Marie just left a comment on my mania post below. It was very insightful and helpful.

And… she asked this question- it REALLY made me think.

I would like to have one really good healthy day in which I did not question myself! How about you?

At first, my answer was- oh yes! Just one day this week! Then I had another thought- it’s rather esoteric.
This illness stinks. It has been terrible for me this week and it may be terrible today- luckily I woke up pretty stable- but overall, I am a different person because of this illness.

I have to manage bipolar disorder 24 hours a day in order to stay stable. I watch what I say, do and really try to counteract what I think when I’m sick. This makes me a better friend, partner, daughter, student, teacher, etc.
 
We have to be more aware when we have bipolar disorder - which means we can be more aware of the people around us. Most people aren’t like this. They are just living life (lucky!) - but we have to examine our lives continually in order to stay well. We might as well make the most of it.

Julie

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Hi, if you’re new to this blog, make sure you go to the video tab on the right and check out my videos.

You can see my cat…  and hear more about my work and how I started writing books after being sick for so long.

I will post later today.

Julie

Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings are so unpredictable!

Well, I just got out of a rotten down swing. What’s so amazing and just as frustrating about this illness is that we can be extremely ill one day- even suicidal and then boom. It’s gone. It wears me out, but I’m glad to be my normal self again.

When I get really sick- no matter what the mood swing- I use all of my energy to remind myself of one thing:

I think, say and do certain things depending on the type of mood swing I’m experiencing. This means it’s an illness.

Once I learned all of my symptoms- I wrote them on my Health Cards and my life changed forever.

I used the Health Cards all week last week! Depression is so hard.

Julie

I’m going to rename the Health Cards so feel free to send me your ideas. If you’re not familiar with the Health Cards, they are the treatment plan I created in 1999. You can read about the system on www.bipolarhappens.com

Well, I woke up depressed, so I’m going to do every single thing possible to make sure I have a good day. 

I will read:

Donald Trump: Never Give Up

I will be with friends: I can call or set up times to see them.

I WILL appreciate the fact that my mom lives close by and I can see her.  I am so lucky and I know it.

I can play with my mom’s puppy- her name is Cookie and she is an amazing depression buster!

and of course,,, I will remind myself all day that this is an illness and that nothing has changed in my life. I’m depressed because I have bipolar disorder.

It will get better as long as I keep moving forward.

Julie

I always try to have perspective when I’m well. I remind myself that this is what NORMAL feels like. I get up- see people- work - get on with my day and go to bed normally. I sleep! It’s all a miracle and I don’t plan on wasting it.

 I’m entering some new work areas and I’m a bit PETRIFIED about the changes I have to make. I like to read Donald Trump books when things are tough. Right now I’m reading - NEVER GIVE UP!

 Bipolar disorder can be managed.  I am proof- this is what I say to myself on the tough days.

Julie