I woke up with this thought the other day- I’m miserably unhappy. Just great. Things have been going so well, and then the depression thoughts started to creep in. The first one was – Everyone in Portland is doing fun things. I had this thought as I was WALKING TO A DINNER PARTY! Then I got the feeling that I would never be rewarded for all of my hard work. Finally, I had a down swing yesterday that lasted a few hours.
So, the signs were there. I was ready for the downswing as it was obviously on its way!
I hate them. They are especially hard to take when things have been going well.
I have an illness and I can never forget that. If I remember it always, I can prepare and not be so shocked when I get sick.
HI All, I just received this from my radio station- it has a good explanation of my mental health radio show.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AM 910 KTRO WELCOMES THE JULIE FAST SHOW TO ITS WEEKEND LINEUP
(Portland) – May 9, 2008 – AM 910 KTRO welcomes The Julie Fast Show to its weekend lineup.
AM 910 KTRO is please to announce the addition of The Julie Fast Show to its weekend lineup! The Julie Fast Show which airs on Sunday’s from 3pm-4pm PST, offers straight talk on mental illness through education, inspiration and lively conversation. Guests include health care professionals, writers and people who are affected by mental illness in general. Host Julie Fast, shares her experience as a person with chronic bipolar disorder and gives her audience insight into ways to manage all mental illnesses more effectively.
Topics include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder, PTSD and war, borderline [ Read More ]
Everyone I know with bipolar disorder has some sort of sleep problem- it’s normal. It’s a bother.
Sleep Tips
– Sleep in a cool room- this can make a huge difference. If you get too hot, you will wake up more.
– Turn off lights one hour before bed and listen to a book on tape by a really low watt light- not a daylight bulb! I actually turned off the light last night and listened to a show on my IPOD. – Have a noise machine such as a humidifier to block out sounds from outside.
– Keep your TV in the living room and definitely don’t watch TV right before going to bed. Not only is it overstimulating, it also emits a bright (blue spectrum) light that is stimulating.
Sometimes when I write these lists I think, this is just all so ridiculous. Why can’t I just be like my friends! They can [ Read More ]
Bipolar Disorder is not your fault Julie! I say this to myself a lot when I get sick.
It took me a long time to accept my diagnosis. I was diagnosed in 1995. How is it possible I’ve dealt with severe bipolar disorder since 1995!
I used to wake up and think- I have a mental illness. This isn’t happening to me!
I have nothing to do with having the illness- mood disorders are in my genes on both sides of my family.
I am only 100% responsible for managing the illness. It took these 13 years to get good at it! Now I put all of that experience in my books- it doesn’t have to take you 13 years to get better, that is for sure.
I didn’t have a television for years- it helped a lot in terms of staying stable. I now watch reality shows with my mom- the joyful reality shows that make you hopeful when you’re feeling sick. It’s also something we can do together that doesn’t involve family issues, weight, worry, work, stress, etc!
So You Think You Can Dance started tonight here in the States. It’s a joyful show.
There really are shows out there that help depression!
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Mom Brain Podcast
Listen to Julie’s latest interview on bipolar disorder and mental health in children, teens and adults on the Mom Brain Podcast with Hilaria Baldwin and Daphne Oz.
The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
