Bipolar Social Anxiety and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!

I once watched a reality show on becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader when I was at the gym. I had a political interview show on my IPOD,but this was far more intriguing ! First of all,it was a pretty weak premise for a show –as watching cheerleader tryouts probably brings back a lot of bad memories for those of us who were not fond of high school! But there was something very interesting on the show.

The women had to climb up a really high pole and jump off onto a trapeze bar. Yes,that was one of the tasks.  There was one candidate who was very scared of heights. She cried the whole way up the pole. But I had to admire her. She got up there,stood up and jumped off. It was pretty safe as she [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety

Writing through anxietyAnxiety comes in many forms- but there is one thing they all have in common. Physical symptoms.  These symptoms include breathing problems,uncomfortable waves of fear,restlessness and in some,paralysis! Anxiety is complicated because it can be seen as a person’s inability to deal with life- when in reality it’s a well documented and treatable illness. I’ve often sat down to write a book and felt such waves of anxiety I felt there was no way I could go on. I can usually write through them- on really tough days I walk around. Then there really are some days where I just give up and write more later. When I had my own radio show- I loved being live,but the anxiety was so bad a few days before the show I felt like I was going crazy. I’ve never experienced anything like it. When you listen to the shows,I bet [ Read More ]

FDA Approved Bipolar Disorder Drugs

Here is an interesting list- the FDA (federal drug administration) has to ok a drug for use with bipolar disorder before a drug company can advertise that the drug can be used for bipolar disorder. Here is a list of the approved drugs with their initiation dates. I will write more on this topic in the next few days:

FDA:Acute Mania        *   1970:  Lithium       *   1973:  Thorazine        *   1995:  Depakote       *   2000:  Zyprexa           *   2003:  Risperdal         *   2004:  Seroquel       *   2004:  Abilify       *   2005:  Geodon       *   2005:  Equetro (Tegretol)     FDA:Acute Bipolar Depression             *  2004:Symbyax                  (Prozac-Zyprexa combo)          *  2007:Seroquel

FDA:Maintenance (for use in managing bipolar disorder in general)                *  1974:  Lithium:both          *  2003:  Lamictal:                         depression          *  2004:  Zyprexa:both          *  2005:  Abilify:both

This list can be a bit confusing- especially [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and Internet OCD! Facebook

I believe that I have to practice what I teach.

Every once in a while,I will try something new and think- oh,that’s such a great idea! It will be fun and will help my business. So,I started a FACEBOOK account. Well,if you read this blog a lot,I am sure you know where this is going. Fun for others can turn into a bit of an obsession for me. It’s not that I was obsessed with Facebook- it’s that my brain found it stressful. I am sure you know what I mean.  It was an experiment that I am glad I tried.  It IS good for business to get myself out there so that I can connect with readers. and it IS a good idea to keep up to date with my writing friends and their projects.

In theory.

 I want to stay well- especially when it comes to internet use.  [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder and a Rental Car

Here is a long blog… it was a long day!

I lost an entire day today. That has not happened in a while. I’ve been traveling to see friends and for the most part,I’ve had a wonderful time.  I was able to work with my friend Lorraine as we are both writers. When Lorraine went back to her regular job,my concentration and ability to work plummeted. I’m used to this. Yesterday,I made myself work using my normal techniques and ideas. I made sure I told Lorraine the projects I was going to get done so that I could show them to her when she got back. It’s a technique that works. When I know I have to show my work to someone,I can focus more.

Then today… I am in Florida,so I wanted to go to the beach. The plan was to drive there,walk on the beach and write [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder Medications:What is Zyprexa? (Olanzapine)

 Zyprexa,also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.

It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person,but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.

Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)

I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill.  It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many,the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and [ Read More ]

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