When I wake up in the morning I can always tell- immediately- what mood I’m in. I either have a thought or just an overwhelming feeling about what I will face during the day.
When I wake up depressed, I have the thought, “There’s no point to my life.”
When I wake up manic- if I managed to sleep enough at all! I have the thought, “All right! I’m going to get so much done today!”
The depressive thoughts are more like a flood or terrible emotion- they can cloud my day all day if I let them.
The manic thoughts are like a blast of sunlight and I spring out of my bed like an athlete.
I use this time of the day to gauge my mood before I even leave my room. I have to be that self aware. If it’s depression, I say to myself, “Ok Julie. It’s here. Now let’s do something about it. You WILL feel better when you go to bed tonight.”
If it’s mania, I say to myself, “Be careful today Julie. Channel this to working, not to partying.”
Of course, my favorite way to wake up is with no odd thoughts at all. I just get out of bed and get on with my day.
Julie
Hi Julie, I’ve been Reading your Bipolar happens book and I will be working on the healthcards tomorow.
I have just read the part about Partying and drinking and I need some advice.
I’m 26, was diagnosed at 22 and have tried alot of different approaches to treat this horrible illness, none of them have worked so far.
So six months ago I turned a corner and made a comitment to medicate, it has taken the edge off but I was in search of something more.
That’s when I found your website yesterday and brought the books. Having sat reading them today (down loaded) I am in ore of what you have written.
I’ve read alot of stuff in the past four years and spent alot of my own hard earned cash talking to many therapists trying to beat this thing.
I’ve got to say your book made the most sense to me and it’s wonderfull to read about your own bipolar sucess story! good for you! This gives me hope for the future.
Now, to my origional question about partying…as we know, bipolar hypoe mania loves to party! but I love to socialise… i’m trying to get a balance on this one and wondered if you have any advice how to do so.
For the last four years i’ve given up drinking many times- gone tee total for about 6 months and then miss it so much I cave in and am right back there- full blown mania. I’ll spare you the details- sure you get the pictutre having gone through it all yourself.
My question is this… Is it even possible to get a balance- go out and have two or three drinks ( every once in a while, not every weekend) and learn my limits so that I can enjoy socialising without getting ill.
Or, do I just have to accept, no matter how hard that this isn’t possible BECAUSE i HAVE an illness? I’m diagnosed as type 1 but I think I have rapid cycling and to be honest I don’t think I have ever known what it feels like to be well.
Sorry to ask such a long winded question, i’ve been searching for an answer to this but to no avail for years really and you seem to have alot of wisdom with this.
Many thanks,
Alicia Holmes.