My wonderful roommates moved out at the same time. I am sad to see them go, though the moves were good ideas on their part- one moved in with his girlfriend and the other went to New Orleans to build low income houses. But at the same time? In this economy! I have had some worried thoughts about that. Not because I can’t rent the room- I can. It’s the steps of getting the new roommate. There is a lot to do that has to be done on time. Thank heavens I am doing better today- but I find myself sitting because I’m not sure where to start. I am such an ADD baby!
I just have to get up and get started. Nothing gets done from a chair. Nothing gets done when I don’t have a plan. I called my mom. She is [ Read More ]
I just received the following email from Jan regarding her 15 year old daughter. I have included my reply in this blog:
Julie, I don’t know how to reach you other than through this blog, but I have a 15 year old daughter, diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 year ago, who also has sleep problems, not the least of which is affecting her ability to function in life, period. She is in a therapeutic school but we have been told as of yesterday that they can no longer manage her and we must make other arrangements. We are desperate for info about programs for adolescents with bipolar disorder and are wondering if you can give us any suggestions or direct us toward people who can help??? Thank you.
Hi Jan,
I suggest you visit the following website- it has information on the Parry Center inpatient psych treatment program here in Portland, Oregon. They may have [ Read More ]
It’s a great night when I can get to sleep without sleep meds. I go through long periods when I’m fine and then I have nights where I simply won’t sleep unless I take my Ativan. It’s not that I don’t want to sleep- and it’s not that I’m manic. I just won’t sleep. I just lie there. Then I start the brain tug of war:
Brain #1 Julie, you really should be able to just go to sleep on your own. Other people don’t need meds to sleep. You will be too tired in the morning if you take the Ativan. Just keep trying to get to sleep on your own! Just put on some calm music. Smell some lavender!
Brain #2 Julie, this is not a joke. You have bipolar disorder and that means you have sleep problems. TAKE YOUR MEDS! It’s not like you’re drinking wine or smoking pot to sleep. These [ Read More ]
I recently wrote a book called The Geezer’s Guide to Creating and Selling Ebooks. It was a tough book to write, but I’m proud of it!
A friend of mine read the book and said she loved it- and that she found a typo in the section called Research Your Idea for Competition. Here is the typo she found:
“Hopefully you will be surprised at your lack of completion…”
I think you mean “lack of competition” here (though I can totally relate to the way it’s currently written:)
**
That is pretty funny! I am much more worried about completion than competition. We can all deal with competition- what we can’t deal with is a lack of COMPLETION. My goal is to finish what I start- even when it takes me twenty years and there is a lot of competition!
Julie
PS: I always knew I wanted to write books- I finished my first one [ Read More ]
The super bowl is today and I am excited! For those of you outside of the states- it’s our World Cup! I have watched the entire season and learned so much from the coaches and players- the words they use are so important: discipline, practice, confidence, durability, friendship… I could go on forever here. I see this as the same qualities we need to manage this illness.
When I have trouble focusing, I’ve learned to ask others to make decisions for me. I’ve trained the people in my life to just go ahead with what they want to do and I will follow along. What do you want for dinner? I don’t care- you choose. What movie do you want to see? Let me know some choices and I’ll give you my choices. I let others drive, plan parties and do what they want- on the days that I’m having trouble making decisions.
On the days that I’m fine, I make my own decisions- but when the depression and ADHD are here, I say- I don’t care what I do- just help me do something!
It works. I’m also a much more relaxed person around my friends and they appreciate that.
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Mom Brain Podcast
Listen to Julie’s latest interview on bipolar disorder and mental health in children, teens and adults on the Mom Brain Podcast with Hilaria Baldwin and Daphne Oz.
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