I have received a few emails asking about my Twitter account. Well, it was inadvertently deleted. In other words, I pushed some buttons I should not have pushed. I’m changing it to a daily bipolar disorder management tip- 365 days of quick ideas and thoughts to get a person up when they are low and more stable when they are manic. Though, I have found that a person who is manic can use Twitter and Facebook pretty much 24 hours a day- but not to get tips on managing mania. 🙂
I was just thinking of a tip example, and one would be:
Did you know that it’s normal to drive like a maniac when you’re manic?
And believe it or not, I have never connected the words maniac and manic. It’s interesting.
If you have ideas on what you would like to see on my Twitter account, please let me know. I will post when it’s up and running again.
A friend of mine sent me a link to an article from the Christian Broadcast Network website called Loving People with Bipolar Disorder by Allison Johnson. I was naturally interested. As we all are! We either have it or care about someone who has it which is why we are here.
I have always been honest in saying that my current path is not a spiritual path as I have struggled in this area for many years- but I do understand the importance that spirituality plays in a person’s life. There are many comments on this blog from readers who say that faith is often the one thing that gets them through the tough times. The article happens to be one that speaks of the Christian faith- for others it may be Buddhism, Islam or as for my dear friend Gayathri who deals with depression regularly- Hindu meditation. It’s a very personal choice. I know some who read the Tarot for help!
The following article by Allison Johnson comes from the Christian Broadcast Network website. It’s an honest and helpful portrait of how faith can help a couple – and all people with bipolar disorder find help for bipolar mood disorder- but more importantly, it’s a story of a relationship that survives the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. It is possible for couples where one person has bipolar disorder to have a very loving relationship. Allison’s story shows that this is true!
I’ve always known that it has always taken really big changes for me to stay well enough to work. Here are some of the changes I have made in the past few years.
– Celibacy (yes, celibacy!)
– Less travel
– No contentious relationships
– Avoid work situations that will make me sick
– Using my Health Cards daily
– Visualizing my strategies from Get it Done When You’re Depressed
– Watch inspirational reality TV instead of downer TV
I could write a lot more here! By the way, the celibacy thing is just a choice and not something people with bipolar disorder have to do to stay stable! Haha. But my goodness, it has helped. Especially when I get hypomanic and just want to drink beer and meet people.
My problem is that the bipolar has not being doing well. This means that I work every day to stay stable and sometimes the bipolar is stronger than the work I do all day to stay stable! But I keep going and always will. It’s a tough illness.
Regarding reality TV, I love to watch So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars- they show me that it really is all about hard work on a daily basis. If a bull rider, football player, an actor who has never danced and the star from the Jackass movies can learn to dance, I can use the same skills to get better. I feel my brain switch back into a more positive and hopeful mood when I watch these shows. It is up to me to make it happen when I have a goal.
Julie
If bull rider Ty Murray can learn to dance... anything is possible!
I have this huge problem that started about 2 and half years ago. During a mixed episode of rapid cycling I decided and did leave my husband. Over this past 2 and a half years I have been severly depressed. Well in the past two months my new pdoc changed my medication and I am thinking more clearly and having fewer mood swings then ever. The problem is that I want my husband back. He does not really understand bipolar and resents me for decisions I made while I was sick. I have two questions, is it worth pursuing a relationship with someone who doesnt understand what you are going through (he will not take a simple class on dealing with loved ones suffering from bipolar). How do I reconcile the bad choices I have made while sick with where I am now? I want my family back but he has a new girlfriend. Is it worth the fight?
Hi Stephani,
Believe it or not, this is not an uncommon problem. I regularly work with clients where a partner has left because of a mood swing.
A friend of mine got manic and had an affair, left her husband and moved out all in a few weeks. Luckily her husband understood enough about bipolar and took her back. They have worked it out so it is possible. The difference here is that your partner doesn’t want to learn about the illness. It’s the only way he will ever understand what happened. Otherwise, we just seem odd and people wonder, ‘Who on earth would pick up and leave a good marriage like that!’
Well, we do. In 1995, after a year of taking care of my partner Ivan when he was so sick with bipolar, I told him I didn’t love him anymore, got on a plane and went to China.
No kidding.
It happens. (Bipolar Happens!)
The best way I can help you is through my coaching.
Here is the link: http://www.juliefast.com/family-coaching/
I work with partners in your situation very regularly and know what you are going through myself. There is an intake form on the website. There is a free 20 minute consultation with the coaching and we can discuss this more. It’s complicated, but not unsolvable. The topic is just too big for a blog answer.
You said that your former partner would not take a class, but there is a chance he will read Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder if you give it to him. That may at least give him some insight.
I have ideas on what you can do.
This comment from Lynn has one of the best descriptions of rapid cycling that I have heard in a very long time! It’s a reply to the comment on the blog below.
**
I am also rapid cycling bipolar. One week I am at my therapist so depressed I can barely explain what I feel, and the next I am so excited about life and plans. Spins the head around. I am trying to think of my life as a giant super-ball, the kind that when you throw it and it hits the wall, it bounces over and over again seemingly forever, a ball I didn’t throw but have to live on. It is my reality. I live on planet bipolar, and accept that meds and hard work only get me functional on planet bipolar. I cannot get off it. That is my reality. No matter what chronic illness I have, diabetes, arthritis, or bipolar, I have to accept it and learn to live within it’s limitations. I would say then that acceptance of my illness as a chronic illness separate from my true self helps me cope, knowing that the meds keep me out of the Alps of bipolar planet, and only in the hills and valleys. There are no flat plains of the farm belt here! An acceptance make life here much much easier, I live in the moments between extremes and hold on for the rides between!
I just read your post on your rapid cycling. I didn’t even know what it was a few years ago. My doctors said I was rapid cycling- but I thought that was what happened with all people with bipolar. I didn’t know it’s not that common. Things have been tough lately. I’m Going Up Again.. and Again. And then going way down again and again.
Bipolar is wearing me out. I have had over 10 mood swings in the past three weeks. I know this because I write about my moods in my journal. This has helped a lot since I often just thought I was being bitchy or wimpy or something personal and I can now clearly see it’s a mood swing.
I have been so depressed in the past week I couldn’t stop crying. I always keep going, but it has been hard. I read Get it Done a lot. I have it by my bed- but as you know- that helps, but the depression is still here. My meds are regulated and I do try to look at triggers.
Today I’m over excited. I can feel it. It’s a nervous energy that isn’t comfortable. I don’t like it. I usually get a great high feeling, but this feels a bit out of control. I feel scared.
My life is basic right now. I agree with you that bipolar is often a triggered illness, so I left some friends who were a bit too wild for me and also told some family members they have to be nicer to me- hm,mmm. We can see how that goes! I get lonely though.
Your work has helped me so much- I am a ton better than I used to be and I have worked hard- but what upsets me is that the bipolar is still here. A friend of mine said that she sees a really big improvement in my management of the illness- and that is great. I’m going to focus on that. I need advice though- from people who go through this. What if we work hard and we are a lot better, but the mood swings are still here? I need some hope!
Marcee
Hi Marcee,
Wow, thanks for a great letter. It sounds like something in my journal so I know what you’re going through. Dear readers, your advice for Marcee would be greatly appreciated. How do we deal with our reality? This is not like a bad bug that can be eradicated with a medication or a flu or a broken leg. What are our options to keep pushing ourselves towards health when we still have setbacks? That is a big question. I know that you all deal with this differently and I look forward to your ideas. Family, friends, and health care professionals can share their advice as well.
Julie
PS: If you are unfamiliar with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder, there is a category list on the right side of the blog on the rapid cycling topic.
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