If you have to clean your house and it feels overhwleming then just do one room and praise yourself for getting it done.
If you’re manic and you want to clean your whole house, well.. just make sure you don’t throw everything out!
If you’re depressed and you have the money to do so- hire someone to clean your house.
If you’re manic and you’re cooking 10 dishes at once…. make sure you don’t cut off a finger.
Many people with bipolar disorder live with mild to moderate symptoms that can control behaviors in a negative way- but these are the symptoms you can overcome- you just have to be aware of your patterns when you’re manic or depressed and do the best you can to prevent disasters.
You can clean when you’re depressed- and you can keep the cleaning (and cooking) safe when you’re manic.
I am going to court tomorrow, and I have been a mess, shaky, anxious, and frustrated at everybody around me. I feel like everything someone says is just irritating and worthless to me. I don’t want to be around anybody, but I know that is not healthy for me. I have been getting worse all week leading up to this stressful situation. I am worried that I am going to have a full blown depression episode. I cannot concentrate and am having trouble sleeping.
Hi C,
Isn’t it amazing what stress can do to our bodies and minds… I would be stressed too. It hits us harder- that’s for sure. It’s amazing that you are aware of your anger and frustration- this means you can keep it from ruining relationships and getting you into trouble. I was majorly irritated yesterday and even yelled at a friend- I felt terrible and then realized that [ Read More ]
I live in Portland, Oregon in the US. I work with family members and partners over the phone with my coaching business. I also work with family members and partners of people with bipolar disorder in person here in Oregon.
My goal is to help those in crisis learn more about the illness and how they can help the person they love. I remember when my partner Ivan was in the hospital for three months in a bipolar manic psychotic episode and I had no one to talk to. There was so much I didn’t know and I lived in constant fear. I thought to myself- When we get through this- I’m going to write a book- and I did. Now I’m glad I can now work one on one with those in the same place I was all of those years ago.
If you have a loved on newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and [ Read More ]
I once asked a friend of mine what he thought about mania and his friends with bipolar disorder. It’s always interesting to ask the people in your life how they perceive bipolar moodswings. It may be very different than you expect. Here is his answer.
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I’ve always thought of mania as a “Euphoric” high, the feeling that we all have at times that is exacerbated with someone with bipolar disorder. You feel like you can do no wrong, you feel great, you can’t believe you’ve ever been depressed. You can spend money, make big decisions, all with this state of mind. I compare it to making decisions with a depressed mind, you don’t want to do that either. It’s like two ends of a spectrum. It may feel great to be on a manic high, but it seems uncontrollable, decisions are made that are easily regrettable in a short time. Like a control [ Read More ]
I think you will really like my new website- especially if you have visited the old one for the past few years! This one lets people know more about my work in general. It also explains my family and partner coaching work as well as information on all of my books.
My webmaster Emanuel is so supportive of my work- he understands bipolar disorder and understands how I operate. That is all you can ask for in a webmaster!
I hope you enjoy the podcasts, videos and my radio show interviews on the site as well.
Thanks to everyone for your reader comments and questions- here is one regarding work and bipolar mania.
Hi Julie,
I have been have episodes where I experience mania, wanting to buy stuff limited need to sleep and the inability to concentrate, focus finish an assigned task. This is a real problem at work as I work at a law firm and my hours are billable. I seem to have the episodes the week before and during my menstrual cycle. Do you know hormonal changes can effect my bi polar cycle/episodes? This is a real problem and I have so much anxiety because my Manager has approached me about my job performance and has sad some threatening thing to me regarding my position. I am so anxious and afraid it has a negative effect on my performance, which does not help the situation at all.
BDA Angel
Hi,
Mood swings affect work performance. That’s [ Read More ]
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Mom Brain Podcast
Listen to Julie’s latest interview on bipolar disorder and mental health in children, teens and adults on the Mom Brain Podcast with Hilaria Baldwin and Daphne Oz.
The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
