Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

When I get together with my friends who have bipolar disorder, we naturally talk about how rotten this illness is and how meds work but have side effects and the sleep issues are horrible, etc.

But we ALWAYS tell our mania stories. Here are a few great ones: (These are often the behaivors that lead to a diagnosis.)

I was really manic one night and was out drinking (of course) and couldn’t find my lipstick. I went into the bar’s bathroom and outlined my lips with a red Sharpie pen!

I thought I was going to be a model, so I flew to Japan using my college savings and went straight to a modeling agency in the Harajuku section of Tokyo. I got a job that week. I thought I was beautiful and I guess that I had so much confidence that I came across gorgeous on camera!

I left my parnter, got on a train from Seattle to L.A, got a China visa, got on a plane, went to Beijing, asked a taxi driver to take me to a Chinese school. I learned to speak darn good Mandarin Chinese in four weeks. I basically had a photographic memory. (For those of you who have heard me speak, you will know this is a true Julie story!)

Hey, we have to laugh at something! Laughing at our manic behaviors is pretty fun sometimes.

julie

We have to learn an entirely new language when bipolar disorder comes into our lives. 

Here is some very basic information:

There are two types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar one and Bipolar two. The difference between the two is mania.

Bipolar One: Those diagnosed with bipolar I (one) experience depression along with full blown mania. 

70% of these full blown  manic episodes involve psychosis ..and hospitalization is common, especially during a first episode. (The age of this episode is usually teens to early 20s.)

Biopolar Two: Those with bipolar II (two) have depression with a milder form of mania called hypomania.   Hypomania is milder than full blown mania, but can still be very destructive financially, sexually,  in the work place and for all relationships.

All forms of mania can be destructive in a very short amount of time, especially if a person makes a life changing decision when ill.

Rapid Cycling: If a person has four or more mood swings a year, they receive a rapid cycling diagnosis. (Four or more! Some of us have four or more a week!)

It’s personal: Each person has their own mood swings cycle which is why an individual management plan is so essential- but it’s rarely possible to successfully manage moodswings without some good meds.

The mood swings can come out of nowhere and slam through life with little warning. True!

Gosh, is there any good news!

Yes, if you know what type of bipolar disorder you have- Bipolar I or Bipolar II- you will know whether you’re dealing with full blown mania or hypomania.  People with  Bipolar I usually get hypomanic before going into the full blown mania.  This is especially imporant info for family, friends, health care professionals and partners.  You have to know the signs of the mild mania so it never goes too far.

The stonger the management plan, the better control you can have on the mania! I use my Bipolar Health Cards to keep my life on track. But… the mood swings are still a common companion! We just have to keep going. Onward!

Julie

I’m spending some time finding out what is currently going on with Charlie Sheen. I came across an interiew he did right when he was manic.  I watch the interviewer and I think- what is going through your head! Can’t you see this is an ill man? He isn’t even making sense.

He has now lost his job, most of his friends, his father Martin Sheen said he could not help him.

What’s next?  Do you know what’s going on with him now? I would love an update.  I will keep you posted on what I find out.

Julie