Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder and ignorance….

I used to hear these comments a lot before I was diagnosed. (I still hear some of them now!)

Why can’t Julie just settle down? Why is Julie always doing things that make her sick? What is Julie’s problem? Why is Julie so weird?

They were often said to my mom.

My mom and I both know what to say now- we have educated everyone we know about the illness. The Health Cards helped as they educated her first.

Now, I see it as an educational/informational opportunity.

Here is what I say:

I know my behavior seems odd… (fill in the behavior here). It’s normal for people with bipolar disorder to be this way- most of us have trouble with… (fill in the problem here!) We try hard to function in a normal way, but just like someone with a physical [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Suicide

Suicidal thoughts are normal when you have bipolar disorder.

I remember driving one day when I was very stressed and unhappy. I was on a busy road and saw a red light up ahead. My mind said, “Julie, you can just run that red light and a car will hit you and all will be taken care of!” These thoughts used to scare me a lot. I now know they’re a response to stress. When I told my friend Lani this story she said, “Well, your brain thought is was helping!”

So true. These thoughts are not real. They are manufactured by a bipolar brain. Don’t believe them.

If you are suicidal right now, you have options other than killing yourself.

#1 Say to yourself: I have bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts are normal. Say it over and over again until you get help.

#2 Call anyone and do anything to get help and be [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Exercise

I’ve had a lot of physical injuries since my bipolar disorder diagnosis in 1995. A lot of it has to do with the 23 medications I tried. The up and down weight gain and the stress the meds put on my immune system have really taken a toll!

These days I focus on my physical health all day long. I still struggle with my diet-oh well. The future can always be different.

But I always exercise.

Why am I writing this? Because our physical bodies are something we can control when we have bipolar disorder. Most of us can exercise- even when depressed.

I remind myself that the depression in my life is a reality- but so is my ability to take care of my body when my mind is not healthy.

What do you think?

Exercise makes us feel good!

Julie

[ Read More ]

A reader shares her life experiences with bipolar mania.

Hey, Julie. I was just listening to your radio show on iTunes. I am a little behind. I thought, it was funny, they did not give you any information when you were first diagnosed. In 1999, I (at 23 years old) was very manic and I was told I was Bipolar.

They gave me some pills and the doctor told me and my family to look it up on the Internet. Which just fueled my manic state because I was like you- I needed more help.

I do not have the support of my whole family. I have three brothers and three sisters. So some of them act like I am the only one with a problem. But I have the support of my best friend and her mother who understand me, and they understand what being Bipolar is like for me. I [ Read More ]

Bipolar 101 Group Coaching Call Thank You!

Wow. Thank you for all of your support for the Bipolar Disorder 101 group coaching call. I really appreciate the comments and am glad so many people enjoyed the call. I know I’m a speed demon! I will send out the number to access the recording this weekend, so please check back on the blog. The Group Coaching tab on the menu bar has information on the next coaching events.

Thanks to the over 100 people who joined the call! Julie

PS: We had listeners from Australia, Japan and England. Great!

Click below to find out how to listen to a recording of the call for free. You can download the call as well.

Click here to listen to the Bipolar Disorder 101 Coaching Call

Julie

PS: This is a great call for [ Read More ]

Newsletter: Lamictal and bipolar disorder sleep problems

Hi Julie,

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar.I am now taking Lamictal. The only side effect Ive had is sleeplessness. I ‘ sleep, I cant sleep, I quit coffee. I quit drinking coke. I have done everything to sleep. I get maybe 3 hours if ‘ lucky. I’m new to this drug on my first week so I am on a low dosage. 25mg. for the first 14 days. Does this get better?? Do you sleep finally as the dose gets bigger! UGH!!

Hi Deborah,

There are so many different side effects with each drug. The drugs can even cause opposite side effects such as making one person sleepy and the other revved up. I have not heard of Lamictal causing sleeplessness, but it’s certainly a possibility. Also, that really is a small dose. It’s very good to start small and go [ Read More ]