Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 106

A medications and weight gain newsletter is coming soon!

My counter once looked like this! Just kidding.

Yes, after a brief hiatus the newsletter will be out soon. This is a great one: a four part series on bipolar disorder medications and weight gain. What a topic. I know it has been a serious worry of mine since I started medications in 1995.

The newsletter series explains the ins and outs of the weight gain, tells lots of stories and offers ideas on how to stay on bipolar meds and maintain a healthy body. I also cover the topic of metabolic syndrome. It is for those with the illness as well as family members, partners, friends and health care professionals.

Let's work together on this. It's a serious issue in so many ways. We need a plan that covers all areas of bipolar disorder management- and an essential part of the plan is finding medications [ Read More ]


Related posts:Reader Question: The Bipolar Antipsychotic and Weight Gain Dilemma
Bipolar Disorder and Weight Gain: Reader Story
Bipolar Weight Gain

My Mother is Getting Minor Surgery…..

My mom is my number one champion in all that I do. She is getting a 'minor' surgery today. I once heard that there is no such thing as minor surgery if someone has a knife anywhere near you!

I am here at the hospital working until I will take her home. This is great in one way- I always do better when I have to stay somewhere and can't roam around because of feeling uncomfortable and all ADHD.

In other ways, it scares me. Do you have bipolar? Have you thought of the people in your life whom you love and what would happen if they were suddenly gone? I think of this all of the time. I am not concerned about my mother today, it really is routine. But I think of how it will be if she dies. Yes, I am honest about it and use the real words and think about it [ Read More ]


Related posts:My Mother and Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder and Children: A Mother's letter
Reader Comment: Mother of daughter with bipolar disorder

Bipolar Disorder and Sexual Behavior that you don't want to happen!

I recently wrote a post on how mania makes you hyper sexual. It's normal- and it's awful as it can lead to some really big mistakes: pregnancy, affairs, STD's. Oh yes, many of us have gone through it all.  Here is a comment from Palmer and my reply:

Hi Julie,

Huh. I used to have some of this behavior around men and sex, but I thought it was just youthful promiscuity and indiscretion. I hadn't associated it with having bipolar disorder II, probably because I had only been diagnosed with depression at that point. This prompts a re-evaluation

Hi Palmer,

Sexual inhibition is 100% a part of all manias. It can be so hard to recognize as it is so impulsive and feels right in the moment. Many huge sexual mistakes are made when a person is manic. That is why knowing the signs that you're getting hyper sexual is essential. For me, it's wanting to drink, thinking [ Read More ]


Related posts:Well, I'm manic part 2
bipolar disorder mania: more signs!
Spring = Mania

Waking up Irritated

Irritation is a common symptom of bipolar disorder. It's a dangerous symptom because people do not like to be around someone who is irritated. It's hard to notice the mood swing as irritation can be a normal part of life- unlike depression and mania. Here are some basic signs of irritation:
- People are in your way and you want to push them out of the way.
- Stupid things make you mad. You can't laugh at them or brush them off- you want to DO something about them and complain to someone about them.
- Road rage becomes obvious.
- You have no patience for what seems like inconsequential babble from others.
- You would feel better if you could kick something.

If you have any of these signs, it's essential to recognize them and see them for what they are: symptoms of bipolar disorder. You can't act on them. You will lose friends, jobs and possibly your [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar disorder and aggressive irritation…
Testy, snappy people – and bipolar disorder
Complain O' Meter

Newsletter: EMpower (True Hope) Supplements for Bipolar Disorder

I recently received a common from Alex about the over the counter mental health supplement 'EMpower' from the manufacturer True Hope.  He wrote in response to my blog post on the potential dangers of EMpower and other such natural supplements. I have replied below.

