Newsletter: Debate night tips for staying calm and nice!

The US presidential debates started last Friday night. When all of this fighting between parties, and unfortunately fighting between friends started, I wrote a blog on how important it is to be careful not to let all of this upset you too much.

 This comes from my own experience! Even this morning- after telling myself I wouldn’t get involved, I did. There are a few reasons this is trouble  bipolar wise.

#1. Arguments affect the brain negatively when someone is already in a down swing. I have actually had semi arguments with friends I’ve known for many, many years. We agreed to disagree and the tension eased. Actually, I was the one upset, so I agreed with myself to stop.

#2. Extreme emotion before bed affects sleep which affects bipolar disorder symptoms.

#3. Fear and worry can definitely exacerbate depression.

#4. Mania can absolutely make you do things politically that may affect your future in [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder: True or False

True or false?

 It’s estimated that 4-6 % of the US population has bipolar disorder.

 Hmm.

Hmm.

Hmmm.

 It’s true! Old statistics basically used Bipolar I as a criterion for the 1-2% estimate of people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is now seen as a spectrum all the way from cyclothymia (a mild form of bipolar disorder), to bipolar II (bipolar disorder with hypomania) and finally Bipolar I- with full blown mania.

 I’ve always known that the 1-2% numbers were way too low just from my own experiences. Everywhere I go, someone knows someone with bipolar disorder. 

Now you know why the numbers are so different depending on what you read. I think that the more realistic 4-6 % will be used a lot more in the future.

Julie