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 ]
I am going to court tomorrow, and I have been a mess, shaky, anxious, and frustrated at everybody around me. I feel like everything someone says is just irritating and worthless to me. I don’t’ want to around anybody, but I know that is not healthy for me. I have been getting worse all week leading up to this stressful situation. I am worried that I am going to have a full blown depression episode. I cannot concentrate and am having trouble sleeping.
Hi Colby,
Isn’t it amazing what stress can do to our bodies and minds… I would be stressed too. It hits us harder- that’s for sure. It’s amazing that you are aware of your anger and frustration- this means you can keep it from ruining relationships and getting you into trouble. I was majorly irritated yesterday and even yelled at a friend- I felt terrible and then realized that is [ Read More ]
Here is a comment from J. on my blog about the economic climate in this country- it’s a good one!
thank u for this. I needed some cheering up. financially we are at out wits’ end. I function only due to my meds. without them i’d be dead now. bipolar is no joke, and having financial problems on top of it…well, it’s hard to stay sane. I CAN choose to enjoy as much of my life THIS MOMENT as I can, no matter what is going on around me. so I try. I fight depression. my meds keep me from mania which is good or we’d be in worse trouble. I thank god I still have left things to be thankful for RIGHT NOW. tomorrow will be dealt with tomorrow. that’s how I cope with money problems I can’t fix. one day at a time. if I live in the present I can cope [ Read More ]
That is only partly a joking question. I know that my mania is just as dangerous as my depression. But why can’t I at least have as much hypomania as depression! If a psych read this they would remind me that what goes up must come down. In fact, I write that in all of my books- but I don’t know one person who doesn’t love euphoric hypomania in the beginning and middle stages. When it hits the third stage it’s awful- as is the bad crash that inevitably follows. But I still wish I could have it more- just without the downside. It’s sort of like being able to live on sweets without ever getting fat!
I manage my hypomania just as diligently as I manage the depression. I know how serious it is- but when I’m depressed as I am today- I wish it would just show up for a few hours so that [ Read More ]
My goal when I’m down is to take action all day long to make things better. It’s hard. Where will I go? What project should I do first? Will anything work out? Why are things so hard? Etc Etc
All good questions. I will go out and organize my day while I sit at a coffee shop. I will then choose a project and do it. Whether I am crying, filled with OCD thoughts or hopeless. None of it is real. Problems are real and they can be tackled and fixed. These thoughts are bipolar disorder and they need to be recognized and then ignored!
I will make a list under this post about what I accomplished today – just to show myself that I can get a lot done when I’m depressed.
Julie
Here is the list:
- Visited with my mom even though it was hard to be with people.
I just read my newsletter- the one under this post. I learned a lot!
Yes, this sounds a bit odd- but it makes sense as the newsletters are a message from the well me to the ill me. They remind me that bipolar disorder is an illness and that no matter what I go though, I can bounce back. In 1999, I had few friends and was truly miserable in that area. Wanting more friends- like the friends I had before I got so ill, was an impetus for creating the Health Cards. This newsletter reminds me of how much work I’ve done to have happy people in my life. I can rely on them when I get sick.
Julie
PS: There is a button on the right under the relationship topic that will take you to all of the blogs on relationships! Also, you can read more about my books by clicking the Julie’s [ Read More ]
The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
