2008 September « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

I missed a dose of my Lamictal… again!

I can’t believe that this keeps happening to me. I have my medications box and I know to take my meds – I take Lamictal- every morning and every night. And yet I sometimes forgot. My mom says I need a checklist right next to the sink or something like that. Lamictal, lamictal bipolar, Lamictal generic, side effects Lamictal, rash Lamictal, Lamictal mania, does Lamictal help bipolar disorder [ Read More ]

Keep trying to find the right bipolar disorder medication…..

How Many Medications Should I Try?

This is a difficult question for many health care professionals as well as people with the illness. It’s known that the first bipolar disorder medications tried are not always successful and that a trial and error process is usually indicated. Some people try medications for a year or more until they find something that works for them. Considering medication side effects and the impact on the body when stopping or changing medications, it’s important that you work with your health care professional closely when you’re asked to try a new medication.

I suggest that people keep trying to find the right medications. I use the Health Cards every day as I always say and I used them without medications for many years. It took me about 50% of my time to manage the illness. I’ve always said that managing this illness was a part time job. It was so [ Read More ]

Football Players and Trouble: ‘I’d never put myself in that position.’

I heard a person say this at a restaurant the other day. “I’d never put myself in the position.”

What a concept!

If we don’t put ourselves in certain situations, then we can’t have the bad outcomes that often come with the location/person we chose to be with/or dodgy situation /etc.

I listen to sports radio and NPR all day. One big topic on sports radio is the number of football players that get: shot or shoot someone, robbed, beaten up or beat up someone and stopped by the cops for reckless/drunk driving. Interestingly, there is a statistic that the sports radio commentators keep bringing up. Trouble happens between the hours of 1-5AM. And that is when almost all of the football player trouble happens.

They put themselves into the position of getting in trouble. They choose situations that huge, rich professional ball players should simply avoid.

How does this relate [ Read More ]

WEB MD article on childhood onset bipolar disorder pt one

The following is a copy of an excellent WEB MD article on bipolar disorder diagnosis in children.When people ask me about childhood onset bipolar disorder, I always have the same answer: I believe that what we call bipolar disorder in children is VERY different than what we consider bipolar disorder in adults.

One of the main differences is the level of anger, irritation, tolerance levels and duration of screaming, crying, and out of control mood swings. Another very imporant distinction is the ADHD behavior of these kids. They have more of the hyperactivity part of the ADHD than adults who are usually diagnosed with ADD.My heart goes out to these kids as I know they have a lot of troubling symptoms, but like many people in this industry- I question these bipolar disorder diagnoses.

This is a looonnnggg article- which is why I’ve put it in two posts, but the information is extremely helpful. It’s [ Read More ]

WEB MD article on childhood onset bipolar disorder pt two

Here is the continuation of the excellent WebMD article on childhood onset bipolar disorder. …

Definition of Childhood Bipolar Disorder Controversial

What, exactly, is childhood bipolar disorder? It’s controversial. Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression because it is characterized by bouts of depression and bouts of mania.

Mania in adults is characterized by euphoria, grandiosity, irritability, racing thoughts, and frenetic activity. While some experts argue that childhood mania must also exhibit signs of euphoria and grandiose behavior, others say irritability may be the only sign.

“In children, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are very different from the symptoms in adults,” Julio Licinio, MD, chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University of Miami, tells WebMD.

In January 2007, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) set out a “practice parameter” acknowledging the controversy. The AACAP’s expert panel noted that for both children and adults, doctors are much more often diagnosing [ Read More ]

DBSA Conference in Virginia

I’m getting ready to speak at the DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Aliance) conference in Virginia next week. Some of you have written and asked about the weather- It should not be a problem.

As of today- my talk is one week away. I have to start thinking of my health now. This means planning ahead- well… I could do a better job of this so I really am starting NOW to get things in order. I will then start the sleep regimine I use when I change time zones! It’s three hours ahead so I will go to sleep earlier and earlier until I am exactly on Virginia time when I get there. I will do the same on the way back. It works! Do you have to travel in different time zones soon? You can read more about my travel tips in the travel section on the right menu.

I’m excited that I [ Read More ]