Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

What is Greatness?

I have always liked the words greatness, champion and hard worker. I apply those to bipolar disorder management. I like to see myself as a champion. I certainly hope for greatness. To me these words mean that I simply keep going no matter what bipolar disorder throws at me. Sometimes I limp- fall down, hurt myself and dont’ want to go forward. I know that is what bipolar disorder wants. I remember coming out of some manic episodes in the past and feeling that I would never recover from what I did while I was manic. But I recovered. I remember being so suicidal that I could hardly move because of fear I would do something I regretted. When I realized that I could make it through anything, that’s when I started to write my books. You may not know this, but I wrote all of my books while depressed. I am sure you can [ Read More ]

Generic Bipolar Disorder Medications

As may of you know if you’re a regular to this blog- I had a very bad reaction when I changed from brand name Lamictal to to generic Lamictal (lamtrigine.) Others made the switch just fine. If you have switched over from your brand Lamictal to generic Lamtrigine and have noticed a difference in the efficacy of the drug, there are many blog entries under the Lamictal tab to the right that explain generic bipolar drugs in great detail. You can also ready my story- it was quite a saga! But it has all worked out. My mother who takes Lamictal had no problems and has stayed on the lamotrigine. I went back to brand Lamictal and am very happy with the results. No matter what you take, knowledge of generic bipolar disorder drugs is essential!

Julie

lamictal

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Spiraling back up from a downward spiral

Bipolar disorder doesn’t like change. It likes structure and set schedules.

I’m not trying to anthropomorphize bipolar disorder. When I say ‘it’ I do know it’s an illness, but it can sure seem like a human adversary. It’s tricky, sneaky and nasty. Those are not exactly good qualities! But just like with any human adversary, it is possible to minimize the damage.

When an event sends you spiraling down into depression, it’s easy to think that everything in your life is spiraling down. That is what bipolar disorder does. It distorts your thinking so that one event becomes about your whole life. So when you have a problem – with a relationship for example, bipolar disorder symptoms will whisper that this means you have trouble with all of your relationships and that you will never have good relationships again.

It doesn’t matter that this is impossible. It feels very real and the spiraling downward continues. [ Read More ]

A Quick Hello

Life is good. I am working and getting things done.

I’m not manic.

I’m not depressed.

I’m busy like a normal person who isn’t manic would be busy.

This is such a dream come true. I just wrote a newsletter about the topic of goals and how long it takes to reach them when bipolar disorder is involved. I am never sure how long a period of stablity will last, but I will do everything in my power to keep it going!

How are you doing?

julie

Video blog welcome from Julie

I’m committed to using my new video camera to record more videos for the blog. My goal is to answer reader questions, give updates on my writing projects and offer as much support as possible. Feel free to send me topics for these webcasts. I so appreciate the questions regarding bipolar disorder treatment, bipolar symptoms and help for family members who love someone with bipolar disorder.

PS: My mom looked at this video and said, “This looks nothing like you!” That’s good to know!

Reader Question: Bipolar hypomania, dancing and endorphins!

I just received the following question from Alixana on how a person can know if an exciting and endorphin producing event can cause mania. Here is the question and my long answer- I try to keep it short, but nothing with bipolar disorder is short!

Dear Julie,

Thank you for being so honest about your battle with bipolar disorder, and for chronicling your experiences so that other sufferers can learn from them.I stumbled upon your blog while googling for a link between endorphins and hypomania. So far, nothing I’ve read suggests that an endorphin rush can trigger off a hypomanic episode, but I’m worried that there might be a possible connection between the two.

To cut a long story short, I took up social dancing a few months ago – at least two studies have shown that it benefits patients with depression, so I thought it’d help with bipolar as well (I have Bipolar [ Read More ]