Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Well, as you probably know, an author lives for book reviews! If you have read my books Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and Get it Done When You’re Depressed, I’d love it if you would post a review of the books on amazon.com.

When you are there, please feel free to check the section that says Tags Customers Associate with This Product. This helps when people go to amazon.com to search for books on mood disorders in general. It helps me a lot if everyone does this section whether they write a review or not.

Of course, be totally honest when you write. I don’t read the reviews – but they are so important for people deciding what books to buy.

Your support is so appreciated! Here are the links to each book:

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner

http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Someone-Bipolar-Disorder-Julie/dp/1572243422/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222400708&sr=8-1

wow, that is [ Read More ]

I’ve been up and down lately and amazingly, more up than down! I could say HALLAJUILIULA (really, where does our spelling come from!) or I could do what I’m doing. I’m getting home early and watching Dancing with the Stars. I’m avoiding stimulating situations such as karaoke or dinner parties. I’m aware that I’m on the cusp of not sleeping. I’m using my Ativan instead of trying to force myself to sleep. There is a lot I can do now before it goes so far.

Here are my subtle signs of mania: I’d be interested to know yours.

#1. Cooking. I cook a lot more when I’m manic and I often make pretty complex dishes. Today I made chicken Marsala. I then tend to cook a lot of dishes to go with it, but I stopped myself today.

#2. I chop too quickly and tend to fling knives and cutting boards around when I’m washing [ Read More ]

Insurance can really be difficult for many of us with bipolar disorder. Some states have parity laws- which means those of us with a mental illness have to have access to insurance. Other states have not passed this law. I’m lucky that Oregon has this program. I buy insurance from the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool. After I was turned down by EVERYONE because I have bipolar disorder, I was eligible for this program. And here is what’s funny. I RARELY go to the doctor for bipolar disorder. I treat myself and see my doctor for a meds checkup. But I do have to admit that I have more physical problems than most due to this illness.

My insurance is $375 a month. Very expensive. But it’s good insurance.

Does your state have parity? You can check with your NAMI or DSBA branches. Visit www.nami.org and http://www.dbsalliance.org

Oregon also has state insurance- but they [ Read More ]