Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar, A Day in the Life of …. Me

A day in the life of me…. All I want to do is write. I want to finish my books, write my Bp Magazine and Psychology Today blogs. I want to make my videos, see my friends and family and get on with life.

Bipolar disorder DOESN’T CARE about any of this.

Bipolar disorder is a very complex illness with incredibly intricate symptoms that weaves its way into every fiber of my being.

Today was a challenge and sometimes when it gets time for bed, all I can do is say thank heavens I made it through another day of this rotten illness.

I am saying thank you now simply because this is my policy. I am thankful I have a management plan that works. Otherwise, today would have been a @#$! storm.

I am [ Read More ]

The Humdinger Bipolar Downswing

My bipolar depression episode has ended. It was three weeks and it was a humdinger. Here is a picture of a humdinger. I can’t stress enough that the BEST thing about bipolar disorder is that it’s an episodic illness. Episodes end. Every day I would wake up and say, “This is the day I get out of this horrific episode.” Eventually it worked. I spent at least four to five hours a day working on bipolar disorder management tools I know have worked in the past. Especially the strategies in Get it Done When You’re Depressed. You can get better. Your loved one can get better. Your client can get better. My depressions used to last for years. They now last weeks at the most. Think of reducing the [ Read More ]

The Day is Never Lost…

….. if we can eventually use our experiences to help others. I believe this. Julie

Three Nasty Bipolar Disorder Symptoms that are not Mania and Depression!

Three bipolar disorder symptoms you probably think are a personal failing:

1. Inability to sit down and work like you know you should be able to and could do if only… you could sit down and work darn it! 2. Restlessness.. Nothing feels good. From chairs to people. 3. Lack of insight as to why I struggle so much in daily life.

Here is why this list is important. I HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS WHEN I’M NOT MANIC OR DEPRESSED.

I remember when I wanted to say that bipolar disorder was more than mania and depression and my publishing company said, Nope, it’s a mania and depression illness. We can’t say that the above are actually symptoms. They are a subset of mania and or depression.

[ Read More ]

Mean Bipolar Downswings: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself!

When overwhelmed, negative mood swings arrive, they can bring out some very unsavory behavior.

1. No table at a restaurant pleases. 2. No food tastes good. 3. Driving causes road rage. 4. Life feels very difficult. 5. It’s hard to find a comfortable place to sit. 6. Work is scattered. 7. The body is out of whack. 8. People get on the nerves. 9. Life is too busy. 10. We want a different life.

When I have one of these mood swings, I recognize that I’m overwhelmed and I take action. It usually takes me hours to get myself to calm down and those are often lost hours. I have to stop myself from driving randomly. I will park, go in a place, feel uncomfortable and leave over and over again if I let myself. I will eat sugar to feel better [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder Changes that Bear Fruit….

Bipolar depression getting you down? My goal every day is to go to bed feeling better than when I woke up. I find this goal attainable when I’m in a deep depression. If I set my goal too high- such as not being depressed at all when I go to bed, I’m often disappointed. But… if the goal is to get better throughout the day, it’s always attainable. My down swings are less than 25% of what they used to be. This is due to medications that work and my plan to do something each day to get better. I started this plan 20 years ago and it started bearing fruit many years later. If you start today and make small changes, you life WILL be [ Read More ]