This is a great comment about work, so I have to put it here. It’s inspirational to see that we all go through similar things- that’s because it’s an illness!
Hi Julie,
I can relate about work. I am a writer in a high-pressure full-time journalism job. I live with bpII with features of ADD and OCD. (Meds are Depakote and Strattera, with the possibility to soon add an anti-depressant, probably Prozac.) What I struggle with most along intellectual/spiritual lines is the fact that I seem to present myself many times as a person with dual and opposing facets. I am an intense, driven and proven successful person in my field with the penchant to pore over projects, revise, and not let go of them until deadline time is upon me, in a quest for full accuracy and near-perfection. Some would see me as “having it all together.” However, I’m also the person who has [ Read More ]
I flounder without a very rigid schedule. If I have too much free time, the thoughts take over and life can get pretty miserable. When I’m well, I don’t have to worry about this, but as I deal with depression pretty regularly, I realize that being scheduled is a lot better than the ‘let’s see what happens’ mentality.
Those on disability or those who can’t work much still need set schedules in order to stay happy and stable. My dear friend Sherri and I talk about this all of the time. Since her manic episode in 2007, she has not been able to work like she used to- and yet she still needs to work intellectually! It’s a rotten situation to be in. So we talk a lot about her schedule and what she can do on the days she doesn’t work. You can only meet so many friends and go to so many [ Read More ]
I always find weekends difficult when I’m depressed- so I make sure I always have something to do on a Friday and Saturday night. As many of you know, I’ve decided to remain single for the rest of 2009, so I spend a lot of time with friends. When I’m well, I can do things on the spur of the moment- but I know myself too well, so I plan very carefully for the weekend nights. Otherwise, my plan to stay single gets a little lonely!
Do you have trouble on the weekends? It’s probably a cultural thing!
I was quite ill in January. I just had three days of major mood swings last weekend.
Today I am fine.
It’s so important to remember that bipolar disorder is an episodic illness. It literally can come and go. I feel like I have to do my best work between the mood swings!
Hang in there if you’re sick today- when you use a treatment plan that works- and when you work on your triggers, you can definitely get better.
Sometimes there are no triggers and the illness just shows up and stays too long. That can get better as well.
It’s up and down with bipolar, but there can also be long periods where it is just in the middle and you can get on in life.
Every once in a while, I will try something new and think- oh, that’s such a great idea! It will be fun and will help my business. So, I started a FACEBOOK account. Well, if you read this blog a lot, I am sure you know where this is going. Fun for others can turn into a bit of an obsession for me. It’s not that I was obsessed with Facebook- it’s that my brain found it stressful. I am sure you know what I mean. It was an experiment that I am glad I tried. It IS good for business to get myself out there so that I can connect with readers. and it IS a good idea to keep up to date with my writing friends and their projects.
In theory.
I want to stay well- especially when it comes to internet [ Read More ]
I turned in a large, important and wonderful project on Sunday night. It’s now Tuesday. The project is a proposal for my new book. This is a big undertaking, so I know I have to be extra careful about my health. I was careful! Early to bed early to rise! No late nights- decided to put a hold on a daily phone call I often have with a very stressed and negative friend, etc. I am really working hard to stay stable.
This certainly helped me finish the proposal. I was so elated to have it done! Real pleasure.
Then I went up.. .and down.. and up.. then WAY down and finally back up. That was just on Sunday!
The same thing happened all day yesterday. Finally, but 11 that night, I was worn out, but up again. I took an Ativan and then [ Read More ]
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