Hi Julie,

My father killed himself when I was only two years old, after only a few weeks of manic behavior (his condition went undiagnosed at the time). Twenty years later, my sister was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder after a few months of insane and dangerous behavior. She spent two days in a mental institution before being released. She slept about four hours every two days, and would swing from extremely hyper to drowsy/lethargic in a matter of minutes. My family and I spent two weeks keeping her on round-the-clock suicide watch. During this period, we kept her on the proper loading dose of EMPower (which I think was something like 24 pills a [ Read More ]


Related posts:True Hope EMpowerplus Supplements
My mom is a bipolar treatment genius… newsletter
Reader Question: Bipolar Disorder and Natural Treatments

It's Definitely Better to Know than to Constantly Wonder What is Wrong…

so true… from age 19-31 years old I wondered what was wrong with me. Why was I so depressed and then things were wild? Why did it take me eight years to finish college? Why did I lose friends and get on planes to China without a plan in place? It was so good to know it was bipolar. It has been difficult to manage- and my reality is not easy- but at least I know the truth! What about you? Do you feel better that you have a diagnosis? Is your loved one diagnosed? People tell me they don't like labels. I don't see this as a label. I see it as an explanation that helps me go easy on myself when things are tough. Julie

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Stumble upon something good? Share it on [ Read More ]


Related posts:Just Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?
Children: From Bipolar to Pervasive Develpmental Disorder
Podcast: reader question – I need help for my son when I travel…

Glenn Close on Bipolar Disorder and Schizo Affective Disorder in the family….

The Actress Glenn Close and Family Tackle the Stigma of Mental Illness.

I knew that Glenn Close's sister Jessie has bipolar disorder. I didn't know that Jessie's son Calen has schizoaffective disorder.  That is a lot for one family, but not uncommon at all. I'm glad to see people who are well known use their platform to say the words….

BIPOLAR DISORDER

SCHIZO AFFECTIVE DISORER

SCHIZOPHRENIA

in such an open way. Hallelujah! When I was diagnosed in 1995, most people didn't know the term bipolar disorder, including myself!

Here is the article about Glenn Close and her family. If you are outside the states, Glenn Close is considered one of the best actresses in the world and has moved from movies to a successful television show.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/glenn-close...

You can read more about schizoaffective disorder on the blog- check out the categories to the right and look for the schizo affective section.

Email this to [ Read More ]


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Bipolar Disorder and Work Reader Comments

Here is one from Gail:

Julie

I have worked several years since my diagnosis by it always ended in disaster when I would have a manic state and try to reinvent the work environment I was in. This created havoc for my co workers that ended up in me being fired in on position of office manager.  I was in charge of the accounting for a three million dollar a year practice, that ended with me having a breakdown and the books being investigated and them finding that I had times when my accounting was way out of whack. I was fired from this place and only because of the compassion of my employer charges weren't brought against me. So henceforth I am very sceptical about my returning to work no matter how well i get in fear that it can all go wrong again and of course my resume isn't worth the paper it is written on due [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar Disorder and Work: Why can I work some days and then some days are so hard?
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Bipolar Disorder and Work: Why can I work some days and then some days are so hard?

Ah, the essential question about work… why are some days so tough and then the next day you can just get up and do what needs to be done?

It's simply the nature of the ilness.  It is the main reason so many people with bipolar disorder can't or choose not to work at a stressful job. It's hard for us to maintain a consistent work ability day after day. The mood swings often get in the way.  The secret is to find work that allows for mood swings. I know, this is hard. It's very hard, but it's possible.

It also helps to be ready for the mood swings and have things in place to get your work done anyway.  I also make sure I use the good days to my full advantage and work as much as I can. Deadlines help me a lot.  Get it Done When You're Depressed is especially helpful when [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar disorder… the tough days
I'm Able to Work Today
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Schizoaffective Disorder and Toastmasters

Dawn just sent the following question:

Hi Julie,
I have decided that I will embark on a speaking career about my journey with schizoaffective disorder. Can you give me any suggestions on how to get started?
Thanks,
Dawn

 Hi Dawn,

Absolutely! I started with Toastmasters and was in a club for two years. That is definitely where I would start. I also found it opened a new world of friendship when I was unable to work. I loved it. There are many clubs all over the world- it's essential to pick a club that fits with your schedule and style. Here are some tips:

1. Find an established club.

2. Check to see how long current members have been there- this is often an indication of a strong club.

3. Ask how many members participate in the contests- not everyone has to do this- but speaking contests are a great way to know if your club is successful.

4. Ask about consistent attendance- this [ Read More ]


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