During the time that I have been working with Julie, Ive seen the challenges faced by someone with Bipolar disorder. I’ve witnessed the day when it was difficult for her to sit still and even focus because her thoughts were bouncing everywhere. It was hard for me to know how to help her get refocused. She is teaching me what I can do to help. I’ve also been a part of a morning that was a “girl to girl” chat just to clear the thoughts so that a work focus could be resumed and maintained.
There is so much that can be learned from working with someone who has bipolar illness. The discipline of taking care of yourself and planning in detail what you intend to do have been a good addition to my daily routine. There is also a time to be flexible and work back around to the needed focus. I’ve also learned to watch my thoughts and not to let the obsession run away from me. I’ve watched this happen with Julie and watched her reel it in. She is truly fantastic in managing an illness that can have such devastating consequences if not managed. I am looking forward to a wonderful month of December, filled with holiday cheer and I owe so much of it to the work I am now doing with Julie.
Cheers! Sheri Joi
Awww – I’m glad Julie has such a nice helper. She deserves it. My man and I used her health cards just this morning.
Sharon, Thank you so much for your kind words. We would love to know more about how the health cards have helped you in your relationship, especially the experience you recently had. It is so important to know that you are not alone. Today is a tough morning for Julie and we are working through it, using the management skills she teaches and the training her books have given to me to help her push through this difficulty. -Sheri Joi
Well, I was depressed/aggitated (possibly mixed)and pushing my boyfriend away – calling off the relationship for the umpteenth time. We got out the depression cards and saw that my symptoms were typical: I focus on what you do wrong, negative talk, give away (or throw away) things, untalkative, no hope for the future, overly sensitive, excessive sleep, don’t want to live, guilt, partner is more stressful/can’t love partner fully. Then looked at stuff he could do such as reminding me to take my meds – I just stop taking them because I give up on life; don’t ask me what you can do, just say “We are going to…”; don’t give up on me, get me outside and the one that I really like is “Understand that when I am sick, I do not feel love from anyone and can not give love to anyone.” Thank you Julie for putting that in words for me so he could see that. I don’t mean to be that way. It’s nice to be able to have the cards to do the work when you can’t think for yourself.