Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 103

Bipolar Disorder and Sleep: Mania vs. Insomnia

(This is one of the most popular blog posts from last year so I wanted to share it again. Mania can sneak up on you during the holidays.)
Manic sleeping problems are different from insomnia in many ways- with insomnia you're tired, you want to sleep, you toss and turn, you worry about how tired you will be in the morning, you want medication relief.
With mania! Whew! you want to stay up, you're wide awake and doing something, you have unlimited energy, a racing mind, lots of creative thoughts (whether they are truly creative or not, they feel creative.) You have no desire to get in bed and sleeping feels like a real waste of time. It takes more meds to knock you out and there is a chance you will be even more manic the next day.
Here are some of the things you may think when you're manic at night:
- Sleep is SUCH a waste [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar Disorder and Sleep: Mania vs. Insomnia
What is Mania?
Mania and Sleep Reader Comments

Can Depression Get Better?

I have an interesting story to tell.  Here is a blog from a few months ago.  As you may know, my depression can get pretty darn severe- and I often think it will never end.   I then have a story at the end that is very hopeful.

Will This Depression Ever End and Can Anyone Help Me?

When I'm seriously depressed every single minute feels like I'm living in hell and I am just closer and closer to death.

 I sometimes get so depressed that I can't move my head or have a conversation. I still make myself get out and do things. I cry and I feel I can't go on, but I do. I feel better for having done something. Every minute when I'm well is filled with possibility because I can choose what to feel and what to do. People take this for granted. They take for granted that they can decide not to [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar Depression Cure: The World's Greatest Truck!
Bipolar Depression… once again!
Bipolar Depression vs. Sadness Pt I

I just sent a special offer…

to the newsletter list. So please check your spam, because we know that is where most of the email goes these days!

It's an exciting offer for newsletter subscribers only. If you are not on the newsletter, you can sign up to the right. You can then leave a comment below if you want to receive the special offer.

Today is going to be as best as I can make it- that's my hope for today. Just keep going and keep working and keep being with people. That is my key. What's yours? Julie

PS: this is a holiday special offer!

Related posts:Julie's Books… Special offer for the holidays!
comment on the latest comments….. new stuff going on…
Thanks for the reader comments

What is it like to work with Julie A. Fast???

During the time that I have been working with Julie, Ive seen the challenges faced by someone with Bipolar disorder.  I've witnessed the day when it was difficult for her to sit still and even focus because her thoughts were bouncing everywhere. It was hard for me to know how to help her get refocused. She is teaching me what I can do to help.  I've also been a part of a morning that was a "girl to girl" chat just to clear the thoughts so that a work focus could be resumed and maintained. 

 There is so much that can be learned from working with someone who has bipolar illness.  The discipline of taking care of yourself and planning in detail what you intend to do have been a good addition to my daily routine. There is also a time to be flexible and work back around to the needed focus.  I've also learned to watch my thoughts [ Read More ]


Related posts:Get it Done When You're Depressed # 27
bipolar and work: In the middle of you now where!
Bipolar disorder and work woes!

Allen, a guest blogger, talks about Bi-polar Disorder During the Holidays

I recently asked readers to share their holiday stories and how they are affected by bi-poloar disorder. Here is a guest blog from Allen.

"Thanksgiving 2010, It's 4:15am, I'm laying in bed, my mind racing with so many things.Money, business, missing my family. My personal life a tangled up situation to say the least. It provides a never ending source of angst. But then again, if you're me, what doesn't?

It also provides much pleasure, love, and let's face it, it's the only life I have. Though I live with much regret, my manic side has provided amply for all those around me, and at times being manic is the secret ingredient in my life that has been very helpful. Trying to isolate what is "manic" from enthusiasm, being driven, entrepreneurial, goal oriented and a "never say never" commitment to providing for my family, is next [ Read More ]


Related posts:Julie's Books… Special offer for the holidays!
Having a clear mind is the goal of bipolar disorder treatment
My Brother Talks About My Bipolar Mania

Are You a Mood Disorder Health Care Professional?

