I’m thinking about money a lot these days. Or, I should say I’m worrying a lot about money these days! It’s always been easy for many of us to remain separate from governement mistakes- I could go on forever about this.

I’m writing to remind myself and the thousands who read this blog that things can and will get better. We have been through crises before .. what matters is that we stay stable. I’ve had letters from people who are concerned about their disability and how expensive things are. I have friends who have lost a lot of money in the stock market!

I can’t do anything about this. What I can do is take care of myself. I have to support myself as you probably do as well. I’m not going to sit back and watch my money dwindle. I’m going to work as much as I can on new projects and tough this out!

I have a friend who manages a car dealership- one that sells a lot of SUV’s! Wow, that is a tough job right now.

It’s tough for eveyone, but hang in there. I’m thinking of you! Treat bipolar disorder first is my motto. Plenty of sleep. Beward of manic spending, stay close to the people who support you and watch out for that caffeine! Just a few suggestions.

Julie

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True or false?

 It’s estimated that 4-6 % of the US population has bipolar disorder.

 Hmm.

Hmm.

Hmmm.

 It’s true! Old statistics basically used Bipolar I as a criterion for the 1-2% estimate of people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is now seen as a spectrum all the way from cyclothymia (a mild form of bipolar disorder), to bipolar II (bipolar disorder with hypomania) and finally Bipolar I- with full blown mania.

 I’ve always known that the 1-2% numbers were way too low just from my own experiences. Everywhere I go, someone knows someone with bipolar disorder. 

Now you know why the numbers are so different depending on what you read. I think that the more realistic 4-6 % will be used a lot more in the future.

Julie

It’s Sunday and I woke up slightly down with a lot of email to answer!  I’m going to watch football for most of the day so that I can do all of my email. I’m a big believer that we have to continually search for a work environment that works for us individually.  You may think that watching football and working is crazy, but I’m the type that needs a lot of noise and distraction if I’m not doing well- ie, I like to work in a lively environment when I’m depressed. I hear a lot of chatter in my head and the football just makes it easier for me to concentrate.  I work at the library with my headphones if I have to do serious writing.  Getting there is a problem though. It’s just a brain struggle sometimes.  Where do you get the most work done?  julie   

I woke up depressed. It’s a bummer as I was on a pretty good streak. Eight days without depression. Well, that’s a pretty good length of stability.I’m so used to mood swings, that I actually do get excited and thankful for the stable days I can string together.  It’s a bummer though.

I was talking with my dear radio co-host Avi yesterday. He was depressed for many, many years and then after a lot of work, meds and therapy he got a lot better. He was depressed a few days ago and said, “It’s always so shocking when it comes back.”

It’s true. When I woke up this morning and it was here, I just thought.. oh crap.. here is is again.  Time to use the program. So, I’m at my computer and I’m going to work on my new book- because if I don’t, it will only exacerbate the depressed.

 Today is going to be a good day. Waking up depressed simply doesn’t mean I have to stay depressed!

If you haven’t heard my awesome radio shows, click on the radio tab to your right.  You can hear Avi’s beautiful voice and hear more about his story.

Julie

Did you know that there is Serotonin in our stomachs? It has the second highest concentration of the neurotransmitter after our brains.

 This is why SSRI drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and many others can cause stomach problems. As my coauthor Dr. John Preston says, “There’s no way to harpoon a drug straight to the neurotransmitters in your brain. They have to go through the whole body which is why they cause so many side effects.”

I remember being so sick I couldn’t work. I was always in the bathroom. That may be more than you want to know about me! but it’s important to know that you’re not alone if drugs are making your stomach rumble.

Side effects can include nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloated stomach, acid reflux, etc. etc.

Lovely!

Here are some tips on keeping your stomach happy:

1. First of all, talk with your doctor if things are really bad. It’s better to get help and possibly change doses or drugs than to just quit because of the side effects.

2. Drink organic apple cider vinegar in water. This can REALLY help, especially if you have acid reflux. Make sure it’s organic and slighly cloudy. You don’t want the cheap stuff! You really can get used to the taste. Put two tablespoons in a large glass of water and drink it throughout the day. I can now practically drink it straight!

3. Drink keifer or eat plan yogurt. This calms the stomach so much!

4. Try yoga. The gentle stomach poses can help move around stomach juices and get things flowing- in the right way.

5.  Change the times you take your meds. Maybe you can spread them out or take them at night. Talk with your doctor.

There are many things you can do to help mild to medium stomach side effects. Sometimes, just waiting it out can help. If your side effects are severe, don’t just go off your meds as you can have a whole lot more trouble than your stomach! Get help and get the right meds! Your doctor, naturopath or nurse practitioner can really help with this.

