Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder, Work and College

Here is a wonderful comment from Gerry in Australia. Yes, you can work full time and go to school when you have bipolar disorder!

G’Day all. I am new to the blog, but would like to say something positive on this issue which I hope will encourage everyone else with bipolar. I’m lucky because I don’t suffer from some of the worst symptoms of bipolar & also was rather old when I had my first psychotic episode. So before that I managed to get a BA with Honours & a Phd. Now I am a full time academic in Politics. It was only after working full time for 7 years that I discovered that I had bipolar. It does impact my work sometimes, but my Dept. has been very good about making some allowances.

I have published 2 books and many articles. I have learned Spanish and travelled to Latin America on my own to do field research on numerous occasions.

You too can succeed!

As a teacher who has studied all I can say: Go to “college” as you call it in the States. Go do it!

Dr. Gerry

Food Signs that You’re Manic

You don’t eat like you usually do.

You haven’t had a vegetable in days.

Your fridge is empty.

You can’t remember your last meal.

You smoke more.

You drink more alcohol or coffee.

You have more energy even when you don’t eat.

You lose weight really easily.

Yes, if you’re overweight this can be one of the only positive things about mania. But if you’re already thin, this can lead to serious weight loss and dehydration. I definitely know people who have had to go to the hospital for an IV after a serious manic episode where they didn’t (or couldn’t) take care of their bodies.

Hypomania has always knocked on my door in the summer. I’m doing every single thing I can to monitor it now that summer is here. Wow. I sure do love the weight loss- but I will not let mania affect my life. It’s time for the Health Cards and asking for help.

Do you get manic in the summer? Do you have any of the above symptoms? What are you going to do?

Julie

Return to Bipolar Happens

Keep Going! Julie!

I just found this blog. It’s from August of 2007! One scary thing is that I still go through what I write about below. The great thing is that my management skills have grown exponentially as the years pass. I’ve learned that even if bipolar disorder doesn’t go away- I can progress with my life.

Keep Going Julie

I need to remind myself of this today. When I got out of bed this morning my first thought was:

There is nothing good in my life.

This was my first thought! How am I supposed to have a good day after this? There is nothing wrong with my life really. Today is like my other days. I will write my book, see friends, play with my nephew and work with a writing student tonight. I will then go see my mom and watch our favorite TV show: Dancing with the Stars! Don’t laugh, I highly recommend this show as it’s so positive. 😉

But then there is the thought from this morning- and the other thoughts it caused. And of course the crying that starts when I think of how unfair bipolar disorder is.

But I will NOT let this keep me from getting things done today. I am here at the library writing my book. I will have a good lunch. I will see people and do the things I’ve planned. I may not feel good about it, but I know that energy of others will keep me going no matter how depressed I am.

I will not give up and let this rotten illness take this day from me.

Julie

PS: Where are you today as compared to 2007? What is going well?

I just love bipolar disorder……

It is the 4th of July. I had a great time at my brother’s birthday party yesterday- and I am going to a party with my good friends Marsha and Adam in a few hours. And I just felt my mood sweep down and I had this thought:

I don’t have any friends.

In the past, these thoughts plagued me and I didn’t know what to do about them. I have plenty of friends. But the thoughts still try to control me! As you probably know either through personal experience or seeing it in a loved one, bipolar causes thoughts that ARE NOT REAL- but they feel real. And if we say them out loud or act on them, they become real- especially to others. So, when I had this ridiculous thought – I said to myself, “Julie, this is a bipolar thought. It’s not true. Get up and do something. It will pass.”

This little down swing is from holiday stress and the often real feelings that come up around bipolar depression- such as worrying I am not well liked or that my life is pointless.

It’s hard to live with these thoughts- but with the help of my treatment plan and my meds- they are not as common as they used to be.

How are you?

Here I am at my brother’s party: (I’m the one in the glasses)

4th of Julie

Today is a huge holiday in the States. It can be a really fun holiday- but it can be a tough one as well!

– If you’re alone- look on meetin.org or craigslist see if you can find a group of people to meet for a fireworks show. It doesn’t hurt to try!

– If you’re like me and can’t stand the noise of fireworks and all of the crowds- leave early after you have said hi to everyone- or don’t go at all!

– It’s ok not to join in the party. It’s not like you’re getting paid for it! I always say that opting out is a good biploar disorder management technique!

I have two parties with friends today. I am going to sit and talk to people- when I get overstimulated- and i will- I’m not going to listen to the voices that tell me I’m not as good, skinny or rich as the people around me and I’m going to have fun.

Julie

this is pretty funny.. I just read the title and realize I write 4th of Julie instead of 4th of July. Ha ha

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 I also wanted to tell stories about how it affects my life daily.

There are stories about anger, manic spending, anxiety at a baseball game and what it feels like to be psychotic! It’s a book that family members love too. I love it myself. It’s hopeful.

Click here to go to amazon.com. You can read part of the book and then add it to your Kindle. Wow, $.99!

Julie

PS: If you’re new to my work, this is a great way to experience my writing style and the quality of my information. If you like it, you can come back for more!