Right before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I went to China during a hypomanic episode. I left everything in Seattle inluding my parter Ivan who had been through a terrible year with his bipolar disorder- I left my family and the few friends I had not alientated with my behavior- and just got on a plane!
I studied Mandarin in the five weeks I was in China- and because I was slightly manic, I learned it quickly.
My mom followed me to China because she was worried about me and when we finally reached Hong Kong I knew I was very sick. To make a long and very interesting story short, I was diagnosed and started meds the week I got back to the states.
That was in 1995. Since then, I have talked about studying Mandarin again. In fact, I have started classes and never finished them. After my trip to Florida last month- I realized that if I want to live my dreams, I have to take action instead of just talking about the past!
I signed up for a Chinese class and started last night. My goal is to be fluent in Chinese by 2014 so that I can go to China with my nephew who is in a Chinese emersion program at school.
Enough of my talkin- it’s time to start walkin! I am going to reach my goal of finishing what I started in China.
Three treatment tips you may not have thought of….
1. The people in your life often cause more bipolar disorder symptoms than you do yourself. Make a list of the people in your life and rank them in terms of which ones make your symptoms better and which ones who make them worse. Then you have some decisions to make!
2. Caffeine is a drug just like pot and alcohol. It’s addictive and it causes sleep problems just like pot and alcohol. Though it feels like it helps depression, in reality it makes it a ton worse because it affects sleep. I LOVE coffee and I have taught myself to drink decaf. If you have sleep problems or trouble with anxiety- coffee, energy drinks, super dark chocolate and lots of black tea may be the culprit!
3. Making successful bipolar disorder management a goal exponentially increases your chances of a happy, stable and healthy life. I reached my goal of being a bestselling author for one reason. I started with the goal that I would learn to manage this illness.
Now, if I could only get it to go away!
Julie
PS: Usually I say bipolar disorder, but many people say bipolar illness.. so I thought I would switch it up!
I always say that I wish I could work full time. I really, really love to work full time. I mean 40 hours a week- the normal stuff. I keep thinking I can do it. Intellectually I can! Yesterday, I gave a two hour talk to a great group on the topic of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I spent a few hours prepping for the class. It was all of the logistic stuff I can’t stand- getting books ready- copying my handout. But gosh, it wasn’t rocket science! After I gave the talk, it was around 4PM. I felt like I had been on a ten hour walk. IT WAS RIDICULOUS!
But this is what happens to me. My body gives out- I think it’s the adrenaline of working for eight hours. My other friends with bipolar disorder experience the same thing. It doesn’t happen all of the time, but it’s definitely a work thing when I have to be around people. But I love to be around people and teach!
If you’re new to this blog, you can look at the top of the blog entry to see if there is a number next to the comments button. I don’t know why they make it so small!
It’s easy to add comments – and I do read them all before they are posted. Lately I’ve added my own comments to each posting.
Your opinions mean a lot- especially to the other reader, so please add as many as you like. I appreciate opinions different than my own and especially like it when readers offer suggestions to a reader’s question.
I am back from a two week trip where I learned a lot about myself. First of all, I thought that having free time meant having a vacation. It doesn’t. Free time means that I’m always worrying that I should work more- and I get upset that I’m sick all of the time. A vacation- I just had one for the first time in probably 10 years- is different. One day with my friend Pam, I just walked around San Antonio, Texas and didn’t think about my work at all. I enjoyed the beautiful setting of the River Walk and the company of my friend of over 20 years! I think that is the definition of a vacation from bipolar disorder as well!
Julie
PS: When I got really sick in 1998, I was a mess and lost most of my friends. Pam was in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, so I couldn’t wreck that friendship!
I am very hard on myself when I have a tough day and can’t work. It’s hard for me to remember that this is a serious illness. If I had asthma, I would know there would be some times that I couldn’t run – or if I had MS, there would be times when I would feel tired. And yet, with bipolar, it’s hard to see it as an illness. It is just so darn personal. I had a super tough day today. I was sick. That is the truth. I have to go easier on myself.
Bipolar Disorder is an illness and I had to take a sick day.
Parent, Caregiver, Partner or Health Care Professional?
Enter your email below and sign up for Julie’s The Stable Lifestyle newsletter.
Mom Brain Podcast
Listen to Julie’s latest interview on bipolar disorder and mental health in children, teens and adults on the Mom Brain Podcast with Hilaria Baldwin and Daphne Oz.
The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
