Uncategorized « Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar? Feel Better Now. Here’s How:

1. Nothing is as bad as bipolar tells you.

2. Nothing is as hopeless as bipolar disorder tells you.

3. Nothing is as impossible as bipolar tells you.

When I am in a mood swing that is telling me all of the above- You’re in a hole Julie. You can’t get out, Julie. Nothing is going to work, Julie.

I consider the source.

Bipolar disorder thinking is not a reliable source.

I remind myself:

1. I am going to be fine. I always am. Mood swings are terrible things, but my life is not terrible. It never has been and it never will be. Life is simply life. I do not judge my life by my mood swings. Bipolar is an illness. It is not me.

2. I am a hopeful person when well. [ Read More ]

Bipolar? It is Ok to Quit What is Making You Sick

Bipolar disorder is so easily triggered. It’s a rough illness that way- even the things we look forward to with great happiness can cause us trouble. Over the years I’ve learned there are just some situations, no matter how succesful or fun they are that I can’t handle. A friend of mine with bipolar once took a math class that was very stressful. She got quite sick from the class. When I, and a few others suggested she quit the class, she said, “I’m not a quitter, Julie! I have stopped so many things because of bipolar. I just want to finish something!” I said, “There is a big difference between ‘quitting’ from laziness or lack of attention to the topic- and the quitting that comes from taking care of yourself.” She quit [ Read More ]

The Bipolar Road to ………..

We are on a journey. Some people get a rather straight path. They live their lives and have the worries and struggles of the every day person. Some of us get a treacherous mountain journey. We never think we can climb that far. The path never lets us know what is coming. We struggle. Each time I make it through yet another dangerous mood swing, I am reminded that people with mental health disorders are stronger than most. We are interesting. We look for new ways to stay alive. We try and try and try unlike any people I have ever met. Look at this road. It reaches the destination! Bravo for us! I am sick today and that is ok. It is part of my illness. My focus is impossible and I [ Read More ]

Rock Star Suicides: Let’s Stop Talking About “Demons” and Start Talking About Illness

From the Huffington Post….

My latest article in the Huffington Post talks about Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. Here is the opening:

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As a society, we can recognize the symptoms of artists who are depressed and get them into treatment instead of raising up their tortured art and then wondering why they die.

Rock star suicides are nothing new. I’m reminded of Ian Curtis, Micheal Hutchence, and Curt Cobain. I recently wrote an article about the death of Chris Cornell, and sadly, I now write about the death of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.

Once again, the world has lost a vibrant, young, and seemingly “have it all” kind of man. I want to first share my sadness at the loss of yet another person who simply didn’t need to die, but this time my heart is not breaking. This time I’m getting mad. The frustration [ Read More ]

Bipolar, Cannabis and Psychosis: A Class for Parents and Partners

This dynamic and timely classes teaches: 1.) How THC and CBD can affect bipolar [ Read More ]

Parent Success Stories: Helping a Child with Bipolar Disorder and Schizoaffective

In the past three days, I received four emails and had conversations with multiple clients clients with reported positive updates on the situation they experience with a child who has a mental health disorder like ours. I want to let the parents of the world know that successful treatment for your children is possible. We never know how long it will take. We never know when the child- I am talking adult children here- will accept treatment. But at this time, four of my clients have written and said that they are having ‘normal’ conversations with their child after years of problems due to untreated mental health disorder symptoms. In all four situations, the child had at some point refused contact with the parent and refused treatment. Here is what all four families [ Read More ]