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 ]

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 ]

Manic Grandiosity

When my partner Ivan got really sick in 1994, he told me he believed he was a genius. This upset him a lot because there was a part of him who knew this was an odd thing to feel, but the other part believed it. When he got so ill he could no longer have a coherent conversation, he definitely thought he knew more than most people.

Grandiosity is characterize by a person truly, truly believing that they are better than everyone and they make sure people know it! I remember being manic once and looking in the mirror and thinking- I am more beautiful than every person I know! That is manic grandiosity at its best! Manic grandiosity is very different from narcissism. The grandiosity that comes with mania is episodic- in other words it is ONLY there during a bipolar disorder mood swing. Narcissism is [ Read More ]

Bipolar Disorder Euphoric Mania

Bipolar Euphoric  Mania Symptoms

An extreme desire for

- sex with no thoughts of the consequences

- spending with no thought of the cost

- travel – no matter who you leave behind

- creative projects where you stay up all night with an ‘amazing idea!’

- quick results-  the manic person finds ‘slow’ people very annoying

- talking with strangers

People with bi-polar euphoric mania also experience:

- less need for sleep with no tiredness the next day

- excessive ideas that just feel so wonderful they have to tell everyone about them!

- an general sense of well being that is hard to describe unless you have experienced it!

- inability to let others talk

Have you ever had bipolar euphoric mania?  I have! Julie

[ Read More ]

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