Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Depression is UNFAIR

I had a wonderful day yesterday. One reason it was wonderful is that it was so NORMAL.

All of us with bipolar disorder strive for one thing- normalcy and stability. Then we can choose things to make us happy and avoid things that make us unhappy- it would be a choice!

I taught a class on writing bestselling non fiction books yesterday. It was just great. I’m finally well enough to plan and teach my own seminars. I’m thankful.

I went to bed tired from real work instead of being tired from being sick all day!

Then, when I woke up this morning, the depression was here. It’s mild, so I will get rid of it. But it’s here. Unfair.

Here are words to describe bipolar disorder: relentless, scary, cruel, awful, petulant and UNFAIR!

At least I know what is going on and can make a joke about it.

I have the power to get [ Read More ]

Teenagers and bipolar disorder pt 2

Hi,

I really like answering reader questions- unfortunately, I’m limited by time, the illness itself and my darn hurt thumbs, but I will get to as many as I can. If you go down two entries, you will see a reader comment about my teenagers with bipolar disorder entry. I answered the question half way and will do the rest later tonight!

If you have read all of the entries and want some more information on my work, please visit www.juliefast.com

Talk with you later tonight!

Julie

Please pass on this blog to your health care professionals!

Health care professionals want to help, but they are often limited by time- I know they are looking for resources outside of books- so please feel free to mention this blog to anyone you feel would benefit from the information. My work is 100% focused on helping people manage this illness- as well as helping the people who care about someone with bipolar disorder- so the more help I receive the more people I can reach!

Here is the address for the blog-

www.bipolarhappens.com/bhblog

Thanks! Julie

Teenagers and Bipolar Disorder: Reader Comment

Wow, I am getting so many comments regarding teenagers and bipolar disorder. It’s a topic that is NEVER talked about- maybe that is because it’s so complicated. If you have not read my blog entries on the topic, you can go to the right and click on the teenager category to read them. I am following up with the topic through a reader question- here is a good one that captures the fear and confusion so many of us feel when someone we love has bipolar disorder that isn’t being treated effectively.

This reader comment is from ‘Mom from a 19 year old with bipolar disorder.’

Julie,

I have two bipolar daughters and a bipolar ex-husband. My heart is hurting now for my teenage daughter. She’s not well right now and she seems only to become involved in destructive relationships with guys who have criminal records, drug issues, no job etc. How can I help [ Read More ]

What is the Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder?

I really do need to change my heading on the top of this blog! People ask me this question all of the time.

The Health Cards are the treatment system I created in 2000 to help myself manage the illness. I was very sick- I basically couldn’t function in the real world in terms of friends and work. I certainly had a life, but it wasn’t a quality life. So I created the Health Cards and got my life back. You can read about them on bipolarhappens.com

The Health Cards are used by the person with the illness as well as the people who care about them. They work! I have a blog on teenagers and bipolar disorder below. Teenagers especially respond to the Health Cards as they can be done in private and then discussed with parents. I wish I’d had them when I was a teenager!

They are a system to accompany [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Mania: Are you Manic Julie? (Julie’s mom)

Are you manic Julie?

I get so pissed when my mom asks me this question! Of course, I taught her to ask it and I want her to ask it, but it always makes me mad.

I mostly have euphoric hypomania. It is wonderful at the beginning. It’s tricky as it usually comes after a depression- so I desperately want and need to feel better. But I know that what goes up must come down, so I have to be ready for the downswing.

I’ve trained myself by using the Health Cards to go into treatment mode as soon as the hypomania starts. Damn, damn, damn. That is actually mild language for what it feels like to realize that feeling good is actually being manic.

If you have a lot of mild manias, this means that you’re rapid cycling. It means your meds are not working fully or that you or something outside of you [ Read More ]