Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Smiling on the outside……..

I have written something like this many times in terms of bipolar disorder depression- but this time it’s physical! I broke my toe five weeks ago and it should be healed by now. Well, guess what!

I’m amazed at how pain affects a person’s ability to work. Have you experienced something similar? I see a surgeon soon- I am also going to my acupuncturist tomorrow night.

When I feel that rise of hysteria inside my body, I think to myself. It is all going to be fine and what’s most important is that you’re very stable. That will get you through this! I have dealt with bipolar disorder mood swings since age 17. I can deal with a broken toe. That is what I say to myself!

If you search under the word toe you will see my xray!

I hope your physical health is well.

Work is going so well, I won’t let anything [ Read More ]

Pharmaceutical Giant Pfizer Hit with 2.3 Billion Dollar Fine

Have you ever noticed how articles always refer to large companies as giants? Well, Pfizer has been hit with a giant fine for misrepresenting the benefits of three well known drugs- one of them being Geodon – an antipsychotic used to treat bipolar disorder psychosis.

Here is an excellent article on the topic:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Pfizer-to-pay-record-23B-apf-1176280604.html?x=0

Julie

Plan your bipolar disorder goals….

Nobody plans to fail, but plenty of people fail to plan.

“Plan” is the leading self-help advice from athletes, business moguls and everyday people who have achieved extraordinary goals.

I think I’ve tried to create a plan for my day almost every day of my life for the past seven years. I’ve found it helps me function when I’m having mood swings. Of course, this is harder if you’re experiencing mania or psychosis, but it does work exceptionally well with bipolar depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms and OCD symptoms. In fact, if it’s mild mania (hypomania) and bipolar psychosis like I get, it works then too!

If I’m having trouble getting to sleep at night- I go over my plan for the next day in my head. It’s calming. If you don’t have anything planned and it’s upsetting to you, just click on the Get it Done When You’re Depressed tab [ Read More ]

Reader comment: bipolar disorder and spirituality

I just received the following comment from Janette. I often then of the difference between mania and religious/spiritual feelings. It can be so hard to tell the difference. This is also true with the Tarot, psychic readings and anything else that connects to the spiritual world.

No matter what you believe or don’t believe, the facts are that people with mania can have what feels like a magnificent religious experience when manic and then be very devastated when they realize it was mania. Prevention is he key here. If you know your mania starts with religious/spiritual/psychic fervor, you need to know the signs and get help before they go too far. This is one situation my books talk about very, very clearly. You have to know the signs of mania a lot earlier than the signs of depression and psychosis. Mania has such a small treatment window – and you may be in a hospital [ Read More ]

Eli Lilly Reintigration College Scholarship for those with bipolar disorder

Wow, that is a mouthful.

This is a very, very exciting opportunity for someone with bipolar disorder who wants to further their education. I have a friend with bipolar disorder who won the scholarship and used it to get his master’s degree in psychology.

I won the Eli Lilly Reintigration Comeback Award in 2007 for my work in bipolar disorder managment. It was quite an honor. I decided quite a while ago that no matter what we think of drug companies from a intellectual, social and financial level- the facts are that their drugs save lives. Thus we have to work together.

You will find all of the information needed in the link below. If you apply for this Eli Lilly Scholarship, make sure you let me know!

I am posting this one month earlier than needed so that you can do some research and see what materials you will need to put together for [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Work: I always, always feel better if I get something done

I didn’t feel up to working today, but I’m so glad I did. I would say my depression was reduced by half just by doing my work. It was weighting on me that I haven’t worked enough this week. No matter how sick I am, I can still sit down and work.

It’s a lot easier when I’m manic- but then I don’t want to work- I just want to party and have a good time.

What a confusing illness- work is an expression of who we are and what we want in life- it makes us money and gives us a purpose. It supports families and can even make us famous. And bipolar can take it all away in just a few hours depending on what mood swing shows up.

We all need a plan for those days so that we can and will sit down no matter what!

I always remind myself that [ Read More ]