Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder Medication Blog Posts

All of my blogs are divided into categories- you can see the list on the right- I’ve been consolidating them for the past few weeks. Here’s an example of what’s included in the medications category:

Medications: Abilify, tegretol, depakote, lithium, lamictal, lamotrigine, zyprexa, serequel, anti depressants, medical treatment of bipolar disorder, medications used to treat bipolar disorder, side effects, anti convulsants, anti psychotics, mood stabilizers, mania medications, depression medications, anxiety medications, talking with your doctor about medications, family members on medications, family members who refuse medications, medications in the news, what medications should a person with bipolar disorder take, etc etc!

Can you believe there is so much to learn about medications and bipolar disorder! If you just take an hour to read all of the blogs in this category, you will know more than most people on [ Read More ]

A letter from a partner of a person with bipolar disorder

Dearest Partner,

Here is what I need from you in our relationship:

1. TAKE YOUR MEDS.

2. Do the basics in order to stay stable. There are many things in your control that are easy to do.

3. Learn what your own bipolar disorder looks like and sounds like. You can then take care of yourself first and I can then help.

4. Think before you speak- yes, you can do this even when you are manic. Read about the Bipolar Conversation in Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder. We can read this book together.

5. Understand what it is like for me on the outside looking in. I have a very different experience of bipolar disorder than you do.

6. Let me in on your treatment including health care visits and medication changes.

[ Read More ]

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner

I remember driving home from the hospital after seeing my partner Ivan in the psych ward. I was sobbing in fear and hopelessness. It was 1994 and Ivan had just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I didn’t even know what it meant.

I had never heard of the illness. Was it curable? Was he faking?

The staff in the hospital were often wonderful, but I could tell they had ZERO idea of what I was going through. I had so many fears- I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know if he was going to die. I couldn’t work.

Does bipolar disorder last forever? How long would he be in the hospital?

What is psychosis? What is mania? Why is he saying such crazy things? Doesn’t he love [ Read More ]

A Special Sight at Karaoke

I am at my favorite karaoke bar in Portland, Oregon. A man completely dressed as a Klingon from Start Trek just sang Bon Jovi’s song Dead or Alive in the KLINGON language.

Only in Portland!

Julie

Get comfortable with uncomfortable bipolar disorder thoughts!

OMG. My brain says the most ridiculous things- things I would NEVER say on my own. It creates relationships that aren’t there- goes over conversations that never happened and then makes me feel like it’s all true. It has taken me years to realize that I can deny these thoughts- yell at these thoughts and beg them to go away- sometimes this works, sometimes is doesn’t. It’s very hard to live with a constant conversation in your head.

I’ve worked on this for 13 years, so I guess it’s a never ending battle! It’s defintely better. The most important thing is that I don’t act out on these thoughts like I used to. This has saved my relationships- especially with the new people that [ Read More ]

Newsletter: Bipolar Disorder and Paranoid Delusions

Parnoia is a type of psychosis called a delusion. A delusion is a false belief.

For example, paranoia can be the belief that you have done something wrong and that a person or an organization is upset with you. This is a scary delusion as it feels so real.

Paranoia used to really cause me a lot of trouble. I have worked hard so that I can at least recognize it before it makes me do something stupid.

I often get the feeling that my friends are ignoring me and that they have met friends they like a lot better than myself. It’s a terrible feeling. Luckily, I know the signs of paranoia and I don’t act on them, instead I call my friends and [ Read More ]