stress can be a trigger, which is why getting on top of finances and minimising money worries is so important. We want people to know they aren’t alone in all areas of managing the condition, including financial planning, and our resources can help you do this.” 

Kitchen continues: “It is worth mentioning though that there is no shame in relapsing. It isn’t a sign of failure. You can be doing everything right and following the right treatment pathway and still relapse. This is especially relevant when living costs are so high and pressure on individuals is at an all-time high.”

By talking about the disproportionate impact the cost of living crisis is having on people living with bipolar, Blood hopes there will be less judgment of those who are struggling.

“There’s a lot of judgment around not being able to control your money as an adult – people think, ‘We’re not in university anymore,’” she says. “But I wish people would understand that people with bipolar aren’t always in control, even though it might seem like we are on a daily basis. Because we’re really good at masking how we’re feeling.

“And sometimes spending a lot of money or getting carried away with something is actually a symptom of an illness – it’s not just being frivolous, and it’s not a sign that people have lots of money. You don’t always know what’s going on behind the scenes.” 

For more information on living well with bipolar, and to access additional support, you can visit the Bipolar UK website.

Frame Of Mind is Stylist’s home for all things mental health and the mind. From expert advice on the small changes you can make to improve your wellbeing to first-person essays and features on topics ranging from autism to antidepressants, we’ll be exploring mental health in all its forms. You can check out the series home page to get started.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can find support and resources on the mental health charity Mind’s website and NHS Every Mind Matters or access the NHS’ list of mental health helplines and services.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you can also ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer.

For confidential support, you can also call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In a crisis, call 999.

Images: Getty