Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

What Does Full Blown Hypersexual Mania Feel Like? (And why do you want to avoid it?)

by Julie A. Fast

***WARNING** I’m showing a graphic video here that is sexual in nature to make a point about hyper sexual mania. Please think before you click if you’re not into this kind of music.

It’s never easy to find a visual representation of what mania feels like. It’s often so out of control and so internal, that an outward expression is usually too tame to show what happens.

I love the song Turn Down for What by DJ Snake and Lil John. It has a good beat. I give it a 9 out of ten. HA!

Dance music (EDM) is the music that comes the closest to describing what I hear in my head and feel in my body when I’m really euphoric. The video below actually shows it. Hyper sexuality ruins so many relationships. I do see the humor in this video and don’t feel they are trying to depict [ Read More ]

Ask Julie A. Fast: How do I tell someone I have bipolar disorder?

A great question about talking openly about #bipolar a reader on my Julie A. FAst Facebook page: Julie, I know you mention a lot to share this with family and friends Julie A. so that they can be more supportive…and I have. But I have to say for myself that I usually regret it. I find that who ever I am telling either finds it too heavy or later they will use it against me somehow and then that compounds the emotional roller coaster that I may already be on. What am I doing wrong? First off, you are assuming you are doing something wrong. That means you tend to turn on yourself when others disappoint you. I am exactly the same. Work on that part [ Read More ]

Bipolar and Strong

What is it like to have chronic bipolar disorder? Imagine having days where you struggle every minute. Not just a few times a day, but all day, minute by minute.

Imagine sitting down to work and crying before you even open your computer and you don’t know why! Nothing has happened!

Imagine wanting to be in a relationship, but the obsessions you have the minute someone talks to you are so uncomfortable, you are much happier staying single.

Imagine looking in the mirror and seeing your SELF, but knowing that you are not the only person in control. Instead, there is a puppet master called bipolar who will control what you do unless you are unbelievably self aware and abnormally strong.

This is life with chronic bipolar. I live it every day and have [ Read More ]

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is an illness that appears very, very confusing when you have just been diagnosed or if someone you love has a possible or official diagnosis.

Here is some great news. The illness is NOT difficult to understand once you know the basics.

The following is an excerpt from my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability.

I’ve written books on the topic of bipolar disorder for over ten years since my partner of 10 years was diagnosed in 1994 and I was diagnosed in 1995.

Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder is the book I recommend for learning the basics of the illness, especially if [ Read More ]

Do you Suffer from Bipolar Distortion?

There is a band called Social Distortion. There is distortion in engineering and music, photography and video. And then there is #bipolar distortion? Do you suffer from bipolar distortion? I do! I have a bad case of this nasty condition. 1. I truly believe that no one loves me when I’m depressed. 2. I feel left out and pushed aside in life when I am depressed. 3. I hear things differently- the words I hear are actually distorted by my brain. “I’m busy this week Julie.” turns into, “I no longer find you interesting as a person.” WTF! WTH! Really! 4. I believe that I’m a bad person and no one wants to be with me, so what is the point of trying to be a good [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

A few words on bipolar disorder and addictive behaviors. It’s normal for people with mood disorders to turn to another substance to feel better. Our illness sucks. The problem is that we only have so much brain space and addictive behaviors take up a large part of life that we need in order to manage our illness.

For example, my addiction is sugar. When it is not controlled, I will choose eating sugar over seeing people. I isolate and use food to feel better. I know this. I know it is not the smartest choice and yet it is always a challenge.

Addiction is helped by replacing the behavior with something that feels better. I have to focus on what feels better than ice-cream. Ice cream is the heroin of the [ Read More ]