Rachel read a blog post about work and bipolar disorder. Here is her question:
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Thank You Julie. I have had so many jobs over the years, some more successful than others, but my illness always seems to get in my way. I have been sick for sev eral months again now, unemployed, but trying to get get better. I have the support of my husband, some understanding from my kids, but how do you forgive yourself? Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I face what you are going through all of the time. I miss months and months of work- but it’s a certain kind of work. If I’m busy and have deadlines I do better. If the work all comes from my mind- such as writing a book on my own, I find it [ Read More ]
I had a wonderful weekend at a writer’s conference. Because of this, I knew I had to be prepared for a downswing. It was inevitable. Bipolar disorder doesn’t care if I had a good time – it just noticed that things were different and that I was in an exciting environment.
I woke up slightly down and thought- oh well, I can get through this. Then I felt better! But it didn’t last. Within a few hours the bad thoughts started. First: I wish I were dead. And then: You’re Pathetic!
I always hear the ‘you’re pathetic’ voice when I get stressed. The ‘I wish I were dead’ is an old friend as well. One gets used to these stress companions.
That doesn’t make it easy, but at least I know my enemy. The [ Read More ]
All right bipolar brain! I’ve had enough! Shut up!
This is what I had to say to myself today when my brain would not leave me alone. I sat outside at a cafe to get work done today. The weather was great, my hands which often give me trouble were not bothering me and I was actually getting work done. But every time a couple walked by I had the thought- you will never be happy like them Julie. Or if I saw a baby- I had the thought- you’ll never have the experience of having a baby. I felt like my life was wasting away and that others were having so much more fun than I was.
This is the bipolar trap and luckily I know enough to eventually recognize what it is and [ Read More ]
Bipolar Mania: “Your brain is directly connected to your tongue.”
This is the way my friend Dr. Jay Carter describes people in a manic episode. He says, “Thoughts slip right past the frontal lobe and off the tongue. The person is talkative and has a hard time stopping. This is also called Pressured Speech. If this person doesn’t stop, you can tell they are really not listening to you- they are just trying to be patient until they can continue talking.”
He has an amazing talent for explaining bipolar disorder symptoms.
If you are not sure if a person is manic, listen to how they speak and compare it to how they normall speak. If you see pressured speech, it’s a good indication that mania has paid a visit.
I have pressured speech when I get manic. It feels like the words [ Read More ]
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. 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. It helps [ Read More ]
I have worked several years since my diagnosis by it always ended in disaster when I would have a manic state and try to reinvent the work environment I was in. This created havoc for my co workers that ended up in me being fired in on position of office manager. I was in charge of the accounting for a three million dollar a year practice, that ended with me having a breakdown and the books being investigated and them finding that I had times when my accounting was way out of whack. I was fired from this place and only because of the compassion of my employer charges weren’t brought against me. So henceforth I am very sceptical about my returning to work no matter how well i get in fear that it can all go wrong again [ Read More ]
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Rachel read a blog post about work and bipolar disorder. Here is her question:
