I always write about depression and loneliness during the holidays, but for many people, mania is the problem! It can be very overstimulating to buy presents, decorate the house, cook food and be around a lot of people. But the main concern is travel. If you’re going to travel, make sure you have a mania plan in place. What are your first signs of mania? Have you ever gotten manic on a trip before? How do you deal with time changes?
Here are three tips:
1. Let others know what to look for concerning mania. Be honest and give them a list. Then tell yourself you’ll listen and not get mad if they see the beginning signs of mania. Then get help.
2. Get your medications on a time scheduel before you go. Even a two hour time change can mess up a medication schedule. Especially if you’re dealing with jetlag. We respond top time [ Read More ]
The following is a story of how working with clients has taught me what information parents and partners truly need. If you have not visited my coaching page, here is the link: http://www.juliefast.com/family-coaching/
In 1994 after my then partner Ivan come home after a three month stay in the hospital- I thought to myself- on day I am going to help people get through something like this because there sure isn’t anyone here to help me get through it! Now, fifteen years later I am fulfilling my promise to myself. The coaching has been an amazing experience, but also a very surprising one. Here are a few things I have learned from working with so many clients:
1. The system has hardly changed AT ALL compared to how it was in 1994. It still favors the patient over the family member and partner and many people with bipolar disorder who are obviously very [ Read More ]
This is the time of year we need to feel loved and welcome- and we all want to change and make 2010 the best year ever! So, let’s make that happen this year. I’m asking people to send in their favorite inspirational and life changing books so that others can benifit from the author’s wisdom. The books can be faith based, funny, about bipolar disorder, memoir, weight management and more. I will look over all of the books before they are posted. Hmmmmm . Can I add my own books! 🙂
Julie
I will add the first one- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book profoundly changed my life as it taught me to take care of myself and stop worrying about why others do what they do. I will never know unless they choose to tell me. It also helped with my paranoia. It’s definitely an odd book to read at the [ Read More ]
I want to say thanks for all of the comments and questions I receive on this blog. They mean a lot to me and I know they are important to other readers as well. Thousands read this blog for inspiration each month- and what you write really puts a human face on bipolar disorder. I have noticed lately that many of you are leaving supportive comments on the suicide blog entries.
I wish that I could answer all of the questions I recieve- I do read them all and try to write blog posts that address the most common questions. Many answers are found in my books as well.
My newly revised website http://www.bipolarhappens.com/ has a LOT of free information on the topic of bipolar disorder including its symptoms and triggers, the medications used to treat bipolar disorder, tips for parents of teenagers and a great deal of [ Read More ]
I love sports radio- as many of you know. I stopped listening to and reading all local and world news about six months ago and moved into sports.
Sports radio is a lot of fun and man on man do those guys gossip! They gossip more than any tabloid magazine. I find it very funny and relaxing. Sports are big business and there are a lot of negative behaviors, lying, cheating, backstabbing, trash talking and throwing too many interceptions – especially if you are my favorite player- Jay Cutler!
And yet, it’s all done in a rather positive way with a lot of laughter and playfulness. Even the recent story of Tiger Woods and his ‘transgretions’ was handled differently in the sports radio world than in the tabloids. It’s refreshing.
What is my point in all of this? When I watched the news, listened to NPR (National Public Radio) all day and read the Internet [ Read More ]
I write a lot about suicide on this blog. I just received this comment from one of the posts. I replied to the comment below:
Hi Julie,
And, now I’m scared. This down keeps on keeping on and more and more I cannot see the point of my living. Diagnosed 12 years ago and many meds later I’m not confined to my bed but I’m just awake more to alienate myself from everyone and experience longer and more excruciating bouts of pain. I understand that fighting attitude and I keep trying to rise above it and then I get weary and then I can’t fight my way out of a paper bag. I’ve lost all credibility with family, friends and co-workers. I don’t want to be around someone like me. I have not stopped crying for weeks. I cry while I’m walking, I cry at thru water aerobics Now, I’m just holding on until I [ Read More ]
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Mom Brain Podcast
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