Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Here is something interesting- every time I make a presention- someone in the audience asks my view on how to deal with bipolar disorder on a spiritual level. Some ask me if I agree with the term THE GIFT OF BIPOLAR and if I use meditation or a religion to deal with the illness.

I have a complicated answer. I think that a spiritual approach to bipolar disorder management works well when you’re not in a serious mood swing- I am sure many would agree with that. It can also help when a person is mildly to moderately depressed. But when it comes to serious depression- I feel that spiritual doubt is often the norm.  It’s hard to believe when an illness is threatening your life. But…. I know of many people who literally survive bipolar disorder because of their deep spiritual beliefs.

It’s complicated isn’t it.

And it gets very, very complicated with mania and psychosis. Mania can lead to a feeling of spiritual awakening that is based off chemicals instead of a true transformation- many people feel an incredible letdown when the mania is gone and the euphoric, religious experiences leave as well.

Psychosis and spirituality is a completely different story and one I will address in a future blog.

I am interested to know how you see the role of spiritually and bipolar disorder management.

Julie

The following is a story of how working with clients has taught me what information parents and partners truly need. If you have not visited my coaching page, here is the link: http://www.juliefast.com/family-coaching/

 In 1994 after my then partner Ivan come home after a three month stay in the hospital- I thought to myself- on day I am going to help people get through something like this because there sure isn’t anyone here to help me get through it! Now, fifteen years later I am fulfilling my promise to myself. The coaching has been an amazing experience, but also a very surprising one. Here are a few things I have learned from working with so many clients:

1. The system has hardly changed AT ALL compared to how it was in 1994. It still favors the patient over the family member and partner and  many people with bipolar disorder who are obviously very ill are sent home as they are not completely a danger to themselves or others.

2.  Psychosis is the most difficult symptom for family members and partners to understand. I have to point out a lot of psychotic behavior that is missed or confused with mania.

3. Parents and partners are worn out, often scared, worried and frustrated with the system.

There are so many commonalities – which makes sense as bipolar disorder is an illness with very set symptoms and behaviors!

My first goal is to offer as much information as possible about bipolar itself- we can then work on communcation, hospital visits and other topics.

Julie

Hello to everyone!

I want to say thanks for all of the comments and questions I receive on this blog. They mean a lot to me and I know they are important to other readers as well. Thousands read this blog for inspiration each month- and what you write really puts a human face on bipolar disorder. I have noticed lately that many of you are leaving supportive comments on the suicide blog entries.

I wish that I could answer all of the questions I recieve- I do read them all and try to write blog posts that address the most common questions. Many answers are found in my books as well.

 My newly revised website http://www.bipolarhappens.com/ has a LOT of free information on the topic of bipolar disorder including its symptoms and triggers, the medications used to treat bipolar disorder, tips for parents of teenagers and a great deal of information for families and partners.

You can also read more about the treatment plan I created in 1999 when I was not able to manage my bipolar disorder with medications alone. Thie plan is called the Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder. My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder will give you a solid foundation on the basics of the illness as well as a very useful and proven treatment plan. This book answers many of the medical questions about bipolar disorder that I receive on the blog including historial information on the illness, the different diagnoses and all of the common symptoms of the illness.  The Health Cards are oriented towards a lot of the feelings that come from bipolar symptoms as well as the triggers. All of my books are available on online book stores and in libraries.  The Health Cards are only available on bipolarhappens.com.

All of my books build off of each other and answer many questions.

I also have individual coaching available for parents and partners who want to work on a specific situation. You can click on the link to the right for more information.

Please do keep sending comments and questions and I will get to as many as I can. It’s also very helpful when a reader has advice for another reader. I see all comments first, so don’t worry about giving the wrong advice. All advice from the heart is good advice!

My goal when I started writing books on bipolar disorder was to help others find stability so that they can have positive relationships, a rewarding work experience and happiness in life instead of constant mood swings. It’s still my goal and always will be- I jsut wish I had 100 fingers so that I could answer each one of you personally!

Defintely keep writing!

Julie