About Julie | Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Lucky me! Lucky me!

When you’re a person who is depressed for most of the time, you have to really notice and appreciate the times when things go right. I have a phrase I use to remind myself that good things do happy when I’m depressed. I think it’s important to have a phrase to use each time- a nice short phrase where you can say thanks for what happened and then move on.

I survive this constant depression by meeting with people as much as possible. When I have a good meeting- or someone helps me feel better, or I learn something or I get to go to karaoke and have fun!

I say, “Lucky me. Lucky me! ‘ to myself. This triggers the realization good things happen to me.

What phrase can you use!

Julie

Can you work when you are depressed?

Yes! Absolutely! Always! It’s hard but I can do it!

That is what you will normally hear me say and it’s true. I can work when I’m depressed. My problem is that I don’t want to work when I’m stable. How often are you stable? It’s a new world to me that I rarely get to visit, but I have noticed many things about this world.

- People like to just sit around and do things- watch TV, go to a movie, have coffee with friends, knit, mess around in the garage, fish, take a walk, relax in a bath, listen to music, go on a road trip. ETC.

Those things are all so hard for me due to mood swings. I’ve had five days of stability recently. No mania and a bit of depression only. And I don’t feel like [ Read More ]

Am I in a dream? Is this a bipolar reality show?

Is this illness really REAL? I ask myself this all of the time.

I was diagnosed with ultra rapid cycling bipolar II with psychotic features in 1995. Now there is a diagnosis! I had my first hypomanic episode in 1980. So I have been living with bipolar disorder for all of my adult life. I’m 47 now. You would think that I would be used to it. I’m not. It always shocks me when I get really sick. The mood swings are just so odd. They can be so random and simply stupid- I can get psychotic just because someone is rude to me in public? That is crazy! I have an argument with my brother and I get in my car and cry so hard I can’t drive? I go out and have fun and meet someone attractive and I get OCD so badly I never call the person again?

How about the depression [ Read More ]

An Humongous Thank You

There will never be enough words to say thank you to all of the readers of this blog. The comments and support mean a lot to me. I wish that I could reply to every comment- but alas, it’s not possible. BUT, I read every comment and will reply when I can.

Support is what matters to people with bipolar disorder. We need support and I feel that we need to support others so that we know life has meaning. Julie

It’s My Birthday Today! 47

I’m 47 years old today. I have to admit I’m not much of a birthday fan. I find them stressful as I have a party and always think no one will show up. Is that bipolar or what!!! Of course, people do show up and we have fun. I just do happy hour and then karaoke. Turning 47 is hard. It says to me- one more year gone by of depression Julie! One more year of rapid cycling! One more year! And then I say to myself, “What @#$@#$ Julie. That is ridiculous. Depression wants you to focus on age. Life wants you to focus on friends, self improvement, bipolar mangements, work and life in general. How good are you as a person Julie? Do you hurt people? Do you let your bipolar wreck your relationships like you used to? No, no, no! So what if I’m 47. It’s great I have made it this [ Read More ]

Is bipolar disorder illness really REAL? I ask myself this all of the time.

How about the depression that comes from change? It can even be good change such as [ Read More ]

Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Lucky me! Lucky me!

Can you work when you are depressed?

Am I in a dream? Is this a bipolar reality show?

An Humongous Thank You

It’s My Birthday Today! 47

Is bipolar disorder illness really REAL? I ask myself this all of the time.

Who Is Julie A. Fast?

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