October 19th, 2009
I guess it’s ok to say the fo llowing is an amazing article- even though I wrote it! I am so proud and pleased with how this turned out. It’s the first explanation that I know of regarding the differences between the psychosis found in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and the psychosis found in mood disorders that have mania and depression mood swings. You will learn that the differences are quite large- but often confused. Please let me know what you think. Here is a link to the article on the website www.healthyplace.com
Click here to read the article: Julie Fast psychosis article on HealthyPlace.com
I feel this is especially helpful for family members, partners and friends of those with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder psychosis is SO confusing as it’s always present with either depression or mania.
Please let me know what you think of the article. I have a new one coming soon from www.healthyplace.com and will keep you posted.
Please note that healthyplace.com shows the article section by section and you will need to click over to the next section!
Julie
PS: I wrote this when I was quite depressed- so it’s a testament that we can work to the best of our ability when we are ill. I missed a deadline for the first time in my career- but that is how it goes- what matters is that I finished. The depression went away eventually as it always does.
Tags: bipolar disorder psychosis, depression psychosis, manic psychosis, psychosis
Posted in Articles, psychosis | 5 Comments »
October 14th, 2009
I have always liked the words greatness, champion and hard worker. I apply those to bipolar disorder management. I like to see myself as a champion. I certainly hope for greatness. To me these words mean that I simply keep going no matter what bipolar disorder throws at me. Sometimes I limp- fall down, hurt myself and dont’ want to go forward. I know that is what bipolar disorder wants. I remember coming out of some manic episodes in the past and feeling that I would never recover from what I did while I was manic. But I recovered. I remember being so suicidal that I could hardly move because of fear I would do something I regretted. When I realized that I could make it through anything, that’s when I started to write my books. You may not know this, but I wrote all of my books while depressed. I am sure you can understand that I wasn’t exactly sitting down to write when the hypomania decided to show up.
How are things for you today? Maybe you just got out of the hospital, did something stupid while you were manic, said something awful to someone you love, thought of killing yourself or spent money you didn’t have.
I’ve been there! I’ve done that! My idea of a champion is someone who makes it through bipolar situations and then finds a way to keep going so that they can create a plan for the future- a much better future.
Julie
Tags: Bipolar Help
Posted in About Julie | 6 Comments »
October 12th, 2009
As may of you know if you’re a regular to this blog- I had a very bad reaction when I changed from brand name Lamictal to to generic Lamictal (lamtrigine.) Others made the switch just fine. If you have switched over from your brand Lamictal to generic Lamtrigine and have noticed a difference in the efficacy of the drug, there are many blog entries under the Lamictal tab to the right that explain generic bipolar drugs in great detail. You can also ready my story- it was quite a saga! But it has all worked out. My mother who takes Lamictal had no problems and has stayed on the lamotrigine. I went back to brand Lamictal and am very happy with the results. No matter what you take, knowledge of generic bipolar disorder drugs is essential!
Julie
This is not generic Lamictal…. yes, I am trying to make you laugh!
Tags: bipolar disorder medications, generic bipolar disorder drugs, generic lamictal, generic lamotrigine
Posted in Lamictal, Medications | 2 Comments »
October 7th, 2009
Oh boy can this illness make a person sick. That is just a fact. I guess you can change that sentence around- We all get sick and tired of having this illness. One thing I want to do on this blog is to encourage people to keep going and going even when the days are really tough. One good thing about bipolar disorder is that it’s episodic- that means mood swings end. You can get better. Sometimes it takes way longer than expected- but life can be stable.
I tend to talk a lot about depression as that is what I experience the most- some of my friends talk more about the agitated mania or the psychosis they live with, sometimes for a long stretch of time. Sometimes you can have all three at once- dysphoric mania.
Today is a good day because I can get work done- today is a good day becuase I have a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) event tonight.
It’s important to focus on the good stuff during the day when you’re having a hard time- even if it’s only a small thing.
Julie
Tags: Bipolar Help, NAMI/DBSA
Posted in About Julie | 2 Comments »
October 3rd, 2009
Bipolar disorder doesn’t like change. It likes structure and set schedules.
I’m not trying to anthropomorphize bipolar disorder. When I say ‘it’ I do know it’s an illness, but it can sure seem like a human adversary. It’s tricky, sneaky and nasty. Those are not exactly good qualities! But just like with any human adversary, it is possible to minimize the damage.
When an event sends you spiraling down into depression, it’s easy to think that everything in your life is spiraling down. That is what bipolar disorder does. It distorts your thinking so that one event becomes about your whole life. So when you have a problem – with a relationship for example, bipolar disorder symptoms will whisper that this means you have trouble with all of your relationships and that you will never have good relationships again.
It doesn’t matter that this is impossible. It feels very real and the spiraling downward continues. Here is what you can do:
1. Say to yourself over and over again- ‘My life is made up of many, many experiences. This one experience is important, but it doesn’t mean my entire life is about this experience.’
2. Remind yourself that even the worst pain in the world can eventually end. Bipolar disorder will lie and tell you it won’t, but it does.
3. And finally, there is a person in you that has zero to do with this illness. The illness is like a blanket- it affects the real you, but it’s not you. Remember that when it feels that the blanket has covered up all of your life.
The way to end a downward spiral is to do anything and every thing to go into an upward spiral. The three suggestions above are a good start.
Julie
PS: Can you tell that I need my own advice today! It’s always important that I only listen to the real person- myself!
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
October 2nd, 2009
Life is good. I am working and getting things done.
I’m not manic.
I’m not depressed.
I’m busy like a normal person who isn’t manic would be busy.
This is such a dream come true. I just wrote a newsletter about the topic of goals and how long it takes to reach them when bipolar disorder is involved. I am never sure how long a period of stablity will last, but I will do everything in my power to keep it going!
How are you doing?
julie
Tags: bipolar disorder stability
Posted in About Julie | 2 Comments »
September 28th, 2009
Many people may think it odd that I start talking about my holiday plans in August! Now it’s September and I’m moving into holiday planning mode full time. I’ve had way, way too many depressed and stressed holidays to go through them again. It’s odd, because I have family and friends in my life who are very dear to me- but often our plans don’t work out or I find myself in the dark weather of the Pacific Northwest. So many of us in this area deal with the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder as well! I think the poll to your right reflects the same concerns for many of us with bipolar disorder. (There is a new poll up as of today- the past polls will be displayed soon. 58% of the people who tool the holiday poll said the holidays were very stressful. ) So let’s do something about it!
My solution? I plan now as much as I can for the traditional holidays that are expected in the next few months. I know where I will be, who I will be with and hopefully it’s somewhere in the sun!
So, I invite you to look ahead to the November and December holidays and then project into the New Year’s Eve celebtrations as well. Where do you want to be and who do you want to be with! There is plenty of time to plan.
Julie
Tags: bipolar disorder and holidays, bipolar holiday stress, holiday blues
Posted in holidays | 5 Comments »
