bipolar disorder and travel

wow.  I always write about preparing for travel way ahead of time in order not to get sick on a trip. Well,I did what I could and have still had a tough time. Not bad though! I’m visiting a very good friend in Texas. Her family is so stable and happy. It makes me see that I need more stability in my life in Portland. Things are so different back home. My family is often unhappy and it’s stressful. I do what I can,but I’m still around it because I love them! Also,I realize I am alone too much. Being around people helps me- so what can I do to be around more people? It’s a constant struggle as I can’t work in an office setting! I am going to create a plan for this in the next few weeks.

And finally,how can I get my sleep regulated when I am [ Read More ]





Posted on December 31st,2008 | Tags:,,, | Category:travel

Seasonal Affective Disorder Article

 Hi,I’m currently in Texas where it is sunny. I wrote the blog below before I left.  Oh! It can be so hard to live in the Pacific Northwest where it often gets dark at 4PM!

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 Hello! Here is a link to a PDF file of my article on managing seasonal affective disorder.  As I write this- it’s 4PM here in Portland,Oregon and it’s basically getting dark outside. I miss the sun! Feel free to share this file with anyone you feel would be interested.  And let’s have a depression free winter!  Here is the link- you can click on it and save the article to your computer.

http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/blogpics/sad_article.pdf

Julie





I’m taking a trip to the east coast……

Well! I never thought I would be so well that I could just get ready and get on a plane to Texas without stress! But it’s happening. I leave tomorrow morning for San Antonio where I will see a dear friend and her three kids for New Year’s Eve! As you know,I wrote a lot about having plans for holidays this year- and I did it!

Then I go to Jacksonville,Florida to see another dear friend. I will work on a proposal for my new book while she is working. We will then have fun on the weekends. I have to rent a car and get around by myself.  I have done all of my own packing and I am actually getting through today without stress- I have to be at the airport at 4AM tomorrow!

Why am I telling you all of this mundane stuff?  Because just a few years ago none [ Read More ]





reader comments….

Hi,It’s really early in the morning and I’m off to my trip to Texas. So far,so good! No anxiety at all!

I will not be on the blog for a few days.  There are many reader comments where people ask questions= please feel free to answer them with any advice you may have.  As always,be careful not to offer medical advice,but you can offer suggestions and places to go for more information!

Julie





Manic Grandiosity

When my partner Ivan got really sick in 1994,he told me he believed he was a genius. This upset him a lot because there was a part of him who knew this was an odd thing to feel,but the other part believed it. When he got so ill he could no longer have a coherent conversation,he definitely thought he knew more than most people.

Grandiosity is characterize by a person truly,truly believing that they are better than everyone and they make sure people know it! I remember being manic once and looking in the mirror and thinking- I am more beautiful than every person I know! That is manic grandiosity at its best! Manic grandiosity is very different from narcissism. The grandiosity that comes with mania is episodic- in other words it is ONLY there during a bipolar disorder mood swing. Narcissism is [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder Medications:What is Zyprexa? (Olanzapine)

 Zyprexa,also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.

It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person,but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.

Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)

I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill.  It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many,the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and [ Read More ]





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