Weddingitis

Weddingitis is an inflammation or irritation of the brain due to an upcoming wedding.

Symptoms of weddingitis may include:

• Repeated list making and reviewing of lists (examples: guests lists, email lists, RSVP lists, shower lists, thank you lists, phone lists, vendor lists, TO DO lists)
• Inability to concentrate on anything non-wedding related
• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or resting soundly
• Obsessive dreams concerning cake delivery, DJs, and dress alterations
• Glazed eyes
• Absent mindedness (example: leaving your shoes at work.)
• Excessive doubt and the need for constant reassurance
• A distorted frame of reference (example: calling your fiancé in the middle of a meeting because you don’t know who will walk the dog on the wedding day.)
• A distorted sense of proportion (example: a car battery dying is felt to be akin to the end of the world)
• Outlandish requests (example: making bridesmaids wear, and buy, an expensive piece of jewelry)
  
• Erratic and dramatic mood swings

The worst cases of weddingitis may last up to two years, but even those tend to be most acute just in the days leading up to a wedding. Sudden announcements of an engagement have been known to cause minor flare-ups as well.

Generally those most susceptible to weddingitis are brides and their mothers. However, grooms, members of the wedding party, and even random guests have been known to suffer from weddingitis.

How is weddingitis treated? A getaway known as a “honeymoon vacation” can be greatly ameliorative and when the inflammation is at its worst (3-5 days prior to the wedding), patients are advised to time off work. In severe cases, weddingitis can significantly disrupt work and relationships with friends, family, or even one’s betrothed. It can also lead to unhealthy decisions such as beer, chips & ice cream for lunch. Typically weddingitis will subside naturally, but occasionally intervention may be warranted. Weddingitis should be taken seriously and those suffering from it should be treated with caution and care.