2008 October « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

We Dont Feel Motivation- We Create Motivation

I just did an interview with a writer from Self Magazine on the topic of the January blues. She asked some excellent questions- and one of my ideas that she really liked was the concept that we can’t WAIT to want to do something- we have to just do something. That’s my first strategy in Get it Done When You’re Depressed. Depression never wants to do anything! I can sit until I’m frozen solid before I’ll want to get out and get on with my life if I’m depressed.

I think- where’s my motivation? Well, depression is eating it like candy! I want to be motivated, so I create it using the stuff I talk about in my books:

Set up a time to work with a friend- tomorrow I will meet my friend Karen to work together from 1-4PM. I will work on my book that’s due and she is going to [ Read More ]

Hmmm… a lack of words

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know that having nothing to say is a rarity for me. I write to feel better- so not having something to write today is a great, great thing! I’m off to watch the debate with friends. I went to the coast of Washington last night to give a speech for a great NAMI group. I had a truly wonderful time. I got home and am not depressed- and maybe this time I WILL stay stable for the rest of the week.

I am getting better. It’s finally happening. I want to offer hope if you’re reading this at a tough time. It has taken me a long time just to get to a place where I am focusing on my day and not on what my mind is saying. I once did this for 33 days in a row and I want to get [ Read More ]

Reader Question: Lamictal doses

Hi Julie,

You’ve mentioned taking Lamictal at 500mg a day a couple of times in your blog. Recently my psychiatrist has increase my dosage of Lamictal from 200mg to 300 mg and lately 400mg.The depression and anxiety are still taking a toll. I was wondering what type of relief you get from your dosage of Lamictal.

Does it take away the depression and anxiety or does it just keep it at a manageable level? I’ve been on the 400mg for a week now and the depression and anxiety are worse than ever. I’m facing going out on disability for awhile and I’m hoping its only going to be a couple weeks until we can get this under control with the [ Read More ]

Back from a Speech- and I’m stable!

I had a great time last night- I went to Eugene, Oregon for a talk sponsored by NAMI Lane County. I just can’t say enough about how great everyone was and what a pleasure it was to meet so many people.

Here is why I was able to travel and speak without getting sick like I used to:

– I was home early the night before and I went to sleep early.

– I actually had a books ready ahead of time. I don’t like merchandising- few speakers do!- but selling my books is essential when I speak.

– The event was completely planned by NAMI Lane County. I can plan or I can speak. I can’t do both. To be honest, I don’t do very well when it comes to planning, but I can always speak if an event is well structured.

I can go on and on here, but my [ Read More ]

the song that keeps on giving…

I’ve had a song in my head for over 24 hours. I can hear it now as I type. It’s definitely a stress thing. I happen to like the song, it’s by Crowded House, but this is ridiculous. I heard it all night and will probably hear it all day. I don’t need the radio!

I’ve always said that the bipolar brain has it’s own tape recorder. We can hear something and our brain will loop it for way too long. It’s always a sign I’m doing too much, worrying too much, eating poorly, etc etc.

I’m giving a speech tonight. I feel great about the speech, but don’t like the prep. That is probably why I’m hearing the song as I type. This is such an odd illness. I don’t think people with quiet brains have any idea what it’s like to have a brain that is so noisy.

Julie

Get Up, Get Out, Get it Done

I have an column due for BP Magazine today. All I have to do is edit it and yet you’d think I had 20 hours of work left to do. I put it off all day yesterday. I wrote my editor and said I would have it in today just to make sure I had a deadline I couldn’t miss. I woke up worried about getting it done. What is my point! It would have taken me maybe two hours to polish the article. It’s already written and looks good. It just needs a darn final edit! I’ve probably worried about it for triple the time it would have taken to do the final work.

Why do we do this! I wrote Get it Done When You’re Depressed to keep myself focused and productive! So, I’m doing the edit now and will have the column in on time!

I love BP Magazine. If you don’t [ Read More ]