My dear friend and mentor John Doyle asked me this tonight when I told him about my rather tough day- well, very tough! He always reminds me that over the years I’ve changed- I can still get mood swings from certain situations, but they are more regulated now. It meant a lot to me when he said that.
I was asked to be on the Dr. Phil show this week and then it fell through. It was certainly disappointing! But it didn’t have to be depressing.
People often confuse ‘disappointment’ and ‘depression.’ If you have bipolar you know that they are extremely different! Disappointment has a focus- I am disappointed that I am not going to be on the Dr. Phil show as hoped!
Depression is very, very different. It doesn’t have a true focus- it just viciously attacks you and your life. “You are a failure Julie. Your books will never really sell. You life is pointless, you never get a break in your career”, etc etc. ad nauseum!
It’s not true. And I will not listen to it. I will PRAISE myself for what I have accomplished in life and keep going.
The trick is to learn to feel disappointment- as it’s real and normal- and then see what is happening with the depression and not letting it go too far.
I am proud of myself.
Julie
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Julie-
Disappointment is hard for all of us I know. Glad to hear you have good friends.
I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t be on the show… Can you tell us?
We will look forward to seeing you on television soon!
Thank you so much for all of your work, your health cards and newsletters.
Your health cards have helped my family more than anything else ever. We use them constantly.
Thank you!
This is Dr. Phil’s loss, not yours! You are a talented, well-spoken presenter, and would’ve done so much for his audience. I hope he realizes what an opportunity he has let slip through his fingers and contacts you to correct it!