Archive for July, 2009

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

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

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 half-marathon. This probably sounds bananas to other people but I’m just not sure what to cut out. I have never known anything else. I have trouble stepping away from the cape I guess. Any input would be great.

Thanks

- Melissa -

Click on the arrow to hear the answer.

 
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Posted in Podcasts | 1 Comment »

Reader Question: Do you have ebooks?

Friday, July 17th, 2009

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 me know how to contact them and I will make sure they have the books for their library.

I’m going to record my bipolarhappens.com ebooks into mp3 files in the next few months. I know that a lot of people prefer to listen to the information, especially when bipolar or the bipolar disorder medications are making it difficult to read. That happend to me when I took lithium!

I love the immediacy with ebooks. Especially when you’re in a crisis or need more information about bipolar disorder as quickly as possible.

There is a pic below of the amazon.com Kindle ebook reader. I have seen one- they are fantastic. I still prefer to hold books, but this is the future. I wonder if it will make it easier for people with bipolar disorder to focus as you can change the size of the font and the look of the screen.

Julie

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Posted in About Julie, Reader Questions | 1 Comment »

Amazing Parenting Resource Website

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

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

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Posted in Children/teens | No Comments »

Bipolar Depression and hot chili soup

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

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

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Posted in Depression | 4 Comments »

A Thought for the Day

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

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 to myself….. as well as readers. ;)

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Posted in About Julie, Bipolar Treatment Tips | 6 Comments »

Help for bipolar disorder rapid cycling: Answer to reader question

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

    

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 mood swings a day. I always say it makes me feel like a rag doll someone is throwing up in the air over and over again!A mixed episode (also called dysphoric mania) is not up and down in discrete mood swings- it means that you are depressed and manic at the same time- which is also called dysphoric mania. The best way to describe this is that instead of the rag doll being thrown up and down, it’s begin yanking from all sides. It hurts inside and out!

It’s interesting that you’re getting a blood test- that is always important. It is used to rule out thyroid problems as well as to check the levels of meds you may be on such as checking lithium levels. There is no blood test for bipolar disorder. One day there will be!Also, if you have rapid cycling like this- it’s rarely a good idea for you to take anti depressants- and if you ever do, they absolutely must be with a strong mood stablizer such as Lithium, Tegretol or Depakote- or with an anti psychotic such as Zyprexa, Risperdal or Serequel- you can take them with Lamictal- but Lamictal is often not strong enough to hold back the rapid cycling caused by anti depressants. Also, anti depressants in people with rapid cycling have a chance of causing suicidal episodes. I just went through this with Zoloft! I’m glad you have a doctor to help you with this!

These drugs help- but they can have a lot of side effects- so the right combination at the right dose is essential.As for tips, I really love my Health Cards Treatment Plan, but as you are going up and down so much- I think that Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder is your best choice for now. It has a lot of explanation, but also a lot of tips. It’s an easy read. Remember, even if you just implement a few changes- you can get a lot better.  I use my treatment plan every day- and I stay well enough to have a good life. You can defintely do the same!

Julie

There is more information on rapid cycling and mixed mania in the categories to your right.

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Posted in Rapid Cycling, Reader Questions | 1 Comment »

Bipolar Disorder Mania Check In

Monday, July 13th, 2009

It’s hard to write about mania considering that I have been in a downswing for a week, but it’s a topic I have to continually address- I hear stories all summer about people who go off their meds because they feel so GREAT and then the disasters that follow. It’s easy to think – the sun is just so WONDERUFL!!!!!! when the weather gets nice, you’re off school, you have a vacation, the kids are home, etc. 

There is no doubt that summer is wonderful if you were depressed in the winter- but this is just a friendly reminder that when things get WONDERFUL!!!!!, it’s time to check for mania. Here are some questions to ask yourself – or ask the person you care about.

1. Are you sleeping a lot less than what is considered the norm- but are still filled with energy the next day? The norm is six to eight hours- mania sleep would be less than five hours for example- or sometimes not even sleeping at all.

2. Did what seemed truly hopeless suddenly become full of possibility and beauty?

3. Are the people in your life commenting on your energy level and that you need to cool it?

4. Are you more creative, but less functional?  

5. Do you have the thought that you don’t need your medications as you feel JUST FINE!

6. Are you acting ( or even thinking ) compulsively regarding spending, sexuality, travel, etc?

7. Are you filled with nervous and uncomfortable energy?  Is this energy painful and worrisome- but you can’t seem to calm down?

8. Is your mind racing, are you starting to see things and hear things, do you feel paranoid or agitated?

There are two levels of mania- hypomania (bipolar II) and full blown mania (bipolar I). Mania can start slowly and stay at a low level. This is called hypomania.

Mania can also start really quickly and spin out of control and often into psychosis really quickly. This is called full blown mania.

Within the levels of mania- there is

Euphoric (happy! grandiose!)

Mania and dysphoric/mixed mania (agitation, racing thoughts, irritation, anger, feeling uncomfortable.)

I created the Health Cards Treatment System to help my depression- but they have helped the most in terms of mania. It’s hard to catch lightening in a bottle- and mania is like lightening. The treatment window is SO short.

Please make sure you are ready for the absolutely first signs that it’s starting. Fill out or look at your mania Health Card. 

I want us all to have a wonderful summer- not a WONDERFUL!!!!! summer.

Julie

My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has more information about mania symptoms.

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Posted in Mania, quizes | 4 Comments »

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