Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Julie A. Fast talks about Catherine Zeta Jones and Bipolar Disorder Two

PS: There are two main forms of bipolar disorder. One type of bipolar disorder is bipolar I. This means the person has full blown mania (often with psychosis if the mania gets really bad.) The second kind of bipolar disroder is bipolar II. This means a person has hypo mania. If you click on the mania category to the right- there is a deeper explanation between bipolar one and bipolar two. Julie

What drugs interact with bipolar disorder medications? What about over the counter supplements?

All drugs can interact with bipolar disorder medications. Many times a health care professional will say that a certain medication will not affect bipolar disorder symptoms and this can be quite untrue. For example, steroid use such as cortisone is often given in small doses in very specific areas of the body. You may hear that the drug will stay in one spot and not affect moods, this is not the case. All medications go through organs including the brain and can affect moods. Check carefully before you take a small dose of anything.

Oh this is so true! I have had reactions to cortisone, valerian, amino acids, birth control pills and so many more! I had a reaction to homeopathic lithium!

There are MANY over the counter drugs, supplements, vitamins, minterals,etc that can interact with bipolar medications as well as affect brain chemistry seperately. I recently tried a new amino acid called NAC and [ Read More ]

Are you in the Catherine Zeta Jones Fan Club?

I am.

And always will be.

She has done more for bipolar disorder management in one day than all of the books written in the last year. She has put her gorgeous face on what is often seen as a crazy, out of control face. She has a family and a life. She shows it can be done. I want to learn more on what kind of bipolar II she has as it seems pretty darn well under control- but I am sure more will come out about that.

My note to her!

Thank you Catherine Zeta Jones. You have saved lives- you have made it ok to use the words bipolar disorder, By saying you have bipolar II (two), you will open a discussion [ Read More ]

Catherine Zeta-Jones Seeks Treatment for Bipolar 2 Disorder

I can’t believe it. I simply can’t believe it. An honest depiction of bipolar disorder in the media. No one is shooting anyone. No one is saying ‘crazy’ things, no one is being exploited.

With one simple, simple statement from a publicist, Catherine Zeta Jones has made it ok to have bipolar disorder. This may seem a bit like hyperbole, but I can tell you for sure it’s not. I work with clients all day who have children and partners with untreated bipolar disorder. In many cases they simply refuses to say the words! This is why what a simple statement about bipolar disorder from an honest actress can make the difference.

“After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check in to a mental health facility for [ Read More ]

DEPRESSION TAKETH! It Knocks on Your Door!

Yikes!!!

From 1995-1998, depression (especially depression with psychosis) took away everything that I loved – everything- my health, my relationships with friends and loved ones, my ability to work.

It still tries to do this today, but now it only gets a small section of my life instead of years. I hate depression so much that even a few hours of depression are too much for me now.

When I get depressed, I go into fight mode and I simply don’t stop working on it until the depression is gone. (I use the tips in my book ‘Get it Done When You’re Depressed’ daily.)

Depression doesn’t even get one minute of my life without a huge fight. At first it took months to get better, then weeks then days – now I can [ Read More ]

BP Magazine Blog: Why Can’t I Take Anti Depressants or ADHD Meds if I Have Bipolar Disorder?

I am a regular columinist and blogger for BP Magazine. (If you don’t alreade receive this publication, it’s amazing. Especially for family members and partners.)

My BP Magazine blog is normally separate from this blog, but the one this week is so imporant, I want to post it in two places.

Here is the first paragraph of the blog- you can then click over to the mag site to read the rest:

Why Can’t I Take Anti Depresants or ADHD Meds if I Have Bipolar Disorder?

The answer is that you can- in some very carefully monitored situations. One of the main problems I see in my coaching clients is where a child or partner has a manic episode due to [ Read More ]