Depressing media coverage of our ‘economic’situation

My media fast

I decided to go on a media fast a few months ago. All of the depressing news about our world economy was not helping the reality of my own economic situation! So I turned off all news. I stopped listening to NPR,reading Yahoo headlines,looking at newspapers and reading business magazines. It has now been over three months. I am such a differnt person. i don’t wake up at 4AM in a panic. I don’t feel like I’m missing much- I can listen to a download of a show if needed. I am worried about the world,but I can only help the world if I’m well. 

It has helped immensely. And I still manage to know what is going on in the world as my friends are very informed.

I will do whatever it takes to stay stable so that I can work and make my own money. I don’t [ Read More ]





Posted on June 17th,2009 | Tags:, | Category:About Julie

Podcast:Conversations with Sherri- Pt 1 MANIA

I am excited to post my new bipolarhappens.com podcast series called Conversations with Sherri.

Sherri is a dear friend of mine who has bipolar I. She has been in an off and on manic/psychotic episode for over two years- and of course,there is a lot of depression mixed in there as well. In this opening podcast,Sherri and I talk about her bipolar disorder one  history as well as her experiences of mania. She is such an honest and funny person! Our next conversation is on benzodiazapine addiction –Sherri just got off a 20 year Klonopin habit. No kidding. She’s a rock star.

I think you will really enjoy and be enthralled by this candid and very informative conversation about mania and all of it’s symptoms and troubles.

Please do leave your comments on ourconversation and what you would like us to talk about in the future. After the Klonopin conversation- we will discuss [ Read More ]





Cyclothymia- a milder form of bipolar disorder

I just received the following comment from Eddie:

Thanks for sharing the secret and lucky I found your blog. Going to have a look at your videos in a second.

I have been doing some blogging therapy –I have never been offically diagnosed but I positive I have some mild form of bipolar. Clyctomania I believe its called.

Any comments/ thoughts would be great.

Hi Eddie,

Cyclothymia is harder to diagnosis for sure- I suggest that you start a mood swing chart where you chart your moods every night- it’s easy to do. I will do a blog on it soon with a link to a download mood swing chart- there is one in the back of my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder along with one of my charts- the book is all book stores- so you could look at it and start your own.

I have charted my mood nightly for the [ Read More ]





Posted on June 15th,2009 | Tags:, | Category:Bipolar Treatment Tips

A good night….

I’m well tonight!

Normally I would write that sentence:I’m not sick tonight! but I’m going to be positive this evening.

It always amazes me how normal it is to be normal. I sort of just do things without thinking about them. When the bipolar disorder is going strong- which is about 85% of the time (I chart my moods so that % is pretty accurate!) I often have to struggle and grasp and gasp to keep going. But when I’m well like I am tonight,things are just so much more simple.  I can be alone with ease. I make dinner. I read and write my blog. I can DO things. Do you think anyone can understand what I mean unless they have bipolar? I don’t think so! People take the normal stuff for granted. Getting up without thinking your life is pointless is how most people live. I’d like to be most people- [ Read More ]





Posted on June 15th,2009 | Tags:, | Category:About Julie

bipolar mood swings and the beauty of a rose

Bipolar is so very weird. When I’m depressed I can look at this rose and see nothing of beauty. I’ve also had experiences where the beauty of something is painful because I feel so left out.

With mania,the rose is too beautiful. I could look into it forever –which is not exactly true as when I’m manic I don’t do anything for very long. My attention would be grabbed by something even more beautiful.

When my ex partner Ivan was really psychotic and in the hospital- I took him a rose- it had a lot of symbolic meaning to him- it was blood red- it caused pain- etc.

Well,it’s pretty obvious that a rose isn’t just a rose is a rose…. ;)

Today I want to just look at the rose for what it is. A beautiful flower.  I live in Portland,Oregon- also known as the [ Read More ]





Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder:Reader Question

  A Reader Question for Julie Fast  

Hi,I just received a question from Sandra asking if it’s normal that her depression seems to show up every two months- oh,yes it is normal! Here is my answer: 

 hi Julie,

I have a question.  Looking back at about eight months of journaling,I noticed that every two months or so,my entries suggest that I was depressed.  It would appear that this is cycling every two months.  Could this be accurate?  Anything I can do to correct it?  Yes,I will bring it up with my psychiatrist at the next appointment.

Thanks!

Hi Sandra,

Bipolar disorder is an episode illness- as compared to psychotic or personality disorders which are more stable over time. This means a person can have a few severe episodes and then none for a few years- or someone,like myself can have mood swings [ Read More ]





Page 2 of 3123