Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Happens is a Kindle Bestseller!

Bipolar Happens: 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder is a top ten book on the Kindle!

That’s exciting. I went to the Kindle store to see how Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder were doing on the bipolar disorder page. These books are in the top ten ranking- and then I saw that Bipolar Happens! is up there as well.

Fantastic! Bipolar Happens! is an enjoyable book about a serious topic.

Guess what- it’s only $.99 I want it to be available to everyone.

Yes, I think this is a great deal and a good way to get helpful information about bipolar disorder at minimum cost. Bipolar Happens! was my first book. I knew I wanted to talk about how I manage the illness, but [ Read More ]

I Left My Bipolar Meds at Home!

Here is a note from a reader: Roselyn

Julie, I’ve been a fan of the blog and your books for years. I really follow what you suggest and it has made a huge difference. I think you will find the following story interesting as it is an example of when I didn’t follow what you suggested- and things didn’t go well!

Like you, I take Lamictal. It works very well for me- but it’s always a balance in terms of dosage. I actually did something really stupid last weekend. I went out of town to speak to a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) group and forgot to take my Lamictal!

I was freaked out about it- but I thought that missing a few days shouldn’t be too much of [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and School

I recently had an email asking if a person with bipolar disorder can finish school.

Well, sure they can! But….

There is always a but…

College is the same thing as work. It’s a stimulating environment with a lot of people and a lot of pressure. Bipolar disorder doesn’t like this. It took me eight years to finish college. I didn’t have a treatment plan then. In fact, I didn’t know I had bipolar disorder! The diagnosis explains a lot.

As with any stressful situation, the solution is planning.

You will need a treatment plan before college starts.

I have to be honest and say I can’t go to school full time. It’s too stressful for me- but I can go part time! Many friends of mine with bipolar have master’s [ Read More ]

When Does Adult Onset Bipolar Disorder Start?

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. This is actually a very common time to have a first mood swing. 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. So his first major depression was at age 19- but the minor stuff was already there. [ Read More ]

Having a clear mind is the goal of bipolar disorder treatment

My Mind Is Blank (at least for a few days!)

I never thought that I would see the day when I actually would have a blank mind. Sometimes I have to even think about what to think about. I’ve never really had this happen in my life. When you have bipolar disorder, your mind is usually filled with a bunch of garbage. Talking, music, other noises, unwanted thoughts; it’s like one big garbage dump. I know that sounds pretty harsh, but it’s definitely how I’ve experienced many days in the past few years.

Having a clear mind is the goal of bipolar disorder treatment.

Everything that I do, everything that I choose, everything that I say it’s all with the intention of having a clear mind. [ Read More ]

Newsletter: Keep Your Friendships Strong! Focus on Facts- not BIPOLAR Disorder FEELINGS!

Many people are encouraged to get in touch with their feelings and let go and experience life! I think that’s great- for most people. But there are those of us who can’t trust our feelings at all. For example, a friend and I went to karaoke the other night when I was really depressed – When her other friends came in, I felt she was ignoring me. My mind started to foresee the end of our relationship! It said, “How can she do this to me! What kind of friend is she! I am just going to leave without even saying goodbye! That will show her!”