Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Well, eight hours of sleep is so amazing for me. I actually woke up and wanted to do a little jig. I’m what I call an undersleeper. I was actually talking with my friend Kristin yesterday- she’s the author of Bipolar and Pregnant, and we spent a long time talking about bipolar disorder and sleep. Here are all the ways bipolar and meds affect our sleep:

#1. Kristin talked about problems with Topamax. She has no idea if it affects sleep- but she’s pretty sure it affects memory. Kristin uses Lunesta to sleep.

#2. When I’m depressed, I have agitated sleep which means my brain doesn’t shut down at night. Bother! I now use Ativan to sleep.

#3. Of course, mania is the biggest problem. I rapid cycle a lot, so on the nights I can actually fall asleep normally and get 7-8 hours of rest is pretty great. Unfortunately, falling asleep without sleep meds is very rare for me.

#4 . Excessive tiredness from medications- especially some anti depressants. Whew, I used to get so tired my lips got numb and I slept 14 hours a day. I’m now on Lithium.  The tiredness is tough and I sometimes have to take a few 30 minute naps during the day.

My coauthor Dr. John Preston says that regulating sleep is the #1 way to manage the illness. How is your sleep?

It”s ok to take sleep meds if you need them. I had a real struggle with my ativan until I realized I wasn’t sleeping enough unless I used it.  So I use it.

Julie

** A note from Deborah:

I first met Julie two years ago at a writing conference. She was there to teach an e-publishing class; I was a volunteer at the Command Central Desk. Rushing up to the desk that Friday morning,  Julie asked if anyone could copy some handouts that she needed her class had already started.  I reached out, grabbed the originals and sprinted to the other side of the building. Nothing is worse than thinking you have everything ready to go and finding the opposite is true.

Julie, with her full class of aspiring writer-publishers, soon had her handouts. Later, when she returned to the desk,  I asked her how the class went and told her that I’d wanted to take the course,   but had had a conflict.  Pulling a handout from her stack,  she smiled and said, “Well, take this one,” and hurried away.

As I scanned the syllabus, I saw that she offered a free consult for writers. I emailed my application and was fortunate to be scheduled. When Julie and I met, she gave me some much-welcomed tips about e-publishing.  She then asked me about my novel. I offered that Light Fixtures was the story of a female protagonist who deals with the onset of teen bipolar. With bright eyes, Julie leaned forward and said excitedly, “What? Really?”

You must understand that at the time I knew Julie as an expert in e-publishing. I did not know that she was THE Julie Fast,  the expert in bipolar disorder. Pointing out that the novel was one of the few YA novels dealing with teen bipolar disorder,  she asked that I guest-blog about Light Fixtures.  It’s now on sale and Julie said- “Tell people about it! So many people look for information about teens and bipolar and now you have written about it!”

Light Fixtures is a coming-of-awareness novel set in the Deep South in 1963. The story features 14-year-old Aurora, who’s all about moving fast. But her fast thoughts and actions often cause those around her to shake their heads in bafflement,  especially when her spirits nosedive. Then,  in the depth of the woods behind her grandparent’s home,   life changes when she meets the mystical Mr. Hematite and his assistant,  Mr. Dragonfly. Together,  they guide her in understanding the onset of her bipolar moods and show her that as Light Fixtures,  everyone has the potential to glow with balance and brilliance.

Why did I write Light Fixtures? After writing many nonfiction works such as TV documentaries and a book on the human-animal connection,  I wished to tell a story based in truth,  yet dressed by the imagination. Other factors for my decision included growing up in northwest Louisiana,  the setting, and being familiar with bipolar mood disorder within the family.

As light fixtures are devices used to create illumination, I chose the title as a metaphor as to who Aurora and all of us are:  beings who,  no matter what our limitations – even bipolar disorder — have the ability to shine.

Light Fixtures is the first book of a YA series featuring Aurora as she deals with her emerging bipolar moods in high school and beyond.

Deborah

PS:  Hi,  it’s Julie. It was a special day for me when Light Fixtures was available on the Kindle.  I know what it takes to put out a book.

I read most of my books off the Kindle these days.  If you don’t have a Kindle,  you can download the Kindle app to any phone or tablet.  And..you can read it on your computer too!

I was born in Alabama and I had one of my first manic episodes in the hot summer of the deep south as well.  This book brought back so many memories. I know you will enjoy it.  You can also read more about Deborah at http://www.lightfixturesthebook.com/

Happy Reading!

Hi! I was  interviewed in a publication called Dolce- Dolce about my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed. The topic is on beating the blues.  We all need tips on this topic.

Click here to read the article.

Julie