My friend Sherri has been sick off and on for a few years. She had a bad manic/psychotic episode two years ago and had to stay on quite high doses of Zyprexa to keep the mania from coming back.

I often write about Sherri- I call her my hero.

So, I just talked with her- she is doing  SO well. It took a long time, but the real Sherri is back and she sounds great.  Her doctor wants her to stay on a low dose of the Zyprexa as there are no serious side effects. She still takes her lithium.

Sherri saw her doctor yesterday. She talked about her anxiety – the doctor said,  “Sherri, you have to find ways to deal with anxiety without using the Klonopin.” Sherri knows this is true- but it’s hard. Sometimes the anti anxiety meds are not what works the best- we have to find ways to reduce our anxiety on our own.

What does a person do to reduce high levels of anxiety? That is the question Sherri and I are going to explore the next time we meet. I have a lot of ideas. I will write about them soon.  Right now, I make a promise to myself that I am going to tackle the 215 email in my inbox. The anxiety of not doing the task is getting worse than the actual work.

Julie

================================

Fantastic Radio Show and a Flooded Basement

I just finished my final live radio show for the season. I interviewed Terri Cheney- the author of the bestselling memoir, Manic. We talked about memoir writing- it was so much fun and great encouragement for everyone who wants to write about their experiences.

The radio show has been really stressful for me- lots of anxiety. It hasn’t really been all bipolar anxiety- I know what that feels like- it has been the kind of anxiety disorder anxiety. Believe me, it’s awful. I love the hours in the studio. It’s the hours up to it that cause me trouble.

But anyway! Today’s show was fantastic. And then I got home…..

My basement was flooded. Hmm.

I am glad the show went so well. I’m super glad my roommate was home and caught it early. I’m extremely glad I’m not depressed.

But gosh! Can’t I just enjoy the end of the anxiety!

I’m glad I’m not sick and that I can laugh about the…

$340 dollar emergency plumbing bill! That does not include the actual work. I’m in the wrong profession. The plumber was cute.

Terri’s interview will be on juliefast.com in the next few days. I think you will really enjoy it. I sure did. It put me in a good mood so that I could deal with this homeowner crisis.

julie

Hi there,

 As a reminder, I’m having a call in radio show for the first time today! If you scroll down, there is a blog entry with all of the details. You can read all about the radio guests and today’s show at www.juliefast.com/radio

I’m having my typical pre show anxiety. It has been quite awful for months now! No matter how much I prepare or how well the shows go, I have the anxiety every time. It’s a physical thing.

In celebration of this anxiety, I’m going to offer my anxiety treatment tips throughout the show today. I have to laugh at it and make the changes needed.  The show must go on!

I hope you can call. Julie