Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Mania Quiz

Mania Quiz

Have you:

Slept less but felt more energized?

Had the thought- Thank god the depression is gone, I feel SO much better.

Felt like spending more? Drinking more?

Do you feel more sexual than normal?

Are you eating less than you normally do?

If you answer yes to any of these, you know what it may mean. NO MANIA THIS YEAR has to be your motto.

Julie

Is it Bipolar Depression or Disappointment?

My dear friend and mentor John asked me this tonight when I told him about my rather tough day- well, very tough! He always reminds me that over the years I’ve changed- I can still get mood swings from certain situations, but they are more regulated now. It meant a lot to me when he said that.

I was asked to be on the Dr. Phil show this week and then it fell through. It was certainly disappointing! But it didn’t have to be depressing.

People often confuse ‘disappointment’ and ‘depression.’ If you have bipolar you know that they are extremely different! Disappointment has a focus- I am disappointed that I am not going to be on the Dr. Phil show as hoped.

Depression is very, very different. It doesn’t have a true focus- it just viciously attacks you and your life. “You are a failure Julie. Your books will never really sell. You life is pointless, you never get a break in your career”, etc etc. ad nauseum! It’s often what I call free floating.

Depression is not true. And I will not listen to it. I will PRAISE myself for what I have accomplished in life and keep going.

The trick is to learn to feel disappointment- as it’s real and normal- and then see what is happening with the depression and not letting it go too far.

I am proud of myself.

Julie

BP Magazine Blog Post: Bipolar Friendly Travel Tips

Kids are getting out of school. People are heading off for vacation. The sun is out and we want to have fun. Or maybe you’re depressed and yet still have to travel. These tips in this blog will help anyone
If you have bipolar disorder or care about someone with bipolar disorder, the travel tips in my Bp Magazine blog are a must read. I also love the comments. They are as helpful as the blog! I read all of them, so please leave your own. Click here to read the blog. Julie

Bipolar Disorder Medication Management

I just can’t seem to get my Lamictal regulated. I have had trouble remembering if I have taken my meds! It’s ridiculous. I’ve been taking this drug for three years! Why on earth would I suddenly have dosage problems?
Our bodies change over time- they change with stress too.

I’m going back to my measured medication box- the one that says Monday, Tuesday, etc on it. I have to get back on track as the withdrawal symptoms are really, really painful! I’m twitching and jerking pretty badly.

I wonder if you have medication problems? Many people do. A friend of mine just went off his antidepressants- but he did well. Another friend is reducing her anti psychotic- but she had to stop for a while to let her body acclimate to the lower dose. It’s all about the liver!

Julie

PS: Save the liver!

You will only get this joke if you watched Saturday Night Live in the 70s. If you have not seen the skit, it’s worth watching!

A Tough Bipolar Depression Day

I woke up sick and crying- darn depression and I was sick for much of the day. It’s always my goal to go to bed feeling better than when I woke up. Well, that won’t be hard tonight!

I told all of my friends that I’m sick. That way they know what to say when I call and cry. They say, “Julie, you’re depressed. It’s hard for you to see reality right now. ” And I know they are right.

I recently wrote about quitting the things that are making you ill. I know what is making me ill and I’m phasing it out of my life. I will get better and stay that way!

Julie

I hope the blog helps you keep going when you are depressed. Bipolar depression wants you to stop what you are doing until you are sitting around like a lump watching TV and eating potato chips. It doesn’t have to be that way. Ask for help, read Get it Done When You’re Depressed, ask a friend to come get you, go to a support group, check out www.meetin.org, do anything! Julie

Get it Done When You’re Depressed is the book I use the most in my own treatment plan. I think you will love it. It’s on amazon.com in hard copy and on the Kindle. It’s my bipolar companion book. Click here to visit amazon.com to read more about the book. I wish I could give this book to every depressed person in the world.

Does spirituality help bipolar disorder?

What role do you think spirituality plays in bipolar disorder?

Regarding spirituality and bipolar- I think that it totally depends on the person- some find that their faith is what keeps them alive- some find that the group nature of many religions gives them the companionship they need- others use meditation for stability and wellness.

Then, there are some like myself who are not sure about the topic- it’s always a question for me.

What about you? What helps you spiritually?

Julie

PS: I had NO idea this book existed!