 Julie

I often get sent books for review. I don’t read the treatment books as I want to keep my ideas fresh, but I do enjoy reading success stories! I recently received a short and sweet book called You, Me and Apollo by J.D. Stottlemire. It’s a really hopeful and informative book. Here’s my review:

“People with bipolar disorder and their family members are often in a crisis when they read a book on bipolar disorder. It’s hard for authors to find the right balance between the truth of the illness and the reality of how hard it is to treat. You, Me and Apollo finds this balance. I, as a person with chronic bipolar disorder felt better after reading this book. It’s fun to read, concise and very hopeful. I especially like how the author tied in the space program to his story. 

The book is a great accompaniment to the more treatment oriented books on the market- as instead of being a story of how horrible the illness can be, it’s a story of how all of us with bipolar disorder and the people who care about us can find our place in the world.”

Here is J.D’s web page: http://www.youmeandapollo.com/apollo.html

Julie Fast

Well, to people without bipolar this may seem funny, but I’m VERY excited that I’ve had a week of stability. No mania and not much depression. I know it’s not mania as I just feel like relaxing and enjoying life instead of being on the go all of the time. When I’m manic or depressed I have this inner drive to get things done- which is why depression is so hard on me. Sitting is destructive. Doing things so quickly that I hurt myself is destructive as well. I’m glad to be in the middle.

I did my first teleseminar last night. It went well. I’ve learned to do something to my absolute best ability and then to let it go. This is a hard thing to do when you’re often depressed. I’ve worked on it for years and it’s getting better.

How is your stability? Many of my friends stay stable for years and years, so that is my goal. It is going to happen for me one day! I don’t give up hope because these short periods of euthymia- times without mood swings- let me see what life can be like when I just stick to my plan.

There is hope.

Julie

I’ve struggled with my weight since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995. I certainly had weight issues before that, but there were small time compared to what I’ve been through in the past 10 years.

Statistics show that those of us with severe mental illnesses die a LOT earlier than those without an illness. When I heard this, I said, ok. That’s not going to be me! I’ve written about this on the blog before. I have found that a low carb diet is working well for me in terms of my sugar cravings and my up and down weight.  I’ve lost a lot of the weight I gained last year after taking Serequel.

Here is a book that can give you more information on this way of eating. It’s not really a diet as it’s life long.
The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet: The Lifelong Solution to Yo-Yo Dieting

Definitely leave your comments on what works for you!

My goal is to be at my gorgeous, healthy weight by this time next year. I can’t keep going up and down every six months. It’s not healthy and it’s not fun! I will keep you posted on my progress.

Julie
 

My teleseminar for parents of children with bipolar disorder is tomorrow- Tuesday, September 30th. I’m excited. Writing is so solitary-  and speaking , which I truly love- only reaches a limited number of people. Teleseminars are so different.  My cohost Emanuel and I will give some great information and tips for parents and then take listener emails for the second half of the program.

If your child was recently diagnosed or still struggles after a diagnosis, then this teleseminar is for you.  Here is a link to read more about the event.

www.juliefast.com/teleseminars.php

 All participants will receive an MP3 of the program to share with family and friends.

I hope you can join me. If not, the MP3 will be available to the general public a week after the event.

I have dealt with bipolar disorder since the age of 17- which means my mother and father dealt with it as well. I wish we had known more- but wow, what a change these days. We all have so much more access to information and can prevent so many communication problems. I’m glad I can help parents! Julie

I spoke at the NAMI Oregon Conference yesterday. The day went really well and I met some wonderful people. I even managed to get to sleep normally last night.

Then I woke up with a lot of worries. I know what this means. I have too much to do. It’s not that I don’t have the time to do it. It’s never a time issue with me. My problem is that I have a bipolar wall that I smack up against if I don’t take care of myself. This means that I have to take care of things today so that I can function  next week.

Many people feel stress about having a lot to do. This is different. I can’t even call it worry. It’s the feeling so many of us get that prevents us from working at regular jobs- ie. 9-5 jobs. It’s like a wave of … I’m honestly not even sure what to call it. The bipolar wave doesn’t have one name. It’s a wave of fear, worry, stress, unreasonable doubt and physical nervous pain. It’s the feeling- that’s often real- that you simply can’t keep doing what you’ve been doing.

It’s a few hours later now, so I know it’s not as bad as it seemed this morning- but I still have to listen. I’ve had this feeling during projects that weren’t going well.

If I want to have a career in speaking- and I certainly do, then I have to modify my life even more. That is something I’m willing to do.

julie