News: I just taught a Seasonal Affective Class here in Portland, Oregon. Well, we sure need to know about SAD! Do you have mood changes when the weather changes? I do.
I gave a presentation to the Pacific University Pharmacy Class on the topic of bipolar disorder, my story and the medications used to treat the illness. Wow. They have to learn so much. I know that I’ve had to call pharmacists when a medicine is giving me trouble. Especially late at night. It’s essential that pharmacy schools spend a lot of time on psychiatric drugs- and I can tell that Pacific University has really made a commitment to helped their students understand what those of us with bipolar go through with all of these meds!
The blog post- Are you manic Julie! Are you Manic! Received a lot of comments, so make sure you look at the bottom of the post and click on the tiny comments tab to read them. Interesting.
Newsletters: I wrote earlier that the weight management newsletter would be out this week… well! That didn’t happen. Work was tough this week. Plenty to do- without the clear and focused mind to do it all. (Sound familiar!) Thus, I have decided to do the holiday newsletter next and then will send out the weight management series. It will happen!
The DUMB holiday ads have already started. Don’t forget that you don’ t have to do anything you think will make you sick- you don’t have to buy presents if you don’t want to and you can plan now for where you will be on the big days that can be so tough if you’re alone. (Or if you’re with family you aren’t too fond of!)
The blog is here to help people tell their stories. Please post comments on what you are going through – people love to read about YOU. Julie
I could really use some input… As i have apparently played the classic “denial” of the need for ongoing meds, I “thought” I had the best non medicated summer, only to find myself slammed to the ground for the last few weeks the *instant* the sun went away. Ready to plead my heart away for my once denounced meds (Lamictal).
Is it possible that I was actually manic for the entire summer? and that oblivious to it? It’s as if I cannot tell the difference between “happy” and manic?
I guess I’m also asking if perhaps I was on a prolonged high, and that is why I’m being punished like this.
I had no outrageous experiences, but I’m starting to get the sense that my perception of being happy is in an unrealistic place, like I need that adrenalized buzz, I call it happy when it is actually elevated beyond “normal”
Sound familiar to anyone? Thanks…
Hi Julie,
Since you mentioned holiday ads, I thought I’d share the story of what I’ve been up to lately. Last Christmas I saw a story about some people who made a lot of money selling used holiday sweaters on the net. People wear them to ugly Christmas sweater parties, which I had not previously heard of. Well, since I’m such a great thrift store shopper, I knew this was something I could get in on.
All year I’ve been accumulating sweaters of varying qualities of ugliness, and have finally acquired over 150 of them. What I didn’t do was wash the %#!@ things as I bought them. After weeks of procrastination and finally getting my medications back on track, I had the motivation to do it this weekend. After loading, driving to the laundromat,unloading, washing 6 loads in the extra-large washers, drying, loading, driving home and unloading 150 sweaters I’m feeling extremely proud of myself! (The sweaters completely filled the back of my Subaru wagon).
Now I have left the “simple” task of learning how to set up my website and get my business actually running. This, of course, is NOT simple and it’s why I have had to dramatically change the expectations of what I can do and how successful this business will be. The fact that I’ve been able to scale back and accept that I couldn’t get everything done earlier has been difficult but very important for me. I really expected myself to put everything together much faster than I have been able to do, but I’ve been able to feel o.k. about it. Back in the summer I had hopes of earning a couple of thousand dollars. Now I’ll be glad if I just sell one or two sweaters, and I’m o.k. with that. There’s always next year. (And, those sweaters aren’t going to get any less ugly while I store them over the summer, HaHa!)
I think I’m dealing with this situation so much better than I would have done if I had not found your books and blog, and done a lot of other research on bipolar. I can’t tell you how comforting it has been to see some of my most maddening behaviors identified as common symptoms experienced by other “bipolarites”. Being able to say “this is Bipolar, not me” is incredibly freeing. Easing up on myself and letting my creativity flow are the most important things I can ever do for myself, and I hope that the big challenge this project has been for me will help me continue the process. I’m not sure I trust myself to have reasonable expectations for myself yet, but I’m getting there.
Sorry for the long message!
Cheers,
Susan
Hi Susan,
I love your creativity and fortitude! I have an idea. What about getting a holiday booth somewhere and advertising that you have the world’s greatest collection of ugly holiday sweaters? They would be great for gifts and holiday parties. You can start now- there are plenty of events- also, you can send an email out to friends that you have the sweathers and they make great gifts. Maybe someone on the blog has ideas. But don’t give up- you have all of those great sweaters and a great idea- I know you can make something happen. Even if you feel down about it- always remember, you can work when you’re down and still do a great job!
Thanks for your kind comments about my work. I’m so glad they help! julie