Podcast:Reader Question:How do I find balance when I’m over extended!

I just received this bipolarhappens.com blog reader question from Melissa. I started to write a response and then thought- wait a minute! This would make a great question for the podcast. So,here is the question and the podcast at the end has my answer:

My prescriber and therapist contend that my lifestyle is the root of many of my problems. I just can’t seem to even visualize what a calmer lifestyle would look like let alone try for it. I have three children –one with special needs -,I work around 40 hours a week,I commute for an hour each direction and I manage the household. Yes I do have a husband which helps take some of the pressure off and then in other ways puts more pressure on. I also dabble in a party plan business and am trying to lose weight and get healthier –including starting training for a [ Read More ]





Reader Question:Do you have ebooks?

I just received a question from Michael asking- Do  your books come in ebook format?

Hi Michael,

I started my career with ebooks. My Health Cards Treatment Plan for Bipolar Disorder and my books Tips for Talking with Health Care Professionals and Bipolar Happens are available in ebook form. My coauthor Dr. John Preston has an ebook called The Medical Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.  These books are available on www.bipolarhappens.com. If you scroll to the middle of the page,you will see the ebooks.

My books Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder,Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and Get it Done When You’re Depressed were all traditionally published. They are available in ebook form for the Kindle. The Kindle is the new amazon.com hand held electronic book reader. These books are also available in book stores. You can also ask your local mental health organization if they have the books. If they don’t,please let [ Read More ]





Amazing Parenting Resource Website

I am going to speak to a branch of the Stand Up Parenting organization in the next few months. I am quite amazed at the quality of what they offer for parents in terms of learning skills to work with teens and adult children. It definietly translates to parents of children with bipolar disorder.

http://www.standupparenting.org/

A dear friend of mine has a 14 year old son who is really acting like a 14 year old! He said to me,“Where are the groups for parents who are great parents who need more skills to deal with teens!”

I look foward to speaking to the group here in Portland,Oregon.

Julie





Bipolar Depression and hot chili soup

Well,these are actually tips to trick depression!

Go about your day even when the depression is lurking at your back and knocking at your door. It may feel like you can’t get out and get things done,but you can. Your legs still work- and you are still you.

Watch There is Something About Mary or Bowfinger.

Find the Success Baby picture on this blog.

Remind yourself over and over again that depression feels the same every single time- no matter when the situation. This means it’s an illness and not you.

Eat some hot sundubo Korean soup. I am not joking here- very hot chilies release endorphins.  You can also eat hot Thai food.

Julie





A Thought for the Day

Just because one things goes ‘wrong’it doesn’t mean that all things are going wrong!

Bipolar is a tricky task master- it says- oh,something just caused you some trouble? That’s because it has always caused you trouble and it will always cause you trouble in the future. Things will always go wrong for you!

In truth,all and I mean all situations are separate experiences. What lead to the moment and what comes after the moment are separate as well. Don’t judge one moment in time against all of your life.

 We can get through anything- especially the little things that bipolar disorder tells us are so important.

Most events are not that important. They come and go.  Things go wrong and we move on. What matters is that we don’t connect these events to other events to create a stream of WRONGNESS!

It’s just one event at at time. Julie

This is a note [ Read More ]





Posted on July 14th,2009 | Tags:, | Category:About Julie,Bipolar Treatment Tips

Help for bipolar disorder rapid cycling:Answer to reader question

    

A Reader Question for Julie Fast

I just received a comment from Reanna about her rapid cycling that won’t stop. I have been there so I understand! She asked a question about bipolar disorder treatment. Here is the question and my answer:Julie,Reading your posts has been very helpful–thank you! I have been having a horrible time with “mixed episodes” in where I will be up for a few hours,then out of no where,boom,I am down,then up,then down! My dr. ordered blood tests,but any suggestions on coping methods until the tests kick in?Reanna

Hi Reanna,Oh yes,I certainly understand. I have done that rapid cycling. It’s hard to get all of the terms straight with this illness! When you go up and then down- that is rapid cycling. A lot of rapid cycling. We are similar. I can have five or more [ Read More ]





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