This blog post was originally sent out as one of my Bipolar Happens newsletters. It’s the first time I’ve used a podcast for one of my newsletters. I enjoy doing them and I may do more in the future. If you aren’t currently a subscriber and you would like to receive my newsletters via email, you can sign up using the form over in the right-hand sidebar. It’s free and I won’t ever share your email with anyone.
Summary: Most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety. It’s probably close to 99%! It’s just part of the illness. Anxiety can be a separate disorder, but most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety that comes with specific mood swings. In other words, people with an anxiety disorder can be anxious while their lives are relatively stable. People with bipolar disorder anxiety are either depressed or manic when they experience the anxiety. The largest form of anxiety comes with dysphoric mania.
Please click the arrow or the title to listen to the podcast. You can also download it to your computer to listen to later. And please comment after you have listened to it. I would love to know what you think, and I know that other listeners like to hear from you as well.
Bipolar Disorder and AnxietyJulie
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This was a great podcast…..thanks a lot….I am one of those who needs anti-anxiety drugs as needed….I have been taking Valium since 1975 when I first started having severe anxiety attacks and since then I only take as needed…but I am not addicted to them and never have been and like you say, some doctors are so afraid to prescribe them….they have saved my life and improved my life so that I can better function. In recent years, I have had to be caregiver and deal with the death of my parents and my spouse and I did not abuse valium during this time, but one a day as needed did help me get through my grief.
I also see the value and being aware of symtoms and triggers when anxiety rises.
Thank you again so much for your blog. Glad that you were having a good day when you did this blog….I wish for you many good days like that one.
Carolyn
Hello Carolyn,
I am glad you enjoyed the blog. It’s good to hear from someone who can safely take anti anxiety meds. Most can. It’s no different than taking any other medication for bipolar- we just have to take them as prescribed- and be completely honest if we think- oh, maybe I will feel a LOT better if I take two or three of these. Then there is a problem!
I want to do more podcasts.
Comments from readers help me know what posts are the most helpful. I often wonder what readers are thinking!
You have been through a lot lately haven’t you. I am glad you are ok. Julie
Hi Julie,
I found your comments on caffeine very interesting — I do suffer from anxiety and take xanax 0.5 mg intermittently to help manage life. Also I take seroquel and find it difficult to deal with the sleepiness and almost foggy feeling I have with this drug — my doctor tells me to drink caffeine and take caffeine pills to counteract the seroquel. She considers herself to be an expert on bipolar.? I’m so confused and tired of feeling this way I’m almost ready to through everything out.
I’m one of the few, I know, but I can’t listen to podcasts on my computer. I’ve been underemployed and then unemployed for most of the last 4 years, and although I want a new computer have not been able to get one up to this point. I enjoy most everything you put in print, though!
Hi Julie
that was a great podcast, I wish I could get my healthcare provider to listen to it, he does not want to give me any anxiety medication, i do have to admit i did have a problem with them five years ago, but i have came so far, i would realy like to have a second chance, as my anxiety is so bad, the pod cast was great, who knows maybe i can get him to listen to it
Great podcast. I appreciated you speaking about anxiety. I deal with it frequently. Sometimes it seems as if once it get started for the day it nothing stops it. I’m on a low dosage of Valium and take extra when the anxiety is too much.
Thanks for all your newsletters and now podcasts. They are helpful to me as I continue to learn more and more about dealing with being bipolar.
OMG Julie, I love being able to hear you and all of your good advice!!!and now you are on facebook life is good!!! I love hearing you speak it was like seeing you in Virginia or hearing you on your radio show. Julie this is a very good thing you are doing(podcast) I too take adivan daily-at bedtime because i know how important sleep is in managing my bipolar. I have been on it a long time but i do not abuse it and it is just part of my bedtime ritual brush teeth turn off computer tv and take meds!!! Can’t wait to see your facebook page I am going there now!!! Bye Julie
Is it going to itunes like the radio show? It is damn convenient. All the best Julie.
Recently I went on holiday in our capital city with my 5 kids and wife. At one stage there was a terrible scene where the family all rounded on me over me correcting a child. There was no violence but it was skewed as if it was my fault. This visit coincided with a visit soon after to my psych in the capital city with the wife. He said I was not acting bi polar. in fact quite the opposite. just being a dad correcting a child in measured good faith but the family remembers the bi polar times and it just brings out their frustration of those times. it is rough because i feel very sorry about it but am doing my best now. anyway they have stuck with me but it sticks with them too.
