Here in the states, a man named Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at a super market where a politician U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was giving a speech. She was definitely his target. There is a lot of coverage on the news here about his behavior as well as when he was in high school and once he graduated people were very concerned about his behavior. The first article I read mentioned his background and how he had left a note for the senator saying what he was going to do.
Then the article said every single thing except what was glaringly obvious. Jared Laughtner had a severe mental illness that impaired his judgement and led to this terrible event. As I was reading the articles, [ Read More ]
It’s really, really tough to have bipolar depression. When I get down and feel that I will never get better, I constantly remind myself of the following:
1. Depression is a symptom of bipolar disorder. There is no way that life is as awful as depression makes it seem. 2. The more I know about how I am when I’m not depressed, the more I can recognize depression for what it is. 3. It’s never a good idea to make big changes when you’re depressed. It’s ok to think about them and write them down, but it’s so important to wait until you’re better to change your life. (My book Bipolar Happens! talks about this. I used to just pick up and move when the mood swings were raging!) 4. Depression tells you that no one loves you. If this feeling only comes up when you’re depressed, it’s not real. Don’t act on it. Wait [ Read More ]
I’m 47 years old today. I have to admit I’m not much of a birthday fan. I find them stressful as I have a party and always think no one will show up. Is that bipolar or what!!! Of course, people do show up and we have fun. I just do happy hour and then karaoke. Turning 47 is hard. It says to me- one more year gone by of depression Julie! One more year of rapid cycling! One more year! And then I say to myself, “What @#$@#$ Julie. That is ridiculous. Depression wants you to focus on age. Life wants you to focus on friends, self improvement, bipolar mangements, work and life in general. How good are you as a person Julie? Do you hurt people? Do you let your bipolar wreck your relationships like you used to? No, no, no! So what if I’m 47. It’s great I have made it this [ Read More ]
I write a column for BP Magazine (Bipolar Magazine). I love this work and love the magazine. If you don’t have a subscription, it’s so worth it for those with bipolar, family members, partners and health care professionals. And of course you can read my column!
BP Magazine has a sister magazine that focuses on Depression. It also is a superb magazine that talks with many high profile people about depression and how it affects their lives as well as those who face depression daily while not in the spotlight. Esperanza is asking for your ideas on how you deal with depression in the workplace. All of us with bipolar illness have plenty of depression, so I know that your ideas will be valuable. Here is the link for the submission:
I was diagnosed with ultra rapid cycling bipolar II with psychotic features in 1995. Now there is a diagnosis! I had my first hypomanic episode in 1980. So I have been living with bipolar disorder for all of my adult life. I’m 47 now. You would think that I would be used to it. I’m not. It always shocks me when I get really sick. The mood swings are just so odd. They can be so random and simply stupid- I can get psychotic just because someone is rude to me in public? That is crazy! I have an argument with my brother and I get in my car and cry so hard I can’t drive? I go out and have fun and meet someone attractive and I get OCD so badly I never call the person again?
How about the depression that comes from change? It can even be good change such as [ Read More ]
Here’s to successful bipolar disorder management in 2011. That is definitely my goal. I always say to myself- changes have to be made in order for me to move forward. I have my list of changes ready- they are reasonable and doable. It’s great to hear from others who are making bipolar disorder management a priority. Mary writes below of how important it is to know our own behavior so that we can tell the difference between the bipolar behavior and our own. Thanks to Mary for the positive message!
Julie – Thank you! Your truisms are in my journal, along with my own.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 December 14, 2010. I found your book “Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder 2 and this site. Both are helping me understand what I thought was “just” Major Depression, and me, is much more than that. Now I know that all of my feelings of wanting [ Read More ]
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