 

I often teach continuing education courses for health care professionals who have clients with bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. 

My next live teleseminar is called Help Clients Get Things Done When They are Depressed.  It's taught through PESI: Premier Education Services Inc.

I am really looking forward to this presentation.  Here is the description:

It is challenging to help depressed clients who believe they will always be immobile, unfocused, unable to work, hopeless at relationships and continual failures because they can never get anything done. The reality is that depression creates a mindset and lack of action, but the truth is that clients can often get just as much done when they are depressed as when they are well. They just need you to show them how.  This seminar offers practical advice and strategies you can use to help clients make immediate changes in productivity even when their mood is [ Read More ]


Related posts:Please pass on this blog to your health care professionals!
Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings: Weeks of Depression
Don't Forget Your Health Cards

Newsletter: Holiday Caveat ( I know.. sometimes I don't sound too jolly!)

Welcome to the bipolarhappens.com newlsetter on the holiday rush!

**

Ok. I don't have a TV at home. I do play funny DVDs, especially when the depression is bad. If you have not seen Modern Family- you have not laughed!

Since I don't have a TV at home, I go to my mom's for our favorite shows and for my sports fix. And there is one thing I notice at this holiday time of the year.

If you don't get a CAR or a DIAMOND of some sort for the holidays, you are missing out!

Yes, I am very careful around the holidays concerning my bipolar.  It's the pressure. I can't always have a fun time with my family on the holidays the way I would like.  Certain family members FIGHT.  (Certain family members have bipolar and depression!) And I can't be around that for long. And this has affected me for many years. But I've learned to deal with it [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar Disorder and Holiday Cheer
Thanksgiving: Bipolar Disorder and the…. Holiday Horrors #1
Prevent the Holiday Blues Newsletter

OCD and Bipolar Disorder

This illness is so much more than depression and mania. Most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety – and one of the main types of anxiety is obsessive compulsive disorder.  I have it often and it's awful! It's triggered by so many things- like where I am right now. I love football and watch as many games as possible.  The problem is that there are so many games on at once. The place I go has a lot of people and there are more than five games going at once. Everyone wants to watch their own team, so the bartender Kim has to do a dance every Sunday to try to please everyone.

This environment is one I truly love- but it's also one that makes me ill. Unfair! My symptoms include:
1. Twisting my head all over the place to look at too many games.
2. Checking my phone to see if someone has called.
3. Unable to [ Read More ]


Related posts:OCD and Bipolar Disorder
OCD and Bipolar Disorder

OCD and Bipolar Disorder

This illness is so much more than depression and mania. Most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety – and one of the main types of anxiety is obsessive compulsive disorder.  I have it often and it's awful! It's triggered by so many things- like where I am right now. I love football and watch as many games as possible.  The problem is that there are so many games on at once. The place I go has a lot of people and there are more than five games going at once. Everyone wants to watch their own team, so the bartender Kim has to do a dance every Sunday to try to please everyone.

This environment is one I truly love- but it's also one that makes me ill. Unfair! My symptoms include:
1. Twisting my head all over the place to look at too many games.
2. Checking my phone to see if someone has called.
3. Unable to [ Read More ]


Related posts:OCD and Bipolar Disorder
OCD and Bipolar Disorder

This illness is so much more than depression and mania. M...

This illness is so much more than depression and mania. Most people with bipolar disorder have anxiety – and one of the main types of anxiety is obsessive compulsive disorder. I have it often and it's awful! It's triggered by so many things- like where I am right now. I love football and watch as many games as possible. The problem is that there are so many games on at once. The place I go has a lot of people and there are more than five games going at once. Everyone wants to watch their own team, so the bartender Kim has to do a dance every Sunday to try to please everyone.

This environment is one I truly love- but it's also one that makes me ill. Unfair! My symptoms include:
1. Twisting my head all over the place to look at too many games.
2. Checking my phone to see if someone has [ Read More ]


Related posts:OCD and Bipolar Disorder
OCD and Bipolar Disorder
OCD and Bipolar Disorder