Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Reader Question: Bipolar disorder and Meditation

Julie,

Was there a particular book or video or teacher of meditation you used to learn this? Do you sit on the floor? In your bedroom or somewhere else? I’ve done a lot of yoga but never meditation. Could be a good idea for me as a nightly routine. Thanks, Sarah Hello to Everyone,

Any ideas for Sarah? Books, CDs. MP3s and Videos are good.

Here are some from my friend Rebecca.

Kathy Freston

Perfect Weight by Kathy Freston (Audio CD – Mar. 3, 2003) Abundance by Kathy Freston (MP3 Download – May 25, 2007) Download MP3 Album: $8.99 These are on specific topics, but they are good. Julie

Manic Depression rapid cycling: What can one do?

Manic depression is such an old term. I like to use it once in awhile. It’s certainly descripitve! Now, on with the blog!

I ask myself this question a lot- so I will ask it to you. What can you do if your bipolar simply won’t stop affecting your life? I know that I do every single thing I write about in my books and have changed my life 100%. And yet there is still a problem. Bipolar disorder can be managed, but it doesn’t go away.

This sucks- pardon my French.

I no longer struggle with the ‘why me’ of having this illness. What I struggle with is working so hard every minute of the day and still being sick off and on. I do know that I would be in and out of the hospital without my plan. And I know I would not be able to do the work I love so [ Read More ]

My brother Ed

My brother Ed- it's an interesting relationship.

Sometimes you have to walk away from a family member and create a new relationship that works for you – in terms of bipolar disorder. I love my brother- just as you probably love your family members even when they drive you bonkers. But, and this is a big one- you can’t always have the kind of relationship you want and need with someone just because they are a part of your family.

I know what I want from my brother- and after a lifetime of being together, you think I would know what he can and wants to give. I have to change and I’m trying. He is who he is. I found a journal from 1994 [ Read More ]

People you love who cause you trouble… BP trouble…

I am a huge fan of sports radio- actually, watching sports keeps me going on tough days. That is why I always remind myself to think like an athlete and just plow through the rough times work wise.

This morning- I heard an interview with a financial advisor who works with the world’s top athletes- the radio host asked him if he had ever fired a client. He said, “Yes. I simply told the guy – I don’t want to take on the headache that goes with working with you.”

This got me to thinking. Those of us with bipolar- and possibly those of us who love someone with the illness and don’t like the way they are treating us can have the same motto:

“I don’t want to take on the mood swings that go with being around you. ”

That is the ultimate definition of a trigger- if something or someone makes [ Read More ]

Question: My husband isn’t getting help. Do I stay or do I go?

Hi Julie. I just discovered your blog. I have a question; are you married or in a relationship? I am married to someone with bipolar and I have young children. I wake up each and every day wondering “what will happen today.” I don’t know if I can do it much longer. I guess I’m looking for some sort of hope. Thanks, Marie

Hi Marie,

Here is a short answer: (Well, it started short and then became long!)

1. Most people have trouble when one person has bipolar. Period. I know because I do a lot of coaching with partners.

2. Many are able to learn skills to help communication when the person is in a mood swing- I call my system the Bipolar Conversation. Remember, when your partner is in a mood swing, you are talking to the illness. You both have to learn to get past this.

3. I highly suggest you read [ Read More ]

Manic Depression Mania: SpInNing into butter..

There is an old saying I remember from my childhood called ‘spinning into butter.’ It means things get so out of control, the milk just whirls and whirls around until it becomes a solid mass of butter!

Mania is like spinning into butter- that’s for sure. The name Manic Depression was used for so long because it’s an apt description for bipolar in most ways- though we now know the illness is so much more- but… the mania is so dangerous in that it can wreck your life very, very quickly.

If you feel you’re spinning into butter- it can be from anxiety, doing too much, other triggers or… simply from a hypomanic or manic episode.

What is the next step? Make yourself sit down and take an honest evaluation of where you are. If you’re manic, or starting to get manic- now is the time to take action- not creative action- but manic stopping [ Read More ]