Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder Mania- Hypomania

Beware of mania if…

You had a tough winter depression. Things are starting to look good and you think to yourself- “I’m finally feeling better! It’s so great to feel good again!” A stable mood doesn’t usually talk that way. Your skin looks better- your hair looks better- your eyes are clear and you have a lot more energy. You feel like doing things you did in the past when you were manic- such as getting up at 4AM because you think you’ve had plenty of sleep even though it has only been about five hours. You want to go out more.

I could go on and on here. If you have the Health Cards, now is the time to get out your mania card- and definitely read my mania Health Card as it shows the really subtle signs that mania is starting. People certainly do get manic in the winter- and there are many [ Read More ]

Watch out for summer bipolar mania….

Bipolar Mania

Oh man, I had a terrible up swing yesterday! The problem with mania- well, there are so many problems with mania it would take a year to write them all down. The problem is that there are so many forms and they are all so sneaky. I’m an expert on mania treatment now- I have done everything possible to notice the signs of mania and get the mania to stop. And it still sneaks up on me.

I had a strong hypomanic episode yesterday. It started out fun and then felt like I was on a way too fast merry go round. I could feel my brain warping. I got so excited about my work I was giddy. It was a bit scary. I actually couldn’t tell if I truly was excited or if it was a mood swing. Looking back, it was 100% mania. People don’t go that wild when things [ Read More ]

Get it Done When You’re Depressed: Put Yourself in a Place You Can Work

Well, have you ever done a project that you just love and are so proud of? That is how I feel about Get it Done When You’re Depressed . This is a big thing for me as I was not able to feel much pleasure in my work for over five years. I spent a lot of time just dealing with the mood swings and complaining that I could do so much more if I didn’t have this darn illness!

Anyway, I use the tips in this book daily. On many days they are intuitive as I have used them so much- but when I’m ill, I have to remind myself to use them as everything seems so hopeless and pointless. I used one today that really worked:

Put Yourself in a Place You Can Work

I have a constant struggle with just sitting down and writing. Today I met my friend Sherri, who [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder: What does it mean when you say you’re sick, Julie?

I have friend who ask me, “What does it mean when you say you’re sick?”

Here’s an example of what I mean: I took on a great job writing an article for healthlyplace.com where I wrote the main mood disorder articles for the site around two years ago.

It is a very realistic assigment for me and is well compensated. I have all of the skills to do it and a great reference in my coauthor Dr. John Preston. I also have plenty of time to write the article. And yet, I started to get ill the day I started the project.

How do I know this is illness? Here is what happened.

1. Overwhelmed and consumed with jealousy when I saw strangers at a coffee shop who looked cooler and happier than I am. 2. I feel like my life is missing something that others have and that I want and need more to [ Read More ]

Bipolar disorder and morning depression…..

I woke up depressed and stressed….

I woke up and felt a cascade of negative thoughts. There was a song going over and over in my head. I felt doubts about my latest book deal. When I poured milk on my cereal, my brain started counting the way the milk came out of the container. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-

I’ve talked to other people who have the counting thing as well. I only get it when I’m stressed or psychotic! And it always ends with eight!

Then there are the thoughts that I will be lonely all weekend and that the article that is due tomorrow won’t get done.

ALL LIES.

I just want to get on with my day and I will. I have now heard all of the bad stuff my brain has to offer- for the rest of the day I will replace it with the good stuff I have to offer my brain. I [ Read More ]

bipolarhappens.com blog reader comment- on confident relationships

Here is a great comment regarding my post about relationship confidence- it’s so inspiring, I thought it would be a great post that people could read when they wake up tomorrow morning!

Hi Julie,

I know exactly what you’re talking about!

And I also knew, that living in a new city, I was never going to get out of the depression I’m still recovering from if I didn’t start developing relationships with people here.

I made a commitment that this semester I’d make a concerted effort. So I’ve been forcing myself to act as if people have every reason in the world to want to hang out with me, work with me, etc., and am getting very positive responses. I’ve even started joining meetup groups and getting together with people I don’t know at all. I think I might finally be getting close to the point in recovery where I can also start to reach [ Read More ]