Dream Big and Keep Bipolar Disorder in Mind

My next column for Bp Magazine focuses on dreaming big within the confines of bipolar disorder. It’s not a fun topic. I want to say- Dream big and anything is possible! But I don’t think that’s true. I believe those of us with bipolar disorder have to be honest with what the illness lets us do. Then we can set goals and reach dreams in a realistic way.

This DOESN’T mean you can’t do great and amazing things.

It means that bipolar disorder needs to be a part of the process.

How this illness reacts to my actions determines what I can do in my life. I’ve tried to live differently. I haven’t always respected what bipolar disorder will do if I make decisions without thinking of bipolar disorder at the same time. My recent move to France for a year was built on a bipolar disorder plan. Nothing is left to chance. I have still been ill for months, but I’m here!

I’m using my photography to keep myself focused when the mood swings are raging. A few days ago when I was on the bus, I saw a French flag peeping out from a side street. I said to myself, “Be bold Julie! The next time you’re on the bus, go down that street and see what pictures you might find!” Here is the result. I got off the bus at a different stop!

Julie

We need to talk: Violent Behavior in People with Mental Health Disorders

Violence in Mental Health: I was just contacted by a US journalist regarding my opinion on the latest violent killing in Florida. I told her what I tell everyone. These killers have something in common- and it’s not a hate group or terrorism.

It’s mental health disorders.

I have studied violent behavior in mental health for many years including being honest with myself about my own violent mental health symptoms when I’m in a mood swing from my bipolar disorder. This is not only a gun issue- the person who did something similar in China used knives and in Sweden, a sword.

We have to WAKE UP and listen to what family members say about the person who committed the violent act. They speak of mental instability, drug use, problem relationships and failed psychiatric care.

I will speak up. I am not scared to tackle this. We have a violence in mental health problem that we are scared to address. If you look at ALL of the lone killers in the US in just the past few years, they all have something in common:

….failed psychiatric treatment.

People with mental illnesses are not inherently violent. When we are stable, we are regular people. But when our symptoms go untreated and we add drugs such as steroids or high THC marijuana to the mix, we are an internal bomb waiting to go off. That is terrorism of a very different kind.

There is no need to tell me that I’m wrong or that I’m painting all of us with the same brush. I’m giving an opinion from personal experience through myself and hundreds of clients. I have incredible compassion for the families who try to help people with obvious mental health concerns: families who are stopped cold by a system than no longer works.

In my life, in my daily work and obviously in the news, I see a problem in MY COMMUNITY that we are not addressing correctly.

Mental illness needs treatment. Let’s join together and change the laws such as HIPPA and help family members get help for people who are ill and potentially dangerous. Then groups such as ISIS will not be able to recruit and perpetrate terrorism through people who are mentally unstable.

Julie

Click here to read the family side of the story.

Bipolar Disorder and Work Anxiety

Work and Bipolar Disorder. ARGGGGG…….

I am out of my depression, but my work issues remain. Who the heck has panic attacks from looking at email? This illness is DUMB. We can’t explain it in regular terms.

The only way I can deal with what happens to me is to see it in the context of bipolar disorder. For example, being able to coach for hours with no problems regarding life and death situations and then not being able to open an email because I can’t breathe is about mental illness. It’s not about the regular world.

In the regular world this is bizarre- it makes no sense.

But if I remember that I have a very severe mental illness that affects my life in almost every moment, it makes sense that I will struggle the way I do around the administrative side of my work.

It’s my life goal to figure out my working dilemma. I love to work. I love writing and coaching and don’t want this illness to stop me from doing what I love.

The fact that the quality of my work is not affected by bipolar disorder, but that my ability to sit down and do the work is greatly affected is a nut I’m going to CRACK.

Julie

BP Magazine Blog: Letter from a Dysphoric Manic Person

What do people who are in a bipolar disorder dysphoric manic episode really think? I wrote a blog for BP Magazine on this topic based on my own dysphoric manic thoughts and the stories I’ve heard for many years about how dysphoric mania turns us into people no one can recognize.

A bit of background- there are two levels of mania- HYPOMANIA and FULL BLOWN MANIA. Bipolar one has hypomania and full blown mania. Bipolar two has hypomania. There are two sides to the mania coin: euphoric mania and dysphoric mania.

EUPHORIC MANIA- WOO HOO!
Most of us know euphoric mania- active,upbeat, positive goal oriented, inclusive, full of ourselves, but not menacing, artistic, bright and filled with energy that often fills a room. Sleep isn’t needed or wanted. Many people love euphoric mania and won’t take meds because it means losing this incredibly, albeit dangerous body and mind sensation.

DYSPHORIC MANIA- SCREW YOU!

Then there is a icky, awful, super dangerous and downright odd mania: dysphoric mania. This mania has the same energy level as euphoria, but it’s a negative depressed energy. This mania is also called mixed mania because the energy is high and the mood is low. A person is goal driven in a nasty way- “I will make you pay for what you did for me last year!” The upbeat turns into depressed negativity. It’s mean and menacing with a lot of facial changes and beady eyes filled with adrenaline and unkindness. Our bodies are PAINFUL and we want to GET OUT of where we are because we are so uncomfortable. We have no reasoning ability and eventually the behavior can become violent, especially in terms of road rage and destroying things. Sleep isn’t needed or wanted. Dysphoric mania is never fun.

My BP Magazine for Bipolar blog takes you into our minds when we are in a dysphoric manic episode. I would LOVE to hear from people who have been on the inside of this mania and those who have watched with horror as this mania takes over.

My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has a plan to manage this mania. It takes work, but we can get out of this nasty stuff if we use prevention techniques.

Oh man, dysphoric mania sucks!

Click here to read my Bp Magazine blog: Letter from a Manic Person. I’d love to know what you think and if you have experienced dysphoric mania yourself or as a family member.

Julie

Bipolar Disorder Overwhelmed, but Taking Action Anyway!

I move to France on Friday. The mood swings are here as expected, but I’m plowing through them. I’m not depressed, but the overwhelm has started. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious can really put a damper on an adventure. I’m working through it – literally.

The only way I can deal with feeling overwhelmed is to ask for help and do all I can to get things done.

Here are some pics from my stay in the midlands of beautiful England. I encourage you to keep going- even a small action makes a difference in the bipolar brain.

Julie

HEHEHE. We have to laugh at life. I know it helps me! Click here to watch my Bp Magazine video on Bipolar Disorder, Travel and Sleep. I believe in you!

Bipolar Depression Arrives, but it Doesn’t Have to Stay!

Dealing with a bipolar disorder downswing? I guess we have to expect downswings if we have bipolar disorder. Life constantly surprises me. Human nature surprises me. A positive attitude about life keeps me going and it also helps me spot depression.

– Crying a bit too much over a TV series.

– Feeling free floating fear when nothing is wrong.

– Waking up at 2:00 AM with no ability to get back to sleep.

All of this reminds me that depression is made up of many symptoms. My goal is to go to bed feeling better than when I woke up. Join me! I’m going to use my plan today – the one in my books- to keep myself stable and happy.

Depression arrives, but it doesn’t have to stay. My first step- getting up, getting out and getting things done. I’ll keep you posted.

What about you? If you’re depressed, what can you do right now to budge your mood towards stability?

What can we all do to focus on what’s right in the world?