The post below is from many years ago- it’s important to look back and see how far we have come. I was depressed off and on for 30 years. I went through intense, suicidal downswings that could last for months and sometimes years at a time. I never thought I would see the day where bipolar depression didn’t rule my life.
Depression no longer rules my life. I’m rarely depressed and when I am, I have tools to deal with it. It’s still scary and intense and I hate it- just as you probably hate your own depression, but I want to let everyone know that no matter how long a person has been depressed, life can change. I read over the post below and thought to myself- how did I survive this? How did I live with this almost every day and not just give up? The answer is in my books- I created a treatment plan and used it even when I believed it would never work. Then it worked. I want the same for you or a loved one. Let’s make 2016 the most stable year of your life. If you care about someone with bipolar disorder, you can learn to help them find stability. I don’t want us to live like I used to live- here is the post. Isn’t it great that I got better. It means you can get better too. Julie
My post from the past:
I woke up depressed- nothing new unfortunately. I knew it was going to be a tough morning- but it doesn’t have to be a tough day!
My feet felt like they were tied to concrete bricks. It would be so much easier to just stay in bed- or so my mind wanted me to believe. That’s a lie of course- I reminded myself that there is NEVER an occasion where staying in bed while depressed is a good decision. Beds are for sleeping. I said this to myself, “Beds are for sleeping Julie. You don’t stay in bed when you’re depressed.”
Putting on my shoes helped me move forward- making myself get dressed kept me moving out the door.
It’s hard to get going when your first thought in the morning is that there is no purpose to your life. I have to remind myself that I didn’t feel this at all yesterday and that this is depression talking. Now I have to get out and work on my book proposal- see friends and get going! I will not listen to this depression. It’s an illness and it’s not real.
Julie
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I’m so thankful this depression is no longer in my life ever day. I want the same for you.
Hi Julie!
I’d also enjoyed the ceremonies today! This is a day I’ve long awaited with great anticipation!
My mood is threatening to drag me down, even though I am– on some level– deeply happy and very excited about this Presidential event today!
I have been struggling alot lately. I am becoming acquainted with your writing and am grateful you share so much with so many! I am encouraged, despite the recent swing into a paralyzing depression. Having a “comprehensive treatment plan” sounds very encouraging… and “doable.”
I’m ready to commit to whatever it takes!
Thanks so much, Julie, for the insights, advice and encouragement you share! I am sincerely grateful to you. 🙂
I just googled lamictal and came upon our site. I have been in a depressive state of my bi-polar II for quite a while. A couple years. I was just given lamictal, the starter pack, to go along with my seroquel….I pray to get some sort of normalcy in my life again. I am a 49 year-old woman. Two sons, 19 and 21, and a very nice husband. Why do I feel so crapppy? I ran up a lot of credit cards this past year and that adds a lot of anxiety as well. I would love to crawl in a hole and just stay!! Any comments that would help me would be immensly appreciated!!!
Thanks You Julie for your inspiration to get and keep well!!!
I don’t have bipolar, but I do have a severe depression since childhood absue began…35+ years. I’m feeling better after a recurrance recently. I’m finding your recent book helpful. I’m thinking of purchasing the Health Cards but not sure how much they will apply as I don’t have bipolar diorder.
Thanks for your help.
Hello Julie,
I just wanted to say I appreciate how raw and open you are about your mental illness. I am a 20 year old student with bipolar type 2, and after an incredibly rough year, I’ve decided it’s time for me to start finding peace and balance throughout the new year. (If that is possible! Haha!)
Mostly I created this post to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your struggles and thank you for being so strong and honest. It gives me hope, and it inspires me to get in touch with myself in the process of accepting my disorder.
As a new blogger focusing on mental illness, I was wondering if I might be able to interview you about your experiences with the disorder, as well as your experience as one of the best bipolar disorder blogs. It would be a great honor to pick your brain and write about your success. The interview would be featured on my blog as a kick-off post for the blog’s official launch.
Thank you so much for your time,
Andrea F. Compson
Hello Andrea,
It would be an honor to help you with your project. I just sent you an email about how we can set up a time to talk.
I would love to have you as a guest blogger as well! Julie