Thanks for the podcast on anxiety. It was good to hear someone talking about this important topic. I have bipolar I mixed states and severe chronic PTSD. I take a benzodiazepine for my anxiety symptoms. I have taken them for years and have never had a problem with them. Thanks for your continued advocacy.
Hi Julie,
Thank you for your informative and helpful podcast. I enjoyed listening to the information rather than read it. I found it to be more personal. I want to say thank you for sharing your personal stories, as it has helped me to normalize this disorder. I have both Bipolar and Anxiety, I tend to be in a constant state of worry and irritability, the medication I take, at this time, works. It’s been difficult with the side effects, but hearing your stories provides additional information and things to look for with medications. I appreciate the information you discussed related to difficulties with sleep, I struggle with that each day. I have been thinking it was insomnia. I will discuss this further with my therapist.
I look forward to more podcasts like this.
Continue to be well and take care,
Jen
Hi Julie,
It was great to hear your voice. I’m more of an auditory learner so I really enjoyed listening to you. My husband has been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, but I’m the one that reads your newsletter and now listens to your podcasts. He may have an official diagnosis, but everyone I know, diagnosed or not, has their issues. I’m a pretty grounded, hard working, stable person, but Ativan helps to get me through alot of “humps” in life. I take it very infrequently and don’t have any “addiction” issues. So I strongly recommend that people advocate for what works for them. People need to establish a mature, honest and well informed relationship with their doctor in order to address these kinds of issues. If you don’t have that, look elsewhere.
Thank you so much for sharing, keep up the good work and I hope your efforts bring you alot of personal and financial success.
Be Well,
Deb
Yes Julie- I love the podcast- hearing your voice is better than just reading another email.Look forward to your next one- Continue in good health,thanks,Mary
Exelent
It’s wonderful to be able to hear your voice! You’re right–you can communicate a lot of information more quickly this way than through writing. I’ve been reading your newsletters for years and purchased the Health Cards and Bipolar Happens quite some time ago. Your work has really helped me navigate the illness. My diagnosis changed from bipolar II to bipolar I, and things have been rough at times. It’s a blessing to be able to hear (now REALLY hear!) from somebody who knows all about it. Thank you!
Hello Julie, I love the podcast idea.I really enjoyed listening to you talk.Some therapist don’t know how to listen.Anxiety and Bipolar are my life.I do get sick and I do wake up at 3am and don’t go back to sleep.I try to avoid getting into situations that I know are not good for me.That doesn’t always happen.I can’t take anti-anxiety meds.If there is a side effect I usually have it.I take Lamictal and Emsam at this time.They work well for me.I do get my roller coaster ride though.Not fun.Well Thank you for the podcast and please do more.I listen better then reading.Maybe you should sell your podcast.You are a blessing.Keep up the good work.
Hi Julie,thanks for doing the podcast. My son is bipolar, with your health care cards and now podcast this will be a wonderful tool to help bipolar symtoms,meds and general education.
Good information on caffeine. I am a heavy coffee drinker and in 8 years under Dr care with now taking 4 different medications for bipolar and anxiety, no one has ever mentioned the coffee effects on anxiety.
Guess I start decaf right away and see what happens.
Great blog, enjoy it very much.
Hi Fred,
Did you make any changes with the caffeine? I am intererested to know your results. Please keep us posted! Julie
It was wonderful to hear this podcast, never heard the term before, which is a testimony to my limited computer/internet experience. I have so much anxiety, and at night my trouble is falling to sleep. Thanks for the encouragement to ask my doctor for help with this. I felt bad about avoiding my triggers of anxiety, but now I know I do what I need to do, and that makes me feel better. Keep up the good work. 🙂
Hi Julie,
Definitely keep up the podcasts. The personal side of hearing your voice helps so much to bring a sense of calm and encouragement to all of us listening. This can be such a confusing and stressful illness . I am so proud of you for taking all this suffering that you have endured and turned it into such a blessing for SO MANY. God Bless you.
Thank you for this podcast. Somehow I just did not realize that I don’t do many things because of anxiety… or at least, I have much anxiety and had not considered it as preventing me from living a fuller life. Actually it causes me anxiety to think of taking a medication for anxiety, which I guess is an indicator of how much anxiety I experience.
I really enjoyed your latest podcast on bipolar disorder and anxiety. There’s just something about hearing another person’s voice that makes the “conversation” more personal and enjoyable.
In addition, using podcasts will enable you to address more questions and concerns in a shorter amount of time. That’s important for you!
Please continue to use podcasts with us!
