1. Use the energy to get as much work done as possible. Things have been quite terrible for a month- so I can at least use this energy to get caught up as much as possible. 2. Realize that I always want to drink when I get like this. I rarely drink otherwise. So, tonight, when I see friends for karaoke, I will not have Ouzo! 3. Be home and in bed by midnight at the latest.
Get ready for the downswing.
It’s all about awareness. I created the Health Cards to help me manage this illness- they have helped me manage this mania better than any treatment I have ever known. I am thankful I can recognize this for what it is and do something about it. I refuse, absoluely refuse to make the manic mistakes of [ Read More ]
In the past few years as I’ve gotten better and better- I’m able to do things I could not do in the past. Here are a few of them.
I can travel again: at first someone had to go with me. I had a lot of OCD at the airport and got overwhelmed with the journey.
Now, I can travel by myself with ease! It takes a lot of prep though- in terms of sleep, etc.
I can teach again. I teach classes on How to Write a Bestselling Non Fiction Book. In the past, I would get way too paranoid to teach- this lasted for a few years. Now I can do it with pleasure- like I used to.
There are many things I can do since starting the Health Cards. I’m thankful. You can read about the Health Cards at www.bipolarhappens.com if you’re new to this blog!
When I wake up in the morning I can always tell- immediately- what mood I’m in. I either have a thought or just an overwhelming feeling about what I will face during the day.
When I wake up depressed, I have the thought, “There’s no point to my life.”
When I wake up manic- if I managed to sleep enough at all! I have the thought, “All right! I’m going to get so much done today!”
The depressive thoughts are more like a flood or terrible emotion- they can cloud my day all day if I let them.
The manic thoughts are like a blast of sunlight and I spring out of my bed like an athlete.
I use this time of the day to gauge my mood before I even leave my room. I have to be that self aware. If it’s depression, I say to myself, “Ok Julie. [ Read More ]
Depending on your computer system, you can either listen directly from this blog, or you may have to download the podcast to your computer. This is a MP3 file that’s easy to download and then play. You can then put the file on your IPOD.
This is what I wrote in my journal last night when I tracked my mood. I’ve tracked my moods every night for over four years. It is an amazing tool. Usually, I can tell by looking at a month of data what was helping and hurting the bipolar. These last few months have not been as obvious. I’ve just had so much depression that doesn’t seem related to any event. It’s causing events! When this happens, I try to look deeper into what my be exacerbating the depression. 1. I know it’s bipolar disorder. It’s al illness. There is nothing wrong with me. 2. I’m very upset and worried about my brother. I’m once again to the point of not spending time with him due to his moods. He’s a wonderful man, but he won’t get help for his [ Read More ]
Here is a great question from a reader – Amy- regarding Lamictal (Lamotrigine) side effects.
My 18 year old son with BP, anxiety, depression, OCD, ADD tried Lamictal from March to June of this year and once he got above the 100 mg. mark he developed facial tics (squeezing his eyelids shut and mouth grimaces). We went off Lamictal gradually for about one month, and the facial tics disappeared. He had about 3 weeks completely off, then on the advice of Dr. Papolos (author of The Bipolar Child), we started up again and he is on 25 mg./day. So far, so good. But that dose is really equivalent to 50 mg/day because he takes 1500 mg. Depakote as well, and Depakote intensifies the Lamictal in the blood.
Has anyone else experienced facial tics with Lamictal? Dr. Papolos as well as my son’s current pdoc had never heard of that, but a friend who researched [ 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.
