Julie, can’t my child see he is depressed?

 My coaching clients often ask me this kind of question:

Why can’t the person I care about see that he is depressed?

Why would my daughter stay so unhappy and not do anything about it?

The answer is that depression is tricky.  It’s sneaky. It tells you that what it says is real and it tells you that what you feel when you’re depressed is real. I don’t think that it’s possible for people without depression to understand what it’s like, but I do know that it helps to know that those with depression who can’t see what is going on simply have an illness and this is one of the symptoms.

I’ve spent the past 15 years learning to separate myself from my depression. It has been constant work on my self awareness.  The depression is still here, but not today- though it could be back tonight!  If it were here right now, I [ Read More ]





Posted on February 1st, 2011 | Tags: , , , | Category: Uncategorized

Reader asks if her partner can forgive her..

Dear Julie, I have this huge problem that started about 2 and half years ago. During a mixed episode of rapid cycling I decided and did leave my husband. Over this past 2 and a half years I have been severly depressed. Well in the past two months my new pdoc changed my medication and I am thinking more clearly and having fewer mood swings then ever. The problem is that I want my husband back. Read answer on www.BipolarHappens.com/bhblog [ Read More ]





Reader Story: Bipolar Disorder and Wives, Husbands and Partners

Hi Julie. I just discovered your blog. I have a question; are you married or in a relationship? I am married to someone with bipolar and I have young children. I wake up each and everyday wondering “what will happen today.” I don’t know if I can do it much longer. I guess I’m looking for some sort of hope. Thanks, Marie

Hi Marie,

Here is a short answer. I will answer in more detail in the next newseltter.

1. Most people have trouble when one person has bipolar. Period. I know because I do a lot of coaching with partners. So you are not alone at all- what you experience is common.

2. Many are able to learn skills to help communication when the person is in a mood swing- I call my system the Bipolar Conversation. Remember, when your partner is in a mood swing, you are talking to the [ Read More ]





Teenagers and Bipolar Disorder: Reader Comment

Wow, I am getting so many comments regarding teenagers and bipolar disorder. It’s a topic that is NEVER talked about- maybe that is because it’s so complicated. If you have not read my blog entries on the topic, you can go to the right and click on the teenager category to read them. I am following up with the topic through a reader question- here is a good one that captures the fear and confusion so many of us feel when someone we love has bipolar disorder that isn’t being treated effectively.

This reader comment is from ‘Mom from a 19 year old with bipolar disorder.’

Julie,

I have two bipolar daughters and a bipolar ex-husband. My heart is hurting now for my teenage daughter. She’s not well right now and she seems only to become involved in destructive relationships with guys who have criminal records, drug issues, no job etc. How can I help [ Read More ]