This is the first time I feel compelled to comment. I could never make plans in volunteering or even make a date plan for the weekend because I never knew whether I was going to be “in the mood” to show up when that day comes. I used to feel so bad about this “personality trait” and wish I could change it and not be so “spontaneous” where I can stick to my dates/plans but almost always failed. I work for myself as a massage therapist and skincare therapist. Many times when clients book appts with me by the time it’s my appt I sometimes just fled the house or sometimes I would call them and let them know that “I couldn’t make the appt.” There wasn’t anything physically wrong that I felt I had to “fled” or more appropriately “flake” from my clients, but I guess it is, because there is something “physically” very wrong with my brain that affects my moods and emotions which affect my actions and judgements.

I bought all 3 of your books on Amazon and I’m reading take charge of bipolar the 4 step plan and I find it really helpful. I also purchased your health cards a couple of years ago…not once, but twice (the pdf format downloaded from the internet) but now I STILL can’t find it on my computer. In fact, I have a hard time finding ANY and ALL of my stuff. Guess this is a symptom of having this disorder because I just read in another blog just now there was another reader who said she bought your health card systems with her boyfriend but has not used it yet and couldn’t find where it is either.

Now I know when I don’t feel like doing the things that need to be done it’s because my brain is “playing tricks on me” and I can take a deep breath and just go out and do it anyway even though I might feel so overwhelmed and scared and anxious. Sometimes when I feel REAL anxious like I was going to lose my mind then I just sleep or drive to the beach to be by myself so I don’t start yelling at everybody that come closed to me….

Thank you so much for having this blog and letting us leave comments and feedback! Sometimes I feel SO ALONE because I don’t have friends who have the same disorder and my family is not around. I try to educate my family about this disorder.

Julie,I really hope you will go around the country and get on every radio or tv shows as you can to raise awareness in this world about this disorder! I need to be known and understood….

Hi Jessica,

I love your post. It’s so honest – and it sounds just like myself and the rest of us with this rotten illness! I can tell that you have the knowledge to see your symptoms- and that you are getting out there and doing what you can. The purse idea sounds great to me! Remember, you don’t have to feel like working- at all- to do a great job. You CAN work when you’re depressed- my book get it done when you’re depressed talks about this on every page! The next time you feel you aren’t doing enough- just keep going because I bet you are doing the best you can. Julie