Julie Fast Video: Feeling intimidated by your bipolar disorder doctor?

I recently did a series of interviews for a large mental health website called healthyplace.com. Here is one of the first videos I recorded. I’d like to set this up a bit before you watch it. I went through a terrible experience in 1994 when my partner Ivan got very sick and was in the hospital for three months in a manic/psychotic episode. I was scared, overwhelmed and very confused about what was going on. I never met his doctor when he was in the hospital! The nurses were wonderful, but no one actually explained the illness or why he was so sick. I literally had to do everything on my own. Things have changed a lot of course! I wrote books on this experience myself- so the information is more out there now. The video below is a response to the question of what we can do to work successfully without health care professionals [ Read More ]





A thank you from Julie

I got very, very sick today. I would say the depression was a 9 out of 10. Hospital style depression. It’s now 9PM and I have it down to a 4. I worked hard for that 4! I did a lot today to take care of myself and will write more about that later.

Before I go to sleep and sleep off the rest of this terrible mood swing- I want to say thank you for the amazing comments of support I get from all of you. You know how it is when you get really sick- you just get so worn out. I cried off and on all day and I’m now physically tired….. bla! My mom and friends helped a lot- I am glad I was able to get on with my day as best I could. The odd thing is that there was no obvious trigger. It was what my coauthor [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Relationship Confidence

I’m amazed at how my lack of confidence in myself often gets in the way of new relationships.    If you don’t believe you’re good enough for someone, you will do everything possible to make sure you don’t get rejected by doing the following:

1. Never contacting the person even when they show signs of wanting to meet with you.

2. Stay with someone who is not right for you simply because it’s comfortable and the person won’t reject you.

3. Never ask a person to join you in a business deal because you are sure they would say no anyway!

Yes, the list is endless and I have to admit I have done a few of the above myself. I’m working on it. I have an exceptional business coach. She introduced me to one of her clients because she thought we would hit it off. I had lunch with her client and it was [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Romantic…. Love… ah….

Romantic Loneliness

I am listening to a beautiful song by John Legend as I write this. I also just read an email from a great guy who talked about going to bed alone again. I believe that all of us long for love!

I know that I do. When a person gets depressed and doesn’t have the love of a partner, it can be tough- that is for sure!

I made a decision to be celibate for 2008. I did it. I am doing it again in 2009. This is an odd decision for an extreme extrovert who loves being with people- especially men! But it’s a decision I had to make. I’ve been in relationships for all of my adult life. A few years ago after some really poor relationship choices- many born of naiveté – I just wanted a break. If you read my work regularly, you know that I am [ Read More ]





Very Good Job! Good for You Julie!

Before I created the program I use to stay stable- I used to be terrifically hard on myself. I don’t think I praised myself for years- except when I was manic of course and then the praise was a bit grandiose. ;)

I now praise myself each time I accomplish something. Always. It’s automatic now- even when I’m depressed. When I finish something, I have the thought- Good for you Julie!

Do you do this? It took me a while to master the technique, but I’m glad I did. It’s a lot better than what my mind used to say. 

Julie