Zyprexa, also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.
It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person, but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.
Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)
I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill. It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many, the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and gained weight. I am so incredibly proud of her for staying on it. She is now stable and no longer needs a high dose of the Zyprexa.
I just saw her today and she said, “I’m staying on it Julie. I can’t get sick like that again.” She looked so great today. I’m glad to see doing so well!
I visited my partner Ivan every day- and sometimes two times a day when he was in the hospital in 1994. He was in the psych ward for three months, so that was a lot of visits. He refused medications unless I was there- which meant my life was basically on hold when he was so ill.
Going to the psych ward every day was quite an experience. It was certainly an interesting perspective. Not many people get to see how the hospital works and learn so much about the people on the ward.
I missed Ivan terribly during those months, but I never regretted that he was in the hospital. It was the only safe place for him and it saved his life.
If you are just out of the hospital, there is a good chance you’re scared, maybe upset you were in restraints, mad at your family for putting you there or really worried about life outside of the hospital structure. People react to a hospital with such a variety of emotions!
I always ask people who have been in the hospital to turn to the people around them and ask what the hospital experience was like for them- for example, if you tried to kill yourself and had to stay on a ward until you were stable, how did your friends feel about the fact you were in the hospital – or your family? I bet they have a very different view. Knowing that they were thankful you were there may help you see your hospital stay differently.
If you enjoy my books, I’d love it if you would review them on amazon.com!I don’t read reviews, so there is no need to worry that I won’t like the review! Honesty always comes across better than a canned review. J
I also want to say thank you to all of the people who send in comments and emails about my books. I appreciate the support!
Well, it’s always a challenge to know when to be honest and when to be sort of honest or when to lie!
I’m refereing to how I tell people if I’m depressed. It really depends on a lot of things. How is the person I’m talking to doing? Do they need to hear what I’m going through or do I just need to listen to them? How do I present my situation? Is it possible I’m overwhleming them?
I learned a long time ago to spread out my depression talk in order to keep my friendships balanced. If I’m always asking for help from friends without giving them anything in return, I become a problem and not a friend. I’ve wrecked quite a few friendships this way. If someone asks me, ‘How are you?’ and my answer is always, ‘I’m really depressed!’ then who in the heck wants to talk to me! People want to help, but they have to see progress in the person they are helping.
I bring this up because I’m not doing very well today. It was worse yesterday, but today is more of the same. I’m snowed in. 100% snowed in. I am looking out my window and all I can see is show and half buried cars. I live in Portland, Oregon and this is the worst storm in over ten years. I manage my bipolar disorder by getting out in society and feeding off the energy of others – yikes, that makes me sound like a vampire! So when I’m truly stuck inside, it’s hard for me. I have to decide how I want my day to go and then decide what I will say when I talk to friends. They all understand my depression, so I can defintely talk about it, but I think today is a day to listen to them and see what they are going through. That will bring me up without bringing them down.
We are so American here in the states! Everything has to be FAST, PERFECT and ALL AT ONCE! In reality, it’s fine to do half of something now and then the rest later. I would rather get at least one room vacuumed than get frustrated that I didn’t do the whole house like I should have! I would rather decorate one room with holiday lights than get mad at myself that I didn’t do the whole house like others wanted me to do!
I always remind myself that doing half is a good thing- half a project gets finished eventually. Doing nothing…. well, it never gets done.
It’s all about a sense of accomplishment. When we get something done, even if it’s small, we feel better and want to feel that good again, so we many even just keep working, even if we are still depressed.
Meetin.org is a social group where people get together and do a variety of events from wine tasting, playing poker, learning to line dance, going to karaoke, having big parties, traveling to Vegas and watching football!People plan their own events and then others can sign up. It’s not a singles club- at all, and people of all ages participate. I met one of my closest friends at a meetin.org karaoke party. And, most importantly- the people in the group tend to be really fun.There are groups all over the world. If you join,let me know your first event! Here is the address: www.meetin.orgJulie
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.
