Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Listen to Andy Behrman on the Julie Fast Radio Show

Hello! If you haven’t had a chance to listen to my new radio show- this is a great place to start. I interviewed best selling author Andy Behrman about his book Electroboy and his amazing life in general. What a story! I’ve never heard a better description of mania- you will be amazed.

Click on the link below to stream/download the show.

Electroboy on the Julie Fast Radio Show

Julie

Stressssss!

The show has been great- but my anxiety levels are very high. I’m taking care of this through really structured sleep, hanging out with VERY calm people, saying no, going home early, keeping away from anything having to do with the opposite sex, eating more frozen blueberries instead of ice cream, reminding myself that things will calm down and making sure I get my daily dose of Donald Trump books!

Donald Trump, love him or hate him, is an excellent role model for keeping your head up and focused while under extreme work pressure. He is a man who was once 900 MILLION dollars in debt and worked his way back to the top. I highly recommend his books.

I will write more about work during the week as working when you’re well enough to work is a challenge as you have to know when to stop- otherwise you will go back into mood swings.

julie

When Someone You Love Won’t Accept Help

I Don’t Need You! Leave Me Alone!

It may be that you’re on this blog because you love someone with bipolar disorder and they won’t let you help them. It hurts, doesn’t it. I’m in a situation right now where a person I care about deeply is having a hard time- in fact he is quite ill. He will tell me what’s going on, but if I get upset or ask for anything from him, such as a phone number where I can reach him or at least a general location where I could find him if something happened, he says, “Why do you have to be so demanding all of the time? I knew it was a mistake to call you!”

You know what? I only have so much energy for this. I’m tired in fact. I’ve been here for this person for years and he has often been there for me- but when he gets ill or feels that I’m being too emotional, he cuts me off. The ultimate and most controlling way to cut a person off is to refuse to tell them where you are. It’s hard for the caring person to deal with this.

I have learned that I come first. It’s not selfish. The only way I can be stable is if the people around me treat me with respect.

Eventually, it becomes a question about what I want.

Julie

Julie’s Radio Show: Medications

Hi,

I’m very excited about my radio show today as my guest is my coauthor Dr. John Preston!

We’re going to talk about medications.

I promise that you will learn more than you ever thought possible in just one hour about antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Effexor- antipsychotics such as Abilify, Zyprexa, Risperdal and Seroquel and mood stabilizers/anti convulsants such as Tegretol, Depakote and my drug Lamictal. We will talk about antianxiety meds such as Ativan, Klonopin and Valium and then touch on how these medications are used to treat specific illnesses.

All in one hour!

You can listen live – go to www.juliefast.com/radio and click on the link for the KTRO radio station web site. There will be a listen live button on the KTRO home page:

The show is on today (Sunday, April 20th) at 3 PM PST here in the US.
If you can’t listen live, the show will be posted on the juliefast.com site two days after the broadcast.

I remember when I was first diagnosed- the meds were so overwhelming- I wish I had been able to access a show like this one!
Julie

A Miracle

I’ve had over 30 days of stability.

Julie

My first radio show was last week

Radio Show!

My first radio show was last week. I’m waiting to send out the announcement to the mailing list until I have two shows as podcasts. I will keep you posted! I am excited as it’s something I have always wanted to do. It’s proof that no matter how sick you were in the past, you can get better so that you can meet your goals in the future.