Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Accepting New Family and Partner Coaching Clients

Writing books on bipolar disorder has been my career for over ten years. I enjoy writing and plan to do a lot more. (It can be a challenge when the mood swings are paying a visit, that’s for sure.)

Over four years ago, I started coaching partners and family members of people with bipolar disorder as an addition to my writing career.

I never, ever thought I would find work that I enjoy as much as I enjoy coaching. I feel at home with the parents and partners as I have been where they are- and I remain calm during the crises that many of my clients are going through while we are working together. Bipolar disorder is like a puzzle. It’s not always easy to find the right pieces on your own. [ Read More ]

Bipolar Happens! is #1 Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle!

Bipolar Happens: 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder is the #1 Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle!

That’s exciting. I went to the Kindle store to see how my books Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder were doing on the bipolar disorder page. These books are in the top ten ranking- and then I saw that Bipolar Happens! was #1.

Fantastic! Bipolar Happens! is an enjoyable book about a serious topic.

Guess what- it’s only $.99 I want it to be available to everyone.

Yes, I think this is a great deal and a good way to get helpful information about bipolar disorder at minimum cost. Bipolar Happens! was my first book. I knew I wanted to talk about how I manage the illness, but I [ Read More ]

Embracing the Journey. Guest Blogger Martin (Marty) Baker: Author of Gum on My Shoe: One Step at a Time with My Bipolar Best Friend

Like many of the friends I’ve met on the internet, Marty charmed me with his commitment to helping those with bipolar disorder, especially his friend Fran. I asked him to write about his experiences as a friend of someone who has bipolar disorder and how it has changed his life. You can read more about Marty in the bio below, and of course there are lots of links, because if you are a mental health writer, you need to know Marty!!

Embracing the Journey by Martin Baker

“You’re stuck with me now, Frannie.” “Like gum on my shoe!”

People are always interested when I say I’m writing a book called Gum on My Shoe. What’s it about they ask? I say, “It describes my [ Read More ]

Guest Blogger Sherry Joiner: It was like my head was so much clearer…. before

It was great doing an interview for the Bp Magazing blog with Julie about the differences between schizo affective disorder and bipolar disorder. Julie asked me to write what life was like for me after I finally had the correct diagnosis of schizo-affective disorder.

After the diagnosis, I got on the right meds and that really helped. It was like my head was so much clearer on the meds. Before, it was like it was like I had a block of metal and I hammered on the metal for an hour and then threw it in the fire- then doused it out with a cold pitcher of water- that is how I described my pain.

The cold hard pain of mental illness. [ Read More ]

What Do I Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder Mania? Take the quiz!

Bipolar Disorder Mania Quiz

Are you ready to test your mania knowledge? Good luck! Answers are below.

1.Mania has two levels of intensity. What are they?

a. Euphoria and dysphoria.

b. Awake all night and feeling groggy the next day.

c. Full blown mania and hypomania.

d. Talkative and non talkative.

2. Which of the behaviors below represent manic behavior?

a. Driving 90 miles an hour down the freeway while playing air guitar on the steering wheel.

b. Yelling and raging at the people who care about you and telling them to leave you the @$@# alone!

c. Meeting someone and moving in the next week.

d. All of the above.

3. There are two types of mania: euphoric [ Read More ]

Three Tips to manage depression and suicidal thoughts with or without medications: Guest blogger Douglas Bloch shares the management system that saved his life

Douglas Bloch A note from Julie: I’ve known Douglas from the mental health community here in Portland, Oregon in the US for over ten years. I knew he would be the perfect guest blogger as he offers so many effective resources. I like that Douglas goes to trainings- he offers so much of his information for free- he is a true example of what he writes about and he saves lives! When someone like Douglas offers his email to the public, he means it. So drop him a line! I especially enjoy his videos. They are on tough topics, but are very accessible! Take it away Douglas….