My bipolar disorder symptoms started with hypomania at 17. I didn’t realize this until I sat down and really thought about my teenage years. Many people have their first major episode in their 20’s- mine started earlier. My ex partner had a lot of depression before he had his first major manic/psychotic episode at 22. That was a terrible time for sure. When I think back of what he told me about college- he was definitely depressed for a long time. He told me he thought about suicide when he was a little kid. He didn’t have an episode after that for a long time- then college at 19 and he got depressed and left school.

If you have bipolar disorder, it’s really interesting to write a paragraph about what you remember between the ages of 13-19. What was the first sign you had bipolar and how long did it take from that time for you to get diagnosed?

If you have a child with bipolar disorder, what were their teenage years like?

I had my first hypomania at 17 and was finally diagnosed at 31. Not cool.

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That sounds like a boxing match. People who have full blown mania have Bipolar I. People who have hypomania have Bipolar II. It’s extremely important that you know what diagnosis you have.

I have quite a few friends with bipolar I. All of them have been in the hospital because of psychotic mania. If you have been hospitalized or you know someone who has been hospitalized for mania- they have Bipolar I.

I have Bipolar II. This means that I have all of the same depression symptoms as Bipolar I, but my mania is milder- which is why it’s called hypomania. Hypomania is so sneaky- it can destroy your life just like full blown mania- but because it’s milder it’s usually seen as a lack of personal control and is often not diagnosed.

Do you have full blown mania or hypomania? I talk about this in all of my books. It’s important to know the difference.

Reader Question

I just had an email from a person who is moving to China. He wondered how he would get his Lamictal and Risperdal in China.

Here is my answer….
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You ask an important question about medications. Lamictal is with Glaxo Smith Kline.  Risperdal is from Janssen. – I would assume they different contracts with different countries

Here is the contact for Glaxo Smith Kline- the makers of Lamictal.     1-888-825-5249
Here is the number for Janssen- the makers of Risperdal:       1-800-526-7736

I am sure they can answer your questions or at least point you in the right direction. Considering all of the people from the US who are working in or moving to China, there must be a way to get the information. 

I take Lamictal daily- it has been a wonderful medication. I certainly never thought I would use the word medication and wonderful in the same sentence! But I love Lamictal.
I know that I would stock up on the meds before I left so that I have emergency rations when I’m there. You can leave a bottle with a family member in the states. I always recommend this when a person travels. You can ask for extra meds from your doctor- even if you have to pay for them out of pocket- it’s worth it. I know that if I miss my Lamictal for more than a week, I’m in big trouble.

Also, if you travel with meds on your way there, make sure they are clearly labeled- you can even take a letter from your doctor. Just in case.

As you probably know, a move can be a big, big trigger for bipolar- especially mania. I suggest you have a plan in place before you leave. I have lived in Japan and traveled in China, so I know the risks that come with the excitement.

I’m very impressed that you’re taking care of things before you travel- believe it or not, some people don’t and that’s when problems start.

A friend of mine just had to up her Zyprexa due to paranoia. She was really trying to make it on a lower dose, but had to face the reality of her psychosis. I am so proud of her for being able to take care of herself.

Another friend went off her meds and called me crying on Saturday- she said,  “I was doing so much better! I thought I didn’t need them.” The interesting thing is that she’s a doctor! No matter how educated we are or how smart we are, bipolar disorder can still trick us regarding medications. 

When the meds are working long term , it’s hard to feel them working.  My mind often says, “You’re doing well today Julie. It won’t matter if you just skip a dose. Opening all of those pill bottles is such a bother.” This is not the voice of reason! The voice of reason reminds me of what life was like before I had my Lamictal- or before my friend had her Zyprexa.  It reminds me that it’s not normal for my doctor friend to cry when she calls me.  

Meds work.  They don’t take away all of my symptoms- but they help. I managed bipolar disorder on my own for over 10 years- it’s possible to do, but extremely difficult. When I found a medication that worked, I still had to manage the illness daily – but it’s a lot easier now. If you’re struggling with your meds, don’t give up. It took me a long time to find the right one for myself, but I’m so glad I kept trying.  I now use the med as part of my overall treatment plan. I’m doing a lot better these days, that’s for sure. Julie

After I wrote the last blog on being manic- I stated to think of a part of mania that isn’t talked about a lot- egotistical thoughts- the technical term is grandiose thoughts.

I remember when my former partner first started to get sick. He is such a mild mannered wonderful person who is always pretty low key. Before he went into the hospital, I found a paper where he had written, “I am a genius and I can’t tell anyone.”

I had no idea what this meant at the time. This didn’t fit his personality at all! And even though I’d had hypomania since I was 17, I couldn’t identify with the genius thing. As my bipolar has gotten worse, I do go into ‘I’m the greatest person in the world’ mode once in a while. I can laugh about it! I just have to make sure I write it all down on my Mania Health Card. And I never say the thoughts out loud. That would be a real problem.

I write about my experience with Ivan being sick in Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder. I can honestly say I wish I’d had that book when he got out of the hospital!

Spring is coming in the US. You need a mania plan. And family members need to know what to do as well. Never forget, mania peaks in the summer!
Julie