Bipolar Depression Cure: The World’s Greatest Truck!

I was really depressed the other day – and I mean really depressed. My friend Pat called and said, “How can I help you Julie? You always say that you need action when you’re depressed. So why don’t you come over and we can have dinner!”

This is what I need when I’m sick. It was hard to say yes, but I did. I felt much better when I got there – we went to a friend’s tulip farm and had a great time with some other friends. All the while- the depression was eating away at my brain- at least that is what it felt like- but I kept going.

On the way back to her house, we saw a truck parked next to a field. From the moment I saw it- I knew it was a message to me- Julie, no matter what happens with this illness, sometimes you just have to REALLY [ Read More ]





Sunday night- finally feeling more stable….

I went to the wedding of an old flame of mine yesterday. Believe me- seeing someone get married is a wonderful thing- but it can be a rather depressing thing when you’re already depressed- and you’re seeing an ex look so happy! (Depression makes a person very selfish! )

My downswing from last Thursday has continued off and on. The secret is to keep doing exactly what you would do if you were NOT depressed. That is what keeps me going. I drove to Seattle from Portland- met a dear friend and went with her to the wedding. My mom came with me on the trip- so that was nice. And all the time- I was sad and depressed on the inside – and trying hard to be normal on the outside. I did a really good job which means that I actually did have a lot of good times on the trip!

 It is possible [ Read More ]





Bipolar depression: it IS unfair!

I struggle with the word ‘unfair.’  Some of my friends suggest that I shouldn’t use the word as it’s pointless to all this illness unfair. Other say- oh yes Julie- use the word unfair because it is unfair that people with bipolar disorder and those who love us have to struggle so much!

I am going to use the word UNFAIR today! I was fine for three days. Normal- with normal thoughts and behaviors. Then I woke up with IT. Nothing changed in the past few days- but IT is here. Ok. I can hear what my brain is saying- what is the point of work? It’s just a bunch of writing and email and getting nowhere!

What is the point of anything really- you’re not very happy and your life is pretty boring.

 I could go on! I am sure you can add plenty to this list.

I can’t and won’t listen. It’s an [ Read More ]





Bipolar disorder and severe depression…

You can survive this illness…… even when it feels impossible

I’m just getting out of two days of hell. Absolute hell. I had simultaneous severe depression and relentless OCD thinking.  I am finally better tonight.  Here’s what I did:

Dealt with work disappointment in a reasonable and realistic way. I am in a tough, tough business. There is more disappointment than success- that’s part of being in a media profession. This means I MUST be ready for the depression that comes with disappointment. Once I realized I was depressed- which was not hard since I know my signs completely- I then went into management mode.  This is an illness. I used the tips in all of my books 24 hours a day. Literally- because if I wake up with obsessive thoughts, I have to take care of things so that I can get back to sleep! It’s hard. I got out of bed. It’s the [ Read More ]





I am having a tough time.. what to say, who to tell!

Well, it’s always a challenge to know when to be honest and when to be sort of honest or when to lie!

I’m refereing to how I tell people if I’m depressed. It really depends on a lot of things. How is the person I’m talking to doing? Do they need to hear what I’m going through or do I just need to listen to them? How do I present my situation? Is it possible I’m overwhleming them?

I learned a long time ago to spread out my depression talk in order to keep my friendships balanced. If I’m always asking for help from friends without giving them anything in return, I become a problem and not a friend. I’ve wrecked quite a few friendships this way. If someone asks me, ‘How are you?’ and my answer is always, ‘I’m really depressed!’ then who in the heck wants to talk to me! People want to [ Read More ]





Bipolar Depression… once again!

I have had a tough time lately- can you identify with that! Ha. ha.

I’m an optimist when I’m depressed no matter how sick I get- because in the back of my mind I just have to know it’s an illness. It distorts things so much it’s better just to focus on getting things done. So that is what I’m doing today. I’m helping a friend write a book on public speaking. I got one of his chapters today and here is the opening quote:

“Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” Winston Churchill

Churchill had a lot of depression, as did Lincoln- and look what they accomplished by moving forward even when the depression just wants you to move backwards and focus on that was bad in the past.

So, today I’m moving forward and using the tips in my books- Get it Done When You’re Depressed helps the [ Read More ]





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