Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Looking back on 2007 MHA journalism award for BP Magazine column

Time Goes So Fast. I remember when I won this. It was one of the first times I’d flown in years. Meeting everyone was fun- I did deal with the inevitable anxiety- but I reminded myself that I didn’t have to go to every event. That helped. I remember being stressed in the airport. Now airports give me no trouble at all. Progress.

It’s easy to think that you have done your best work when you were younger and see an accomplishment in 2007 as something that won’t happen again. That is what depression wants you to believe. One minute it’s 2007 and then it’s 2012. I ask myself- what have I done in between? How would you answer that? Have I done enough?

We can do ANYTHING at ANY AGE. What happened in the past can be awesome or awful- but what matters is what you do now. (That was a pep talk to myself.)

People can have huge accomplishements, but if they are not happy, it means nothing. Others can have less dramatic lives and be very happy.

Julie

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

The term rapid cycling can be very confusing. I recently asked my co-author Dr. John Preston for a clear explanation:

Rapid cycling is at least four discrete episodes during a 12 month period (these can be mania, hypomania, or depression). The term ultra-rapid cycling is not precisely defined but many refer to this as having possibly monthly cycles (e.g. 12 per year)….untradian cycling is where there are not really discrete manic or depressive episodes, but the person is extremely emotionally labile, with chaotic and intense mood changes that occur every day or several times during a day. One way to describe it is that they experience intense emotional instability….some mood shifts are in response to stressful events (e.g. an argument with a friend), but some are unprovoked (seem to come out of the blue and not associated with a specific trigger)

** Thanks John.

Do you have rapid cycling? If you’re not sure, talk to your doctor. This is important information as it can affect the drugs you take and how you deal with triggers. My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder talks about the different types of bipolar disorder diagnoses and how they relate to rapid cycling. I have ultradian rapid cycling, which is why I have to be so very careful with triggers. I do have very distinct depression and mania episodes. This shows you how the terms can describe part of your diagnosis, but not see the whole picture. Ultradian is a new term that isn’t used much. The term ultra-rapid cycling is more common. It’s very important that you know if you have bipolar one or bipolar two and if rapid cycling is part of your diagnosis.

Julie

Bipolar is the same all over the world

Bipolar is the same all over the world….

Depression rates change from country to country. Bipolar disorder is not so choosy. Statistically, bipolar disorder is an equal opportunity employer. In other words, a person with bipolar disorder in South America is exactly the same as a person with bipolar disorder in North America. Despite this, the way the illness are diagnosed and discussed differs widely from country depending on stigma, mental health awareness and accessible health care. So many people think that bipolar disorder is different depending on what country you live in. It’s not. It’s the same whether you’re from Thailand or Australia, Qatar or Canada. I use those countries specifically because I know people who live there use the Health Cards System to find stability.

It’s estimated that 4-6% of the people in the US have bipolar. I think it’s higher. Julie

Sinead O’Connor cancels 2012 tour due to bipolar disorder, says she is ‘very unwell’

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish singer of Nothing Compares to U, just announced that she is cancelling her latest tour due to her bipolar disorder. I admire her so very much. I remember when she told the world that she has the illness. It definitely explained her behavior in the 80s. (Tearing up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live, etc.)

We are the same age and have done many of the same dumb things- of course they are not dumb, just bipolar. Last year she was married for 16 days and then got divorced. It sounds like Sinead was pretty manic.

Many of us have been there.

I married my first husband Dan after spending a month together. I moved in with my ex Ivan after knowing him for a week.

Here is the first paragraph of a Washington Post article on her announcement:

NEW YORK — Sinead O’Connor says she is canceling her 2012 tour due to her bipolar disorder.

The singer made the announcement Monday in a posting on her website. She wrote that she is “very unwell” and had been advised by her doctor to not hit the road after her “very serious breakdown between December and March.”

Oh Sinead, so admirable! If only all of those in the public eye could be as forthcomig- I know it’s not possible, but we can wish! I don’t think anyone will judge her for having bipolar and I don’t think people will stop going to her concerts. What do you think?

I once had to quit a book project because I was so sick. My letter to my editor sounded just like her announcement.

Bipolar disorder is an illness. It affects us all in the same way- famous or not famous.

Julie

PS: The picture is of Sinead in the 80s.

Short Bipolar Questions- Short Bipolar Answers

How do I get a bipolar disorder diagnosis? The only way is from a licensed health care professional who understands the symptoms of the illness, especially mania. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner are good first choices. The diagnosis is easy if the health care professional knows what they are looking for.

Is it bipolar? Am I Bipolar? Good questions. Moods are not bipolar disorder- nor are relationship or work troubles necessarily a sign of bipolar disorder. The absolutely only way you can have bipolar disorder is if you have had mania. Find a good mania quiz online and see what you find. Then make an appointment with a health care professional and get a real diagnosis.

Remember, without mania, there is no bipolar disorder so check there first.

What is bipolar syndrome? Bipolar syndrome is just another name for bipolar disorder. The illness was originally called manic depression- then bipolar disorder started in the 80s. People now say bipolar illness and bi-polar disorder. Bipolar syndrome is not used very often in the states. Other countries have different ways of talking about the illness. For example, England may say bipolar affective disorder. But it all means the same thing!

Julie

Bipolar Disorder Mania and Grandiose Thoughts

There is a symptom of mania that isn’t talked about very often- egotistical thoughts- the technical term is grandiose thoughts.

I remember when my former partner first started to get sick. He is such a mild mannered wonderful person who is always pretty low key. Before he went into the hospital, I found a paper where he had written, “I am a genius and I can’t tell anyone.”

I had no idea what this meant at the time. This didn’t fit his personality at all! And even though I’d had hypomania since I was 17, I couldn’t identify with the genius thing. As my bipolar has gotten worse, I do go into ‘I’m the greatest person in the world’ mode once in a while. I can laugh about it! I just have to make sure I write it all down on my Mania Health Card. And I never say the thoughts out loud. That would be a real problem.

I write about my experience with Ivan being sick in Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder. I can honestly say I wish I’d had that book when he got out of the hospital!

Spring is here in the US. You need a mania plan. And family members need to know what to do as well. Never forget, mania peaks in the summer!

Julie

PS: Hi Julie, I love this post. When my son gets manic, he is so self centered he won’t even let us talk. He acts like he knows EVERYTHING even physics and how Hollywood works and how to work on a car. It drives us all crazy! Bonnie