Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Selfie with my Nephew David

With my nephew David. The joy of my life and one reason I’ve survived all these years. Having a young person in my life changed me profoundly. During the deepest, darkest suicidal moments I always had the strong feeling that staying alive was a profound way of honoring David. He knows what he means to me in his 12 year old mind. I doubt he’ll ever know what affect he has had on my work and my life! Lucky me! Julie

July 4th Holiday Bipolar Blues (but not in 2014!)

Blog From 2009: (I’m receiving comments asking if this is an old blog- nope! It’s new- my goal was to show you that I wrote the same thing in 2009 that I would write today in terms of holidays and bipolar disorder. I’ve learned that holidays are not for me in many ways, so I simply skip the ones I find stressful. I’ll be watching the World Cup on this holiday, so it’s a lot less stress this year!- here’s the post from a few years ago- but the sentiment remains the same. )

I am constantly astonished at how much trouble I have with holidays! It’s never ending. Yesterday was Independence Day here in the states. We do some major celebrating on that day. The weather was gorgeous here in Portland, Oregon. I [ Read More ]

World Cup Brazil 2014. I’m able to work at a regular job.. sort of, but it’s still awesome!

[ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety Podcast

This blog post was originally sent out as one of my Bipolar Happens newsletters. It’s the first time I’ve used a podcast for one of my newsletters. I enjoy doing them and I may do more in the future. If you aren’t currently a subscriber and you would like to receive my newsletters via email, you can sign up using the form over in the right-hand sidebar. It’s free and I won’t ever share your email with anyone.

Summary: Most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety. It’s probably close to 99%! It’s just part of the illness. Anxiety can be a separate disorder, but most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety that comes with specific mood swings. In other words, people with an anxiety disorder can be anxious while their lives are relatively stable. People [ Read More ]

Accepting New Family and Partner Coaching Clients

(As you may know, my coaching practice was full for the first part of 2014. I’m now taking new clients. If you visited my coaching page and sent me a query and have not heard back from me, please leave a comment in the comment section below and I will be in touch. Julie)

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 two 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. [ Read More ]

Depressed? It’s ok to hide it sometimes….but you can still have a good time.

I know, it’s darn hard to hide depression sometimes- but you have to learn to do it. Here’s a journal entry from a few years ago.

I am in Michigan visiting my dad. My nephew is here. I’ve had a wonderful time in many ways. Unfortunately, yesterday was not so wonderful depression wise as I was down for most of the day. In the past, that would have affected my behavior- which means I would be a downer for the people around me.

I don’t allow that any more. I was able to function- have some fun- eat a great meal- play dominoes with my dad and nephew- even when the thoughts were raging. I just have to let them sit there in the background like the demons they are. I hate this illness so much, but I’ve learned that I don’t [ Read More ]