Thanks,
Sandra
Julie, I’ve been following you for around 2-3 yrs – your podcast/blog is great! My Mom exhibited Bi-polar disorder for years and I began searching for answers and found your newsletter even before her diagnosis. Your newsletters and downloads have been very helpful in better understanding that it’s an illness and how to inter-act with her in a loving way when things are not good for her instead of getting angry. Before I understood she was ill, my sisters and I were so overwhelmed that we wanted to just check out when she got manic. (It’s crazy having an 82 year old teen on your hands with car keys and credit cards and the manager of her sr. apartment saying – do something!) Mom’s better emotionally now that we’ve been able to get a diagnosis and help stabilizing her meds. Thank you so much for what you do…. you are truly a blessing to so many.
I loved this podcast! It held my interest and captured my attention so much better than the newsletter. It was great to hear your voice. I am a Valium as needed user and my anxiety can only be truly controlled at its peak with it. My Health Cards are fantastic but sometimes anxiety still slips in so hence the need for the Valium. Love to you Julie! Lisa
Hi Julie:
I love your books and getting the newsletter in my inbox. They have been extremely helpful to me and my family. You work helps so many people. I am bipolar with severe depression and your information has been so important to me! As a deaf person I am not able to listen to a podcast so for me it is not an option. I hope you will continue to send the newsletters to our inbox. My thanks for all the great info you provide.
Thanks Julie, the podcast newsletter was really useful. I have a lot of problems with anxiety, which I deal with better since discovering your website & books a few years ago. I use diazepam for panic & have no problems with addiction or tolerance because I take them very sparingly, as you advise.
Thank you for your work – I was able to recover & get my life back on track thanks to you. Hoping that you have many more good days!
Julie,
I want you to know that I think you are one of the most wonderful people there are. My son is bipolar. I bought all of your books for him about two years ago and I have kept up with all of your news letters and publications. They have helped my son immensely in dealing with and managing his disorder. They have also helped me appreciate, understand and comprehend his daily battle. Your podcast was excellent. So nice to hear you talk about the issue rather than simply reading the material. It added more meaning with your personal touch. There are so many more positive things I could write to you about your work and the blessings they have provided me, my son and our family. You are simply marvelous. Let me just say, THANK YOU with sincere appreciation. I hope you continue with your honorable work and that you will be able to live a continued meaningful life. I wish you the very best.
Hello LArry,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have really been struggling mood wise the past few months, so knowing that my work helps others is a true positive in my life. Thank you! Julie
Great post Julie!
Thanks! I have loved all of the comments and will write back to people soon! Hearing from everyone really means a lot. Julie
Great podcast. Useful info and prsented well. You have such a nice voice. I have had anxiety and depression issues most of my life. My current counselor thinks I’m soft bipolar. Whatever! Occasionally I take Xanax and have been doing so for over 30 years with no addiction whatsoever. It’s just chemistry. thank you for your work, Julie. I just bought a copy of Get It Done While You’re Depressed. I haven’t run across anymore books that are more helpful in just dealing with it!
I very much like hearing your voice here. It helps me feel not so alone. Thank You.
Hello Julie,
I found this to be a great way to stay current on your posts. There is always so much to read, that I often put it off. Listening to you speak was very calming and affirmed what I have been trying to learn and accept about myself. Thank you for being open and sharing what you have learned along the way. It is so helpful to me at this juncture.
Best regards, Betty
Hi Julie,
I really liked your podcast and the info you gave on caffeine and anxiety. I like your newsletters, but I hope you continue with the podcads. I liked hearing your voice.
I was wondering..why did it take me 35 years for drs to see I have biploar type 2..I have been on meds for a week and it feels like I am gettinf worse. I am back in a deep depression..don’t want to be around anyone other than my son who is one..I am afraid..what can I do where can I go other than my drs to get help..I am scared n feel lost
Julie,
I am Bipolar 2, ADD and also have terrible anxiety. I have 10 mg. Valium or I can take .5 mg Clonazepam. I still have the anxiety. I try not to take these meds and when I do I still have anxiety. Am I repeating myself. Yes!! Anxiety sucks. Going to Arizona at the end of the month and it’s all I can think about. I wonder if I will just eat up the expense of the ticket and not go. I really do want to push through this and show that I am strong. My therapist says she is going to help me. I see her in two weeks. Wish me luck. I feel for all of you. My anxiety causes my face to sweat. Anyone else experience face sweats? I mean noticable sweat. It makes me stay home and be reclusive a lot of the time.