Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

BP Magazine Blog: Why Can’t I Take Anti Depressants or ADHD Meds if I Have Bipolar Disorder?

I am a regular columinist and blogger for BP Magazine. (If you don’t alreade receive this publication, it’s amazing. Especially for family members and partners.)

My BP Magazine blog is normally separate from this blog, but the one this week is so imporant, I want to post it in two places.

Here is the first paragraph of the blog- you can then click over to the mag site to read the rest:

Why Can’t I Take Anti Depresants or ADHD Meds if I Have Bipolar Disorder?

The answer is that you can- in some very carefully monitored situations. One of the main problems I see in my coaching clients is where a child or partner has a manic episode due to taking an antidepressant or stimulant. It’s a huge problem in the health care profession due to lack of information and the explanation below tells why!

Click here to read the rest on the BP Magazine blog.

Julie

PS: I also write a colum for the magazine- the topics are different from this blog as they are more personal. The magazine is awesome!

What Strategies Webinar Would You Find the Most Helpful?

My goal as a coach is to help as many partners and family members of loved ones with bipolar disorder as possible. If this applies to you, please click on the above poll- I can then find out what topics you would find the most interesting in a webinar.

Julie

Please note that I continue to work with private coaching clients.

Bipolar Disorder Sleep Problems and Sleep Medications

I havn’t been able to sleep on my own for about two years- and no, I am not talking about a relationship! I mean that I can’t sleep without sleep meds. This is a concern as my body is eating up the dose I’m on now and I’ve had to increase my amount.

When I say I can’t sleep, I mean that my eyes simply won’t close. It’s not insomnia. I’m not rolling around in bed getting upset that I can’t sleep, instead I just lie there and have the thoughts, “I’m not going to sleep tonight am I? It’s very worrisome, so I take the meds.

I know that there are many things I can change to help myself get to sleep naturally:

1. Stop ALL caffeine – and that means all: tea, chocolate, cola, etc etc. I rarely have regular coffee, so that is not a problem, but I sure do drink tea during the day.

2. Stop eating late at night. The body is trying to process the food and this takes energy and keeps me awake.

3. Make sure my meds aren’t affecting my sleep. I’m on Lamictal (700mg!) and I know it doesn’t affect sleep.

4. Be careful with relationships and make sure you keep stable. I’m defintely doing this the Health Cards keep me as stable as possible. (You can read about the Health Cards from the menu link)

and finally, go to be earlier without reading police procedural murder mysteries! 😉

Do you have sleep problems with bipolar disroder- outside of mania? What do you do to get to sleep?

Julie

PS: Make sure you check out the comments on this post. They are great. I didn’t know others said the same thing I say. Terry said, “I’m simply not going to sleep tonight.” I agree with that sleep meds help me so much. I’m doing a combination of Ativan with some over the counter melatonin products- they work. But as Fenny says- our bodies adapt and we have to talk with our health care professionals about our options. This is where a naturopath can really help!

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Guest Blogger from Lebanon: Ziad

I’m 46, married, and have 2 great kids: Jad and Mira, they study at the National Protestant College. I was born from a Muslim father and a Christian mother. I have been working at the American University of Beirut (lucky me) for 26 years. I’m also a writer by hobby: I have 2 poetry collections and 2 novels and I write weekly in a local paper.
Personally I’m doing fine with bipolar depression; thanks to the medical insurance at AUB and my great DR Munir Khani.and thanks to my wife, kids, family and friends. Bipolar people need a lot of understanding people around them; and we in Lebanon, family has survived and social life is still booming.
I’m doing fine with my BP because it has taught me to be patient, accept myself and protect my privacy and peace of mind. When I’m not OK, I stay away from people, walk along the sea shore, and find solace in painting and writing.
Living in Beirut is not so easy. It is a hectic city, a lot of politics and tension. but I love the city and I adore it, because it is an open city; here we have all the world; it is like a window to the world, where east and west meet.
My advice to all the bipolar people is one sentence: accept yourselves, so that people can accept you.
Good luck & and enjoy the ups and downs!
Regards, Ziad

Julie A. Fast Family and Partner Coaching: A Conversation with a Worried Mother and a Defiant Daughter pt 1

The following is a sample conversation you may have experienced if someone you love isn’t getting the help they need to manage bipolar disorder.

Marcee is a 28 year old woman who has been in and out of the hospital since her early 20s. She can’t hold a job, goes through constant boyfriends, drinks beer, smokes pot and gets very, very angry if anyone tries to talk to her about making positive changes in her life. Here is a sample dialogue:

Mom: Marcee, I really need you to see how bad things are right now. You never leave your apartment and your dad and I don’t know what do to. We’ve tried everything. You refuse your medications and I know you’re drinking again. What are your plans Marcee? We want to help you. We don’t know what to do!

Marcee: (cuts off her mom and yells): Leave me alone mom! Just leave me alone and get out of my apartment. If you are going to go on and on about this, there is no point in being here. Why don’t you go examine your own problems and just leave me alone? I don’t know why you’re on my case. The doctors were not sure when they saw me and I don’t have a real diagnosis of anything. Stick to your own life.

The conversation continues below…..

Julie A. Fast Partner and Family Coaching: A Conversation Between a Worried Mother and Her Defiant Daughter pt. 2

continued from above post….

Mom: You dad and I are so worried! Can’t you see what is happening? This isn’t a life. We don’t want this life for your Marcee! You can’t work! We are giving you money just so you can buy food. You have bipolar and need medications. (Starts crying.)

Marcee: If you really want to help me mom, you will leave me alone and just let me do things my way. I will not talk about bipolar disorder. Not everything is about you. I’ve told you that I’m fine. Do you think I’m just out there having a great time? I’m thinking about things! If you guys don’t leave me alone, I’m gone.

So many family members have gone through this conversation with someone who is obviously in great need of help. Their loves one’s world is often crumbling around them and for many, not much is left due to the constant mood swings. My goal as a coach is to help family members and partners learn exactly what to do in the above situation and any other situation you experience where your loved one can’t or won’t get help. Things can change. I teach people how to avoid conversations like the one above and learn to communicate very effectively no matter how serious the situation. I then teach family members and partners how help their loved one great treatment.

I am PASSIONATE and COMMITTED to helping you as a parent or partner get treatment for your loved one.

Here is a link to my coaching information. I work exclusively with family members and partners. And I 100% guarantee your situation can get better.

Julie

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(Thanks for all of the comments. If you look to the right column, you can see the most recent comments on all of the posts. To see comments specifically for this post, click below! It helps so much if you can answer other reader’s questions. ‘Peer’ responses help the most. )