Bipolar disorder…the tough days

Oh boy can this illness make a person sick.  That is just a fact. I guess you can change that sentence around-  We all get sick and tired of having this illness. One thing I want to do on this blog is to encourage people to keep going and going even when the days are really tough. One good thing about bipolar disorder is that it’s episodic- that means mood swings end. You can get better. Sometimes it takes way longer than expected- but life can be stable.

I tend to talk a lot about depression as that is what I experience the most- some of my friends talk more about the agitated mania or the psychosis they live with,sometimes for a long stretch of time. Sometimes you can have all three at once- dysphoric mania.

Today is a good day because I can get work done- today is a good day becuase I [ Read More ]





Posted on October 7th,2009 | Tags:, | Category:About Julie

bipolar mood swings and the beauty of a rose

Bipolar is so very weird. When I’m depressed I can look at this rose and see nothing of beauty. I’ve also had experiences where the beauty of something is painful because I feel so left out.

With mania,the rose is too beautiful. I could look into it forever –which is not exactly true as when I’m manic I don’t do anything for very long. My attention would be grabbed by something even more beautiful.

When my ex partner Ivan was really psychotic and in the hospital- I took him a rose- it had a lot of symbolic meaning to him- it was blood red- it caused pain- etc.

Well,it’s pretty obvious that a rose isn’t just a rose is a rose…. ;)

Today I want to just look at the rose for what it is. A beautiful flower.  I live in Portland,Oregon- also known as the [ Read More ]





Bipolar disorder and the economy:A great reader comment

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 ]





bipolar disorder and going to the hospital

Just out of the Hospital?

Here are some tips:

- Try to recreate the hospital environment at home so that you can ease back into life.  Hospitals can be traumatic,but they can also be comforting. There is a routine with set meal times and doctor rounds. Structure helps so much when you get out of the hospital.

- Forget the guilt. Just let it go. I mean this. You went to the hospital because you were sick. If anyone is telling you otherwise,tell them they have to mess with me! People who are seriously physically ill go to the hospital and their loved ones feel relief that the person is safe. A person goes to a psych ward and everyone gets freaky scared! You went to the hospital because you have a physical illness called bipolar disorder and it got a bit too strong for you to take care of it on your [ Read More ]





A Bipolar Disorder and Relationships Secret

A big bipolar disorder treatment secret… .

Surround yourself with people who love and respect you. It’s that simple. I’ve been around people who say they care about me and that they want to be with me- but in reality they didn’t love and respect me. It’s all about them.

I don’t want people like that in my life. I used to know quite a few of them and I have met a few lately- but I’m getting better at seeing them at face value when we meet.

People who don’t love and respect me but still want something from me make me sick. Literally! I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than be with someone who so disrespects me they would continue behavior I have asked them to stop. The only thing I can do in a situation like this is say a strong GOOD BYE!

On the other hand,[ Read More ]





Bipolar ii Disorder and Bipolar I disorder- what is the difference?

What is the difference between Bipolar ii Disorder and Bipolar I Disorder? Do you know the answer? Many don’t though it’s very specific.

Bipolar ii disorder has all of the same symptoms as bipolar I disorder with one MAJOR difference. Bipolar I disorder has full blown mania that often comes with psychosis. Bipolar ii disorder has hypomania that rarely comes with psychosis. My dear friend Sherri has bipolar I disorder. She has to be very careful as her mania is always lurking around and waiting to take over. She takes lithium and zyprexa to keep the mania and psychosis at bay. I have bipolar ii hypomania. Mine is very euphoric though it can be agitated. Mine doesn’t have psychosis- my bipolar psychosis can be around without any other serious mood swings though I am usually depressed.

Bipolar I disorder was the only bipolar disorder recognized for many,many years. Recently,the bipolar ii [ Read More ]





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