Whenever I’m having a tough time and it feels like I can’t get things done- I always say, “Buck up Julie!” I just had the thought that I’m not sure if I’m using the term correctly! So I looked it up:
BUCK UP: to make or become more cheerful, vigorous, etc.:
Yes, that is correct! In my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed I say you can Think Like and Athlete and Be Your Own Drill Sergeant. It’s the same thing. We usually have to be the ones to get ourselves out of mild to moderate depression. I believe we can access a part of our brain that isn’t sick and stand up straighter and just get on with our work.
Depression never wants a person to do anything- but I believe that we can buck up in certain lower depression situations and take back our minds. When you open Get it Done, the table of contents reads like a mini boot camp for depression. It helps to read them out loud!
Julie
Hi Julie, I agree with you that we can buck up in certain lower depression situations and take back our minds. I often experience mild depression and keep reminding myself and my mind to snap out of it. I think about all the good things I’ve done (for myself and others) and just do something productive. I’m going to look for your book and read it.
I have a very close friend who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I’m doing lots of reading to understand his condition. That’s how I stumbled upon your blog and I’m glad I did. Thanks!
I read something yesterday which will become my mantra:
“Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up”
LOVE IT!!! Julie
Hi Julie, just thought I’d let you know that I’ve already placed an order for all the 3 books by you. I’m looking forward to reading them!
This might help you to “buck up.” I have bipolar and recently wrote the following article: Break Your Bipolar Pattern http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Bipolar-Pattern&id=3344809
That’s great! I use the ideas in my books every day. When bipolar makes you feel like a different person, it’s good to have a guide on what to do to get better! I hope you enjoy the books. Julie
I am so fortunate to have read ‘Get it Done When You Are Depressed’ at this point in my life. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 1 for the past 3 years and treatments (medical, psychological and you name it) have been unsuccessful to date. I struggle on. I have a husband, 2 young children & a string of stressors too numerous to list. The biggest one right now is being the primary support person for my dear friend whose husband is dying of cancer (this is the third time in the past 4 years I have fulfilled this role for someone whose husband died – for my sister and mum). Supporting my sister and mum were some of the triggers for my bipolar starting and I was terrified at the prospect of supporting someone through grief again for fear of what it would cost me in terms of my already fragile health. But I couldn’t give up on my friend. And then your book arrived.
I truly don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t read that extraordinary book just now. I would read several chapters on my balcony in the early morning as i threw mince to the wild magpies carolling for food in my front yard. Then, I’d think them through and try them out throughout the day. Your strategies work like nothing else. And ‘bucked up’and able to cope I certainly am.
So thank you, Julie A. Fast for a gift sent to the other side of the world, in just the nick of time, to a person you never knew. I’m so glad you went to the library 4 hours a day to ‘get it done’. Sincerely, Colette, Western Australia.
Dear Julie,
I just came across a new book , to be published in April 2010 called Anatomy of an Epidemic.
On the authors web page he suggests some evidence that the epidemic of Mood disorders is being fueled by the use of SSRI’s in teenagers. Please could you comment on this? The authors name is Whitaker.
is it possible that I have CAUSED my daughter to be bi-polar by putting her on SSRI when she was a teen? OMG.
Guilt ridden bi polar MOM
http://www.madinamerica.com/madinamerica.com/Anatomy%20of%20an%20Epidemic.html
Hello,
This is a very important question- there is not enough information out there on the role of antidepressants and bipolar. I will answer your question in more detail in a future post. A quick answer is that anti depressants can’t cause bipolar disorder- instead, they bring out latent bipolar disorder. A person can go their entire life with a genetic predisposition to mania and never have it unless they take an SSRI. julie