Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 102

Reader question- why did it take so long for me to get diagnosed?

Julie, I was wondering..why did it take me 35 years for drs to see I have bipolar type 2..I have been on meds for a week and it feels like I am getting 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. Jennifer

Hi Jennifer. I know how you feel. It took a very long time for me to finally get a bipolar II diagnosis. It's really easy for hypomania to be missed- people with bipolar I have full blown mania- and that is never missed! But for us, it can always be seen as depression only. Especially if you are someone like myself who basically picked up and traveled when I got manic. So no one really saw me manic more than [ Read More ]


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I need help with a book chapter!

My coauthor Dr. John Preston and I are writing a new chapter to be added to our book Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder. It's on the topic of medications as I didn't cover it in depth in the first edition of the book. I spent more time on medications in Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder.

I really could use your help with this new chapter in two ways. I need to hear some medication success stories from partners of people with bipolar.

How do medications help your partner and your relationship?

Then, I need people to finish this sentence:

I'm thankful for my medications because…….

I have plenty of stories in the chapter about the difficulties of taking bipolar illness medications, but I want some positive as well!

I will start….

I am thankful for my Lamictal because it takes the edge off all of my symptoms. It helps with rapid cycling, hypomania and [ Read More ]


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Keep trying to find the right bipolar disorder medication…..

I made a tough decision for the holidays

My nephew David

I made a very, very tough decision a few months ago. As you may  have read, holidays are hard for me. I'm so often depressed (darn it!) that I have to make sure I'm in a calm and supportive place during stressful times. And I find the holidays stressful in my family! (Long story!) So, I made the decision to travel from Portland, Oregon where I live to my dad's house in Michigan.  That decision was a good one- the problem is that I will miss Christmas with my eight year old nephew David. He is the light of my life and has been since the day he was born. And yet, for my own health, I had to make a decision that means I will not see him for his entire school break. During the school year there is not a [ Read More ]


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The Holidays

Guest blogger: Allison Johnson

Ally Johnson wrote the book Waking Up in the Middle of Nowhere about how she and her husband have created a relationship that works around his bipolar disorder. As we all know, it's not easy.  She has a strong spiritual faith, so I asked her for a post that explains how this helps their relationship and especially how it helps her be a partner of someone with the ilness.

Here is her post:

Bipolar and the Holidays

 The holidays are upon us… some of us find ourselves rejoicing right along with the Christmas Carols we hear on the radio, others completely relate to Mr. Scrooge and want to slam our doors and count the days until the season is finished. Because I am married to someone who is bipolar I can relate to the joy and the sadness that the holiday seasons often brings.

 As I reflect on [ Read More ]


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The Holidays

These are those kind of weeks……

ok. I AM a broken record during the holidays. I have good reason as they have been tough for me for a long time. This year I said it would be different, and it is. I am at my dad's in Grasslake, Michigan. Today, I go to New York  for a quick business trip.  Things are changing for me because I am making them change. Yes,  many of us are extremely limited by this illness, but I've found that learning more about my own symptoms and triggers and then working daily to get better has made it more possible to get to the life I want.

In the past week, I've had so many downswings I can't count them. I had one on the plan yesterday and was down a few hours when I got here. Then I said to myself, "Julie!  You want to be here. Get out of it and get going!" And I [ Read More ]


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Thanks for the kind comments!

Why is it hard for people with bi-polar illness to travel?????

Thank heavens the Portland airport is not crowded! And now we have to go through scanners? I am getting there five hours early. haha

 

I was not able to travel much for many years.  Too much stress, worry, anxiety, etc etc.. I guess they are all the same thing!  It's amazing that I can fly more easily now. It really is a big deal for someone with bipolar disorder to fly, especially internationally.  Here are some notes for those who care about someone with bipolar and why flying can be difficult for us- EVEN WHEN WE WANT TO TAKE THE TRIP!  Here are some of the reasons:

1. Change in schedule. We thrive on basic schedules.  Most people with bipolar would much prefer to be more free wheeling, but the truth is that schedules work for us. Traveling has iteneries, but they are in no way [ Read More ]


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BP Magazine Blog is posted!

I write a separate blog for the wonderful BP Magazine. This blog is very personal – this week is no exception!  It's called:  Seeing a fight, going into shock and then getting really sick…

That may peak your interest. I've  had a tough few weeks for sure.

Click here to read the new blog

There are a few of us who blog- I love their posts as it's such an insight into the world of others with bipolar disorder.

BP Magazine is a truly amazing publication. I recommend it for anyone affected by bipolar disorder- which is basically everyone on this  blog!   Here is the link to subscribe: https://www.bphope.com/Subscribe.aspx

Related posts:The BP Magazine Forum is [ Read More ]


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My self perception is not the world's perspective!

Lately, I've had quite a few people tell me how their perceive me. It has been quite eye opening. Here are a few:

Bad Ass, Commanding, Golden, Professional, Self Assured, Intimidating.

Are you kidding me? That can't be how I'm seen because that is certainly NOT how I see myself. I see myself as someone who just has to get out of bed and hope the depression will not dog me all day! I see myself as someone who wants to be great, but often feels it will be impossible due to this illness. As you may know if you read my work- I've stopped feeling sorry for myself regarding bipolar disorder. It's simply my life. All I can do is deal with it.  But it's always there!

But Bad Ass! Really! On my Harley or something! Haha. It's such a dual existence. I often go places and put my head in my journal and write my way though [ Read More ]


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Do you read BP Magazine?

I hope so- it's an amazing and fun resource. Ie. Serious and yet realistic articles from real people affected by the illness. Lots of family and health care professional information as well. The magazine has started a new blog. I am one of the bloggers. I did my first one on Thursday. The site is really beautiful and easy to navigate. I highly recommend a subscription, especially if you have an off or support group related to bi-polar disorder.  The first blog was similar to the blogs and newsletters from BipolarHappens.com.  The future entries will be far more person and about the feelings I experience when I get really sick.  Like this weekend!

I've been a columnist for BP  Magazine for over five years.  I love the magazine.

Here is the link to visit the BP Magazine blog: http://www.bphope.com/bphopeblog/

The BP Magazine Bloggers

Related posts:[ Read More ]


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Lunch with my friend Gayathri

I just had lunch with my friend Gayathri. She is one of the most amazing people I know. She moved here from India in an arranged marriage over 20 years ago and just wrote her story in a new memoir.  She had a lot of depression and anxiety when she was growing up. She moved to America with her new husband and a lot of expectations.  Her descriptions of what it was like to go to a grocery store for the first time are amazing: "I never knew there were so many types of cereal!"

Gayathri and I became friend through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) seven years ago. We have been friends ever since. Isn't it great when you meet someone who understands what it's like to have a mental illness? We have our own language. That is how I feel after I speak to a large crowd and I talk to people afterwards and I get to meet people [ Read More ]


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Set a time to exercise with a friend every week. Rain or shine.