More news from the DBSA conference

Mania from the DBSA conference!  (DBSA stands for the Depression, Bipolar Support Association- the conference was this weekend in Virginia)

I just received the following comment from Denise, a DBSA participant.

I too was at the conference, and found your workshop on Relationships to be an excellent workshop.

Don’t know about others who have BiPolar Disorder who were at the conference, but by the end, I was beginning to feel the mania coming on. Too much auditory stimulation I suppose. As I write this, I am waiting on my dr to return my call, as I also started getting visual ‘distortions’ toward the end of the conference.

Julie, it was a pleasure to meet you at the conference.

** Oh, yes. I experienced the same thing. I often feel there should be a class on how to stay stable when you go to a conference on bipolar disorder! My worries are more that I will [ Read More ]





WEB MD article on childhood onset bipolar disorder pt two

Here is the continuation of the excellent WebMD article on childhood onset bipolar disorder. …

Definition of Childhood Bipolar Disorder Controversial

What, exactly, is childhood bipolar disorder? It’s controversial. Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression because it is characterized by bouts of depression and bouts of mania.

Mania in adults is characterized by euphoria, grandiosity, irritability, racing thoughts, and frenetic activity. While some experts argue that childhood mania must also exhibit signs of euphoria and grandiose behavior, others say irritability may be the only sign.

“In children, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are very different from the symptoms in adults,” Julio Licinio, MD, chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University of Miami, tells WebMD.

In January 2007, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) set out a “practice parameter” acknowledging the controversy. The AACAP’s expert panel noted that for both children and adults, doctors are much more often diagnosing [ Read More ]





DBSA.. Julie Fast Podcast interview: Families and Bipolar Disorder

I’m speaking at the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance in September, 2008. I really look forward to it.

My presentation is on Families and Mood Disorders. The three hour program is filled with personal stories and tips on managing the illness as a team.

I recently did a DBSA podcast interview on the topic.  Don’t worry! The podcast isn’t three hours. ;)

I think you will enjoy it!

Please click on this link for the podcast:

Julie Fast DBSA Interview: Families and Bipolar Disorder

Depending on your computer system, you can either listen directly from this blog, or you may have to download the podcast to your computer. This is a MP3 file that’s easy to download and then play. You can then put the file on your IPOD.

Let me know what you think!

Julie