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 ]

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“Bipolar Happens” is a Kindle Best Seller!

Bipolar Happens: 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder is a top ten book on the Kindle!

That’s exciting. I went to the Kindle store to see how Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder were doing on the site.  These books are in the top ten ranking- and then I saw that Bipolar Happens is up there as well. Fantastic!

Bipolar Happens! is an enjoyable book about a serious topic. 

Guess what- it’s only $.99

Yes,  I think this is a great deal and a good way to get helpful information about bipolar disorder at minimum cost.  Bipolar Happens! was my first book. I knew I wanted to talk about how I manage the illness, but I also wanted to tell [ Read More ]





Blog comments … here’s how to find them! (and a lot more news…)

COMMENTS:  Many posts have comments from readers. If you go to the bottom of a post- you will see a small ‘comments’ button. When you click on this, you will see all of the comments and can reply yourself. I know for sure that readers go back and see what others have said about their comments. This is a great way for us to help each other. It helps me a lot as well. I want to answer everything- but as you can imagine, doing it on my own is hard- but doing it with all of your help is easy! To the right, there is a section that says recent comments. This is a good place to start to see what’s happening on the blog. Also, you can post a comment on any blog. You don’t have to be a member of the blog. But being a member has advantages as you will then [ Read More ]





Posted on November 11th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Uncategorized

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 ]





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