Monitor Your Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings

I’ve kept a chart of my mood swings for the past year. It’s amazing to see what triggers most of my downswings. Without question, it’s difficult relationships. I knew that this was a problem, but seeing the reality on a piece of paper forced me to make some serious behavioral changes. I have to limit contact with certain people, no matter how much I care for them. I wish I were the type who could have exciting, but difficult people in my life, but as my chart clearly pointed out. I can’t.

There is a mood swing chart and an example of one of my charts at the back of my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder. The Health Cards can provide you a lot of information as well. I faithfully chart my mood every night. It’s depressing to see how this illness controls my life, but I at least know I am doing [ Read More ]

Comments are closed



Quick Symptom Definitions: Mania, OCD, Depression

Mania only exists in bipolar disorder. It’s a chemically elevated mood that can be euphoric (happy, creative and sometimes delusional!) or dysphoric /mixed (agitated, depressed and uncomfortable.) Mania is often more difficult to treat than depression.

OCD: A form of anxiety characterized by obsessive thoughts that are seemingly calmed by compulsive behavior- only to show up again! OCD can be treated with antidepressants, but behavioral therapy has the most success.

Bipolar Depression: The downswing of bipolar disorder that is almost always complicated by the presence of other symptoms such as anxiety. It can be present with mania in a dysphoric/mixed episode. It’s not advisable to use antidepressants for bipolar depression as they can cause mania. Bipolar depression is much more difficult to treat than unipolar depression.

Bipolar disorder is complicated.  It’s important to know all of its symptoms.

Julie

[ Read More ]





Posted on January 13th, 2012 | Tags: , , , | Category: Bipolar Symptoms

Julie’s Message: Plan Ahead for New Year’s Eve!

Hello Everyone,

This is Sheri Joi,  host for  ’Your Best Holidays Ever’ coaching call.  It was a great success.  I learn from Julie every time we have a call. I could tell she was surprised to hear that I have also struggled with depression and loneliness on the holidays-  even though I have a large, happy family. It’s all relative. I’m using her tips this year and have planned for all of the days that are special for me.

Here is one of Julie’s main points:  How to deal with loneliness during New Years Eve!

Julie: One of the main problems we face is loneliness during specific days such as New Years Eve. I’m a big believer in planning ahead in order to prevent depression. If you don’t have plans for a day that’s important to you,  there is still plenty of time! Is [ Read More ]





Bipolar Depression- Hello darkness my old friend….

I was very depressed a few days ago and the only way I can decribe it is Debilitating Depression

I would certainly never call darkness a friend, but the Simon and Garfunkel song gets the mood right.

The depression was so bad I could hardly hold my head up.  When I get depressed like this, I sit in a chair and put my head in my hands. A cacophony of terrible thoughts, sounds (often songs) and an unbelievable feeling of DOOM crawl in to every cell in my body.

This is the kind of depression that keeps people in bed for months.

But… I knew what it was and started to fight and fight and fight and told myself- you will get out of this Julie. You will start now.

Here is what I did:

1.  Forced the real me to talk to the depressed me. 

Julie. Get up. This is bipolar.  Don’t forget that. [ Read More ]





Pt 2..Help for Bipolar Depression: Getting Out of Bed in the Morning

Thanks for all of the great comments on the post below. It’s obvious that getting out of bed (and not getting on the couch) is 100% essential for people with depression. We just can’t lie there.  We just can’t. Or the day will get away from us.  I have a motto.

Beds are for sleeping.

And I stick to it.

Here is a great comment from Rebecca:

” I have learned that the best thing I can do for myself is to get up immediately out of bed, the minute my eyes open…if I stay in bed one more second I become depressed.  This may sound so simple, but it works for me…I get up and make myself a good cup of coffee and then begin my day…I’m on disability, so I have to create my days.  I try to make each day productive in some way…just going to the store is a major event [ Read More ]





Posted on April 30th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Depression

Help for Bipolar Depression: Getting out of Bed in the Morning

Here is a comment I just received from a blog reader.

Hi Julie,

Thanks for all that you do. I have to be honest- I’m not like you. I read what you write and see what you do and know it’s not possible for me. I do spend hours in bed and sometimes on the couch. I watch dumb TV and don’t make good food for myself. I’ve read Get it Done and I love it- but on some days I can’t do it. I woke up down this morning and see no point in even trying to make today different. I got on the blog and at least know that there are readers like Sandra who keep going even when things get tough. But I don’t feel I will ever be that way.

Manuel

Hi Manuel,

People often tell me that they aren’t like me. I hear it a lot. My first reaction is [ Read More ]





Posted on April 29th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Depression
Page 1 of 3112345678910...Last »