Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

I really enjoyed my radio show – there were some fantastic guests and the people I worked with were amazing. If you havent’ heard the shows, you can listen from my author webpage.  I’ve always wanted to be on the radio- but wow! It is a lot of work.  Here I am at the mike- the guy is my amazing co-host Avi and the beautiful woman (inside and out!) is my friend and colleague Gayathri. I knew I had to have her as a guest on the show- her passion for multi- cultural education regarding mental illness is beyond admirable!

Here is the link to the radio shows!

Julie Fast Radio Shows

I love writing books- but it’s very hard to stay focused when you are your own boss.  A friend of mine who is also a writer and who also has bipolar disorder just sent me this quote:

Bestselling novelist Margaret Atwood was at a party talking to a neurosurgeon.  He said that as he had just retired, he thought he’d write a book.  (Paraphrasing) Margaret said, “That’s a coincidence.  I’m thinking of becoming a neurosurgeon when I retire.”

So true! If you’re a writer- no matter what kind- you are talented and it’s not as easy as some may think it is!

I have taught myself to write when I’m depressed- I wrote a book about it- I guess I’m lucky I’m not a neurosurgeon. I don’t think that’s a career that would be as flexible as writing !

Julie

Here is a fantastic testament to how a solid treatment plan with personal changes can make a difference with the illness. I have known Sandra and her comments on this site for quite a while and know that she has gone through many, many changes in the past year in order to reach this level of stability. It takes time to get better, but positive change is possible. I love hearing about it directly from readers!

Hi Julie,

Now that I’m on the right medications, I am able to answer yes to your questions. (See the blog entry below)  Only a few months ago, I couldn’t answer yes to each question.   Before, I wasn’t on any medication that addressed my bipolar symptoms, so I suspect that the antidepressants I was taking actually made my bipolar symptoms worse.  (I learned that from you and was able to talk about this with my new psychiatrist, who agreed!)

Besides the new medication (Depakote), regular sleep patterns and medication compliance are essential to help me stay on track.  I’ve also learned to take life at a more even pace; I think before all of these changes, I used to try to get too much done in too little time.  For example, this year for Christmas I didn’t make all of the different types of cookies I’ve made in years past and no one has objected!

 It also helps me to make a daily to-do list and prioritize what needs to be done.  I think the medication changes have also helped me to slow down racing thinking so I can begin a project well in advance of its due date.

 I haven’t overstretched my budget.  This year, I told my family that I just could not afford Christmas gifts; I plan to start graduate school in January and money is tight right now.  They all understood.  Being able to get my budget in control and eliminate debt has helped me to relax more.

 I think that’s it for now.   

 Sandra

(Sandra is correct- those with bipolar disorder should NEVER take antidepressants unless they are included with a mood stabilizer and or antipsychotic. Depakote is an anti mania drug that is in the classification of an anticonvulsant, though it is regularly called a mood stabilizer. It can take time to find the right medications- it took me many years, but it is very possible. Thanks to Sandra for giving us hope!)