Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

BP Magazine. How Do You Define Acceptance?

BP Magazine asked all of the bloggers to write about accepting the bipolar disorder diagnosis. This was actually a hard topic to write about. There are a few different kinds of acceptance when it comes to bipolar disorder- I wrote about what it means to me and then had a revelation. Here is the first paragraph of the post and then a link to the magazine blog. (If you don’t have a subscription to the awesome magazine- I highly suggest trying it out. I learn so much- it’s good for family, partners and health care professionals too!)

Blog: How do You Define Acceptance?

I “accepted” my bipolar diagnosis with great joy. I was glad to have a name for what I was going through. I remember sitting in an unknown psychiatrist’s office in Seattle in 1995 after I returned from my manic trip to China. (Of course I had no idea that it was mania!) I took a survey and the psych asked me about 10 questions- she said, “Julie, you are a classic case of rapid cycling bipolar two. That was easy to accept.

My problem has been accepting that the illness is never going to go away……

Here is the link to the rest of the blog.

Your comments are what make blogs strong- the BP blog has a really big commenting readership. Feel free to add yours!

Julie

How do I talk to my boyfriend about his Lamictal dose?

I often get questions on how to talk a person with bipolar disorder about their medications. Here is a question from Cheryl. I use a tecnhnique called ‘scripts’ with all of my coaching clients. I explain a bit about scripts in my answer.

Hi Julie,

My boyfriend just started taking Lamcital about a year ago and his doctor only has him on 40 mg and it’s just not enough. After almost 20 years of refusing to take meds this is progress for sure, but both he and his doctor are being so very conservative I’m still waiting for the miracle to kick in. Don’t get me wrong, even at 40 mg it’s helped, but there is still irritably, cycling, sleeplessness, etc. His mom is at 400 mg so at least in theory he should be able to tolerate a higher dosage. How does one call attention to this issue without seeming to do so?

Thanks, Cheryl

Hello Cheryl,

Thanks for your question. As you know, I’m not a doctor. But 40mg of Lamictal is so low I’m surprised it’s working at all. We are all different of course- but when the therapeutic dose of Lamictal is 200mg, it makes sense to get close to that to see how much the Lamictal can really help. My coauthor Dr. John Preston is a psychopharmacology expert and he agrees! My mom is on 150 mg and my brother is on 300 mg. I am on 700 mg. (Yes, 700 mg.) We are all getting huge benefits from the Lamictal. If your boyfriend were stable, then it wouldn’t matter what the dose is- but since he is having symptoms, the dosage needs to be examined!

Regarding how to talk with him. I believe in a very direct approach. If you can’t talk to him about his meds, it will be hard on you to always have to tip toe around the topic. I teach all of my clients to talk directly with their loved ones- BUT there is a certain way you have to do it. I call the following example a script. This means you stick to it and use a tone of voice that is loving, light and yet firm.

Here is what I would say: I know that you and your doctor are trying to take things slowly. This usually means a few months at a time to increase a dose. Lamictal only works well when it’s at a therapeutic dose. All of the research shows that Lamictal works at around 200 mg. I know that you are working so hard to manage this illness. I’m really proud of you! I want the meds to make a difference. It will never hurt to try a higher dose and you can go from there.

I know you like your doctor and he wants to make sure you’re ok, but you’re also a part of this. It’s about team work. I have heard that Lamictal helps with depression, but it also calms down anger, rapid cycling, hypomania and sleep troubles. (I read it on Julie’s blog and she knows first hand!) I want to work with you on this. A lot of people don’t know that Lamictal helps a lot more than depression. I want you to be as stable as possible because I love you!

Go for it Cheryl!

Julie

How to Stop Worrying Forever.. a blog from Zeke Camusio

How about that for a title. My friend Zeke Camusio is an entrepreneur who has had a lot of business success. He is also interested in the psychology side of business. He wrote a blog post called How to Stop Worrying Forever. I like the concept. Here is the beginning of the blog and then a link for the rest. How can we apply this to bipolar disorder worry? It’s a good question.

Tuesday, November 01st, 2011 | Author: Zeke Camusio

I think we can all agree that worrying sucks. It’s a waste of energy, because nothing gets fixed by just worrying about it. We worry because we feel that by worrying we are in control of situations, but we all know that this is just an illusion.

I used to be a chronic worrier and for the last couple of years I’ve been experimenting different techniques and reading books on how to get rid of worry. This is, in a nutshell, what I’ve learned.

Click here to read the rest of Zeke’s blog.

Julie

Sold out: Group Coaching Calls for Parents of Children with Bipolar Disorder

The call is full. Thanks to all who signed up.

If you have any questions about the call, please send an email to Sheri at bp @ speakeasy.net.

Upcoming Calls: There will be a free call on Tuesday, November 22nd on the topic of holidays.

The blog and newsletter will have more details.

Group Coaching Calls with Julie

** When Love is Not Enough: Group Coaching Calls for Parents**

Have you ever thought the following? “My child is the one with bipolar disorder- but the illness has taken over all of our lives.”

The Bipolar Disorder 101 coaching call was a great success with over 100 people. My next series of calls is specifically for parents of teenagers and adult children with bipolar disorder.

If you are a parent of a child with bipolar disorder, these calls are for you.

I hope you can join me for this life changing series.

Julie

PS: I will have future calls for those with the illnes as well as partners.

Reader Question: Help with bipolar medication costs

Here is a question from Jasmin:

Julie,

I have no insurance and BP meds are very expensive, is the medication assistance for a single woman with BP disorder. I know I don’t qualify for medicaid benefits and so often I go without meds because of the price. Does anyone know where I can recieve assistance?

Jasmin

I know readers out there have many suggestions, please send them in for Jasmine and I will post them ASAP.

Here are two tips:

1. All of the drug companies have some form of assistance- from coupons to discounts. Go to the maker of your meds and look for the assistance program.

2. Generic meds are VERY cheap. If you can tolerate them- in other words, if they work for you- check out the Walmart pharmacy program. Some generics, such as Lamotrigine (the generic for Lamictal) can be as little as $7 a month.

I will leave the rest up to the readers!

Julie

Trust Me. I’m Dr. Ozzy!

I loved Trust Me, I’m, Doctor Ozzy. I have to give a warning- the language is pretty bad! Imagine as many F#$% this and F%$# that as posisble and you won’t be shocked.

What I find amazing about the book is the drug and alcohol chapter. Readers ask Ozzy all kinds of questions about any drug you can think of as well as what happened to him when he was a raging drunk and massive addict.

His answers are so honest- and very funny.

If you or someone you care about has a drug and or alcohol problem- along with bipolar- this is the perfect book to smack you in the face and wake you up as to what drugs and alcohol do to people with bipolar disorder.

He also answers some questions about what I call the new, psychotic pot.

I’m telling all of my coaching clients about this book as well -if you have a kid or partner who relates to the music and the lifestyle- this is the book to read. It changed me.

Click Here for the ink to read more about Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy on Amazon.com.