Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

email… stress….

Beware of using email while in a bipolar disorder mood swing…. Email can be a terrible tool when you have bipolar disorder…. I really can’t stress this enough. If you look back over my blogs for the past few years, you will see that I always have trouble with email when I’m not doing well. This is not only about having too much email- it’s about getting obsessed with email.

Email is also a poor communication tool if you are having trouble with a relationship.

Tip:

– If you find yourself obsessively waiting for someone’s email, examine the real problem- the situation that is causing the obsession. Are you doing something unhealthy? Is it something you can stop? Good questions to ask.

As you can tell, I have [ Read More ]

From Lamictal to Generic Lamotrigine 2009

From 2009…..

I’m just plain worn out!

I honestly think that switching to the generic Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has made me more tired. I know it has increased my other side effects. As I’ve said in a lot of other posts, it’s working exactly the same as Lamictal in terms of mood swings. Which is good! But I am not myself physically. I am sure this will end, but it’s definitely proof that generics are not the same as the original product in terms of the non active ingredients. If you look under the Lamictal category on the right, you can read some great discussions on what it was like for those of us who went from Lamictal to generic Lamotrigine!

I wonder who else has had trouble changing to a generic? I’m not even sure if trouble is the right word as [ Read More ]

It Will Be Summer Soon!

There are so many great things about summer!

The sun!

There are so many risky things about the summer!

The sun!

Watch out for summer mania. This is when it hits people the hardest. I want you to be healthy so that you can look at the sunflowers- like my nephew David!

Julie

Check out our beautiful guest bloggers. They are amazing!

Dawn....Guest Blogger

You can read more about the guest bloggers when you click on the guest bloggers category to the right. Their stories are impressive!

Depression, Exercise and USA Fit

There is a great group in the US called USA Fit (usafit.com) that helps people walk or run marathons. Don’t worry! You can just do the group without doing the marathon, but I did a ten mile walk once! This is a great way to stay healthy and meet lots of new people.

Click here to go to the USA Fit web page.

Depression is isolating- but just doing one thing that makes you get outside the house can cut your depression symptoms in half in one day. No kidding. My motto is: I want to go to bed feeling better than when I got up.

That motto really helps on the tough days. This is why I wrote the book Get it Done When You’re Depressed. I wanted [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Work Problems

I received this comment on the blog when I woke up this morning. It’s a timely one as I’m having work issues myself! Here is the comment and my reply.

I have been diagnosed with bi-polar after 4 attempts at suicide. I’m sitting here now, wishing i was not here. Thinking things like my girlfriend could have someone who has loads of money, nice house ect… all the things i dont have. im very tired of life right now, and cannot see it getting any better, or my wealth changing.. definatly not in the near future! The thing is, i know deep inside i am better than this. i know i can get a better paid job ect But and i dont know if it is having bi polar, i odnt have the courage [ Read More ]