Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

I’ve been up and down lately and amazingly, more up than down! I could say HALLAJUILIULA  (really, where does our spelling come from!) or I could do what I’m doing. I’m getting home early and watching Dancing with the Stars. I’m avoiding stimulating situations such as karaoke or dinner parties. I’m aware that I’m on the cusp of not sleeping. I’m using my Ativan instead of trying to force myself to sleep. There is a lot I can do now before it goes so far.

Here are my subtle signs of mania: I’d be interested to know yours.

#1. Cooking. I cook a lot more when I’m manic and I often make pretty complex dishes. Today I made chicken Marsala. I then tend to cook a lot of dishes to go with it, but I stopped myself today.

#2. I chop too quickly and tend to fling knives and cutting boards around when I’m washing them. I cut my finger today.

#3. Music sounds good- normally I find music depressing – as I once heard someone describe mania- everything becomes interesting when you’re manic!

 #4. I don’t have a problem with the dark weather – though just a few days ago this weather depressed me.

The list goes on and on. If you don’t have bipolar disorder, you may say, “But I do this stuff all of the time and I’m not manic!”

That’s what makes bipolar disorder so hard to understand. People do experience what we experience, but to a different degree. Also, people tend to have patterns that make sense. My change from not being able to work just a few weeks ago, to being able to jam for hours all day and then not be able to sleep is a sign that I’m not stable.

 I am going to use this hypomania to my advantage by getting my 200+ email taken care of.

What is your current mood swing? Are you stable? If you care about someone with the illness, can you tell when they’re manic?

Julie

Insurance can really be difficult for many of us with bipolar disorder.  Some states have parity laws- which means those of us with a mental illness have to have access to insurance. Other states have not passed this law. I’m lucky that Oregon has this program. I buy insurance from the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool. After I was turned down by EVERYONE because I have bipolar disorder, I was eligible for this program. And here is what’s funny. I RARELY go to the doctor for bipolar disorder. I treat myself and see my doctor for a meds checkup.  But I do have to admit that I have more physical problems than most due to this illness.

My insurance is $375 a month. Very expensive. But it’s good insurance.

Does your state have parity? You can check with your NAMI or DSBA branches. Visit www.nami.org and http://www.dbsalliance.org

Oregon also has state insurance- but they aren’t taking new people. For those of you in countries with guaranteed health care, you’re lucky!

 Julie

Hi all, I just want to say thanks for the comments. I read all of them. I keep telling myself I will put a comment of my own on each one!   Here are some answers to your questions:

– True Hope, a supplement company that advertises they can help bipolar disorder was investigated by the Canadian government regarding their claims regarding mental illness. You can read more about it if you ‘Google True Hope Canada Investigation.’

–  I agree that exercise is a tremendous help with bipolar disorder. I love yoga myself. I have found that I have a lot of trouble with injuries when I’m depressed, so I’m working on that. As of now, I have finally healed a bad shoulder and am getting back into yoga. It’s never too late! Getting injured while depressed or manic is more common than you may think!  I have tried someone called ecstatic dance. It is interesting! If you go to www.meetin.org or www.meetup.org you may find some exercise opportunities you may not have thought of such as rafting or flag Frisbee.

Yes, there is still room on the Parents of Children with Bipolar Disorder teleseminar.  You can go here to read more about it:

www.juliefast.com/teleseminars.php

If you didn’t receive my last newsletter on mixed episodes, it may be a spam problem. Make sure you have comments@bipolarhappens.com on your email OK list.

– Regarding my future projects: I’m currently working on a new book. I can’t wait to get started. Of course, as you have read, getting started is one of our main problems!

– My column in BP Magazine will be out in January. It’s on triggers. It helped me to write it! I try so hard not to repeat my past trigger mistakes. Here is a link for the magazine:

www.bphope.com

And finally, thanks for all of the wonderful support I received at the DBSA conference in Virginia. It was a highlight of my short career.  I can’t believe I am well enough to work. I just have to keep going daily and the rewards definitely show up eventually.

 PS: I started writing books at age 37, so anything is possible! I’m 44 now.

Keep sending comments. I love them! Julie