Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Do You Care About Someone with Bipolar Disorder Who Refuses Help for Bipolar Disorder?

You are not alone! Many people with bipolar disorder can’t see they are ill and many know they have the illness, but stubbornly refuse help!

Here are three tips to ease your loved one into future treatment:

1. If the person refuses to say the words bipolar disorder, don’t try to force the issue…yet. Instead, talk about feeling good, feeling down, feeling upset or feeling angry.

2. Focus on sleep. Many people with untreated mood disorders are open to getting help for sleep. Talk about sleep studies, small doses of melatonin four hours before midnight and talking to a professional to get help for sleeping issues.

3. If it feels right, talk about anxiety. I’ve learned through working with parents and partners that people who refuse to use the words bipolar disorder [ Read More ]

Do You Have A Helping of Chronic Pain and Inflammation Along with Your Bipolar Disorder?

I do! I’m currently eating a Paleo diet with the autoimmune protocol (no nightshades, dairy, etc) to deal with an intense back and hip injury from a biking accident. When I say I’m eating a Paleo diet, I means I’m working it, but I haven’t reached a point of following it completely.

The Paleo concept isn’t complicated. Many of the foods we eat today are so new our bodies are not always able to digest the foods in a natural way. This way of eating isn’t about losing weight, it’s about ending physical problems. The basics: You eat nutrient dense foods with an emphasis on meat, vegetables and fruit. Grains and legumes are not consumed due to their propensity to cause digestion problems. This is why beans, beans the edible fruit, the more [ Read More ]

Hello Australia! Bipolar Disorder and Light Exposure. Four Keys to Successfully Manage the Illness on Sunny Days

Bipolar disorder mood swings in the sunny, Australian winter. It’s not easy to figure out how sunlight and darkness affect bipolar disorder. It’s often as much to do with WHEN you are exposed to light and darkness as how much. Learning about your circadian rhythm is essential. Read Geralyn’s question below and think of how you would answer. I’m interested to then know how you feel about my answer as it might be different than you expect!

I just received a Facebook question from Geralyn in Australia.

“Hi Julie, did you know that in the part of Australia where I live the worst time for bipolar swings is Summer not Winter because you have to keep heat out by shutting curtains etc. which means less light. I’m having [ Read More ]

You Can Make 2015 the Best Year Ever…..

Yes! I turn 51 years old today. 2015 is going to be my best year ever. The first step is to heal the back and hip- it’s certainly a challenge that will keep me on my toes. (For those who don’t know, I’m dealing with a biking injury that has certainly changed my life.) Thank you to all of my great readers and clients in 2014. Thank you for all of the kind comments on my social media. I’m enjoying coaching and will get back to writing soon.

If you have bipolar disorder and are dealing with chronic pain and or weight management struggles- guess what my next book is about! From 1995 until now my life has been all about managing bipolar disorder. Now that I have a system that works and [ Read More ]

Brand Name Lamictal and Generic Lamotrigine …2015 Update

I regularly receive questions about the brand name drug Lamictal. It’s one of the best medications around for treating bipolar disorder depression. It works as an anti depressant without as many concerns about mania. It saved my life. It’s the only drug I’ve ever been able to use long term. I was on it for five years. My bipolar disorder is under control these days and I’m not taking it regularly, but at one time I was on 750 mg a day and it kept my suicidal depression from getting too severe. Lamictal (lamotrigine) has one of the highest treatment effectiveness ranges. The therapeutic dose is around 200 mg, but many people need a higher dose.