My brain feels like there is a puppy inside chasing butterflies instead of letting me work!
It’s common for people with bipolar disorder to have ADD symptoms as well.
If the person with bipolar disorder has ADD or ADHD symptoms when manic or depressed, it’s a symptom of bipolar disorder. If the symptoms are separate from a manic or depressed episode, the ADD or ADHD symptoms are a separate diagnosis.
I wish I could take Ritalin regularly. It helps SO MUCH, but it also causes mania. People with bipolar disorder simply can’t take ADD medications unless they are also on a strong mood stabilizer. This means a natural management plan for the symptoms needs to be in place I write about my plan in Get it Done When You’re Depressed. I [ Read More ]
Dysphoric mania, also known as agitated or mixed mania is a bipolar disorder mood swing that is often missed due to confusing symptoms.
Dysphoric mania is the opposite of euphoric mania- it’s still a chemically elevated (in terms of energy) mood- but it has none of the good feelings associated with euphoric mania. Dysphoric mania is very confusing for the person in the mood swing. The anger can be so quick and so real.
I am angry at you for many things! I’m just angry! Leave me alone. Stop bugging me!
I don’t have a problem. Why don’t you look at yourself! You are the one with the problem! It can’t always be me. You’ve been getting on my case about this for years. In fact, just last [ Read More ]
Dysphoric mania checklist: Do any of these sound familiar?
You feel agitated and uncomfortable in the body and mind- this is different than anxiety! The depression feels active- it’s not catatonic or sedating. The mind feels jumbled- but energized in a negative way. You may have thoughts such as, “I hate my life. I hate my work. I’ve got to get out of here.” You’re very easily irritated. This can lead to punching things, yelling and picking fights with those you normally treat with love. Road rage with a lot of yelling. You cuss far more than normally- or may even have thoughts and say things that are completely against character. Sleep is completely disturbed due to the mania.
Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and the Health Cards Treatment System [ Read More ]
I continually receive comments, posts on social media and direct emails trying to ‘open my eyes’ to the dangers of psychiatric medications. If you look below to the post under this one, you will see a post on Lamictal (lamotrigine) from a few years ago.
I re-posted the entry so that you could see the comments I receive from those who for some reason feel that a balanced blog that stresses management skills with medications when needed would be open to the idea that NO ONE with bipolar disorder should take medications.
I guess they think I just love putting these toxic things in my body! I don’t like what medications do to us physically, who would. But as someone with very severe rapid cycling where I can go in and out of strong mood swings five or more times [ Read More ]
Lamictal is a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder depression.
The generic name is lamotrigine. The basic dose is 200 mg, though the dose can vary greatly depending on the person. It usually has very low side effects, but there can certainly be some that interfere with life! Here is a question from a reader (Jon) about Lamictal side effects.
Hi Julie,
I’m taking 800mg of lamictal a day for epilepsy, and Ive had a problem with my throat for the past 2 years (almost since Ive been on the medicine. Primarily continual clearing of my throat and a sensation of something stuck in the back of my throat. Ive seen tons of drs, checked me for all nasal and stomach issues, all to no avail. My last dr said it could be some type of tic, but I wasn’t sure. Has [ Read More ]
It’s hard to know if your teenager has bipolar disorder simply because teenagers are emotional creatures! How are parents supposed to figure out what is typical and what is a possible bipolar disorder symptom when so many teenage behaviors seems to mimic the ups and downs of bipolar disorder? I address this question in my latest blog for Bp Magazine.
After years of working with parents who ask me this exact question, I came up with a quick tool all parents can use to at least determine if a teenager needs an evaluation from a health care professional. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but wow, it can save a lot of future grief!
Parent, Caregiver, Partner or Health Care Professional?
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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.
