The US presidential debates started last Friday night. When all of this fighting between parties, and unfortunately fighting between friends started, I wrote a blog on how important it is to be careful not to let all of this upset you too much.
This comes from my own experience! Even this morning- after telling myself I wouldn’t get involved, I did. There are a few reasons this is trouble bipolar wise.
#1. Arguments affect the brain negatively when someone is already in a down swing. I have actually had semi arguments with friends I’ve known for many, many years. We agreed to disagree and the tension eased. Actually, I was the one upset, so I agreed with myself to stop.
#2. Extreme emotion before bed affects sleep which affects bipolar disorder symptoms.
#3. Fear and worry can definitely exacerbate depression.
#4. Mania can absolutely make you do things politically that may affect your future [ Read More ]
I just received the following question from Janine:
Julie,
I was just prescribed Lamictal and doing a little research it seems most people are starting on 25 mg and slowly increasing. I have just started today…100mg a day for a week, and then I bump up to 200mg next week. Is this too much too soon?
**
Hi Janine,
My coauthor Dr. John Preston as well as many of my doctor friends say that medication dosing is a fine science. For many, it’s a shot in the dark when you start. There are definitely guidelines as to what drugs to use and at what dose, but so much depends on you and your background. Are you on any other drugs? Have you had trouble with drugs? Do you have more mania than depression? How well does your doctor know your symptoms? etc….
It’s Sunday and I woke up slightly down with a lot of email to answer! I’m going to watch football for most of the day so that I can do all of my email. I’m a big believer that we have to continually search for a work environment that works for us individually. You may think that watching football and working is crazy, but I’m the type that needs a lot of noise and distraction if I’m not doing well- ie, I like to work in a lively environment when I’m depressed. I hear a lot of chatter in my head and the football just makes it easier for me to concentrate. I work at the library with my headphones if I have to do serious writing. Getting there is a problem though. It’s just a brain struggle sometimes. Where do you get the most work done? julie
I woke up depressed. It’s a bummer as I was on a pretty good streak. Eight days without depression. Well, that’s a pretty good length of stability.I’m so used to mood swings, that I actually do get excited and thankful for the stable days I can string together. It’s a bummer though.
I was talking with my dear radio co-host Avi yesterday. He was depressed for many, many years and then after a lot of work, meds and therapy he got a lot better. He was depressed a few days ago and said, “It’s always so shocking when it comes back.”
It’s true. When I woke up this morning and it was here, I just thought.. oh crap.. here is is again. Time to use the program. So, I’m at my computer and I’m going to work on my new book- because if I don’t, it will only exacerbate the depressed.
Did you know that there is Serotonin in our stomachs? It has the second highest concentration of the neurotransmitter after our brains.
This is why SSRI drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and many others can cause stomach problems. As my coauthor Dr. John Preston says, “There’s no way to harpoon a drug straight to the neurotransmitters in your brain. They have to go through the whole body which is why they cause so many side effects.”
I remember being so sick I couldn’t work. I was always in the bathroom. That may be more than you want to know about me! but it’s important to know that you’re not alone if drugs are making your stomach rumble.
Side effects can include nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloated stomach, acid reflux, etc. etc.
Lovely!
Here are some tips on keeping your stomach happy:
1. First of all, talk with your doctor if things are really bad. [ Read More ]
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