Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Friends and the Health Cards

Before I wrote the Health Cards to help manage my bipolar disorder- my friends had no idea what was going on with me. Actually, I had no idea what was going on with me! I have taught my friends how to use the cards. They know my symptoms now- because I showed them my symptoms from the third column in the cards. This isn’t an intuitive thing to do. Many people with bipolar disorder keep silent about their symptoms. I couldn’t. They affected my friendships too much. I have a friend- a guy friend – who always asks me, ”Julie, when you say ‘I’m sick today’- what does that mean?” I am so impressed and thankful that he truly wants to know what bipolar [ Read More ]

Teenagers and a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

My bipolar disorder symptoms started with hypomania at 17. I didn’t realize this until I sat down and really thought about my teenage years. Many people have their first major episode in their 20’s- mine started earlier. My ex partner had a lot of depression before he had his first major manic/psychotic episode at 22. That was a terrible time for sure. When I think back of what he told me about college- he was definitely depressed for a long time. He told me he thought about suicide when he was a little kid. He didn’t have an episode after that for a long time- then college at 19 and he got depressed and left school.

If you have bipolar disorder, it’s really interesting to write a paragraph about what you remember [ Read More ]

Work Your Way Out of Bipolar Depression

This is a long blog because it’s such an important topic- depression and work!

A friend of mine told me he was so depressed last week he watched TV all day on his day off. Of course he felt awful and wished he had done something different. I reminded him that this was very rare- since we have been working together, he has been much more productive and rarely has one of those Wheel of Fortune, soap opera, the Price is Right days!

I reminded him that depression has SO many ways to wreck our lives. It can be:

– Agitated. This is where we can’t sit still, we feel restless, can’t sleep and generally can’t sit down. We can be pretty snarky and snippy at these times.

– ADHD symptoms. This kind of depression makes it hard to focus and we tend to walk around aimlessly and get nothing done.

– Catatonic. This is [ Read More ]

Relief for Parents

Bipolar has been terrible on my mom. She spent so many years trying to figure out how to help me. To be honest, I didn’t know what would help me before I started my Health Cards!

Things are so different now. Sometimes I get mad at her when she says, “Julie, you’re showing the signs of mania. You have to be careful. Are you doing something about it?” I taught her to ask these questions and it helps, but I often just think, good god woman! Just leave me alone!

I am a mess without her help though- she sees what I can’t. We are a team.

I still don’t think my father really understands me- we live in different states. But I know he is trying. He has read my books [ Read More ]

Don’t Forget to Read the Comments!

Many of the posts on this blog have insightful, interesting and very helpful comments after my posts. I read every comment and I learn so much from all of you!

Julie

Set a time to exercise with a friend every week. Rain or shine.

When depression makes it difficult for you to get out of the house, having plans with a dependable friend really helps. When you walk with someone you care about – or maybe even a new friend, you not only get the benefits of the exercise, but talking with the person can often take your mind off depression. Set a time to walk at least once a week.

Find someone you can talk to about your plan to walk on a schedule and ask them to pick you up. If you know someone is arriving at a certain time, you are more likely to get ready. You have to be a part of this as well. Make a rule with yourself that you won’t cancel. Even if you feel too depressed

I’m always [ Read More ]