Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Tough Day… just keep going Julie

All right Julie, you just keep going…

This is what I say to myself when I wake up in a down mood. My mind starts to go into the- “what’s the point?” direction- and I make myself stop it.

First of all, not everything has to have a point and not everything I do has to have great meaning.

Secondly, I have an illness that makes me doubt everything when I’m depressed.

The best thing to do is to just keep going. I can find meaning AFTER I’ve done something.

This helps me GET THINGS DONE!

Julie

Bipolar Disorder: Britney Spears Update

Wow, considering how sick Britney Spears was last year, she sure is doing well.

When my partner Ivan went through a severe manic/psychotic episode, it took him a year to recover. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for him had he been in the public eye.

I’ve followed the story pretty carefully. I was interviewed for US Magazine last year when it was still unclear if she had the illness. Their sources said it was confirmed and that she was on Abilify. There is no way to know anything for sure if the family is not talking.

Well, writing about her is odd for me. I don’t get star struck- but I do feel this is a situation where her misfortune was a good thing for those of us with bipolar disorder. Her manic episode was caught on film over and over again and the world finally had compassion.

Compassion for a [ Read More ]

Keep trying to find the right bipolar disorder medication…..

How Many Medications Should I Try?

This is a difficult question for many health care professionals as well as people with the illness. It’s known that the first bipolar disorder medications tried are not always successful and that a trial and error process is usually indicated. Some people try medications for a year or more until they find something that works for them. Considering medication side effects and the impact on the body when stopping or changing medications, it’s important that you work with your health care professional closely when you’re asked to try a new medication.

I suggest that people keep trying to find the right medications. I use the Health Cards every day as I always say and I used them without medications for many years. It took me about 50% of my time to manage the illness. I’ve always said that managing this illness was a part time job. It was so [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder Medications – Lamictal Side Effects

Bipolar Medications: Lamictal Side Effects

I love Lamictal. That could be a bumper sticker on my car. I hope you have a medication that you love.

Unfortunately, I have some pretty tough side effects. Right now I’m dealing with the super stiff neck that often comes with the drug. It disrupts my sleep, which isn’t good! It’s like nighttime whip lash. I’ve found that stretching my neck and then using an ice pack helps. I try to get a massage as often as possible. I find myself moving my head over and over again to try to find a comfortable place on my pillow. There usually isn’t one! My side effects come and go, so hopefully this will be gone soon.

I’ve probably written about this on the blog- but I had to write it again to remind people that we may have to live with some side effects if the medication works [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder Triggers

I just finished an article on bipolar disorder triggers for my column in BP Magazine.

I was going through some serious trigger issues when I wrote it! Do you write things down when you’re sick? I find it helps. I can often see my role in what’s going on if I write about what I’m honestly feeling.

I started seriously examining my bipolar triggers about eight years ago when I created the Health Cards (my treatment plan on bipolarhappens.com )- wow, I was a mess. I walked into situations without thinking and I was constantly ill. I’m a lot more vigilant now. A lot more. The minute I start to get sick, I think to myself- what is going on here? And I examine my life. Often it’s a problem with a person or work. Considering that my life pretty much revolves around relationships and work, this is depressing!

A friend of [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Work – reader question

bipolarhappens.com reader question

Julie,

When you say you have trouble finding a comfortable place to work, do you mean creating good physical surroundings? Finding an appropriate setting? Balancing solitude with working with people? Just curious.

Hi!

It’s all of those things. I guess my main problem is brain fog when it comes to focusing on thing I have to do in order. For example, I have a ton of deadlines in the next week. A book chapter is due. I have to get ready for my DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) presentation for the September conference and I have to get copy ready for a class I’m teaching. If I have one project- I can complete it very easily. Having five or six projects jumbles my mind. I make a lot of charts! Another problem is that a lot of my work brings money in months and months later- such as writing a book. So [ Read More ]