Bipolar anxiety is really common when you’re depressed- and a large part of dysphoric mania where depression and mania are combined.
But there is also just plain old anxiety that visits on its own. I call this free form anxiety as it just sort of floats around and comes in and out in waves. When this happens,as it is today- I have to remind myself that….
You can work through anxiety. Your body will still function and work can still get done. It’s just not comfortable. After over two weeks of solid mood swings,I’m feeling better,but the anxiety is floating around! I’m working on an article on psychosis. I love this topic and am excited to get it done- so I have to work through this anxiety that wants me to stop. It makes my body feel so tense and uncomfortable !
I made a promise to myself a long time ago- [ Read More ]
I’ve had WAY to many mood swings in the last six weeks- i counted 23 on my daily mood swing chart. That’s too many. I’m examining what is going on in my life so that I can really stay focused on my bipolar disorder treatment plan. But it’s hard. Writing a blog seems like too much of an effort! But I know it’s not. It’s a lot more effort to not do something. I had a choice when I walked into my house- to worry about being to sick to look at my email and do a blog- or to do it and save the hours of worry I would have that I’m not working enough. Speaking of working,I haven’t been able to work very consistently for the past six weeks- but I keep going. It’s better than not working at all!
I feel better when I get things done. I’m off to [ Read More ]
Here is a reader question from Michelle. She asks important questions. How DO we get through the days,weeks,months and years when we have focus problems because of bipolar disorder!
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Hi Julie
Can you please tell me how you are consistently productive and living with bipolar disorder? I too,am a writer,and I start projects,but can’t finish them. I have boundless energy for awhile,then I crash. I can’t commit to making long term projects with people because I can’t depend on myself that I can follow through. Where do you get your energy? How do you manage on a daily basis? I wake up each day not knowing how I am going to feel. I have to live day by day,and it sucks. Any positive feedback and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Michelle,
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your question- to be honest,I go through everything you describe above- [ Read More ]
I hope that all of you have a subscription to the excellent magazine BP Magazine:Hope and Harmony for People with Bipolar Disorder as it’s a truly amazing resource- it really does make you feel better to read each issue! I have had a column in the magazine for four years. I write on a variety of topics. My last topic was on work. You can read the whole article under my posting at the top of the page. It’s a great article for all of us who struggle to reconcile our work desires with our actual abilities. Ok,let’s be real- what I just wrote is an euphemism for the reality many of us face- we want to reach a work (or school) goal and bipolar disorder gets in our way and we then have to rethink,regroup and try something that may be quite different from what we want for ourselves. Bla.
My ability to work without struggling all day is very,very random. I wish there were more of a pattern as it would be easier to get things done with ease! I actually worked for five hours yesterday and I feel like I can do the same today. There is a big reason for this- I finally got an office that feels comfortable. It took seven years to find the right place. I always knew that I could better deal with the restless ADD/Depression if I could just find the right place to work. I tried coffee shops,the library,individual cubes in a rental space and even my own section of an artist’s collective. And nothing ever worked very well. This new space just feels right.
I am lucky- it only took seven years! ha ha. It’s so important that we all have a place to go and people to see throughout the day- [ Read More ]
I like to talk with people who have achieved excellence in the sporting world. Their dedication and perseverance are similar to what it takes to manage bipolar disorder successfully.
Here is a great quote:
You can neither win or lose if you don’t get into the game.
How true. I often get scared and stressed when I approach a new book deal. There is always the chance of a no- but there is always the chance of a yes- so I stay in the game. I always get sick bipolar wise when I write books with strict deadlines- I often feel I can’t go on. But I do and I’m glad I stick it out. When I do interviews for my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed,the interviewers inevitably ask me about my Think Like an Athlete tip. Athletes keep going no matter what- and we can too. If [ Read More ]
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