Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 109

A Reply from Stinker and the question on Bipolar Antipsychotics and Weight Gain

If you go down below- you will see a blog about Seroquel and weight gain.  Here is an update from Stinker- a great name I must add.

Julie,

First, thank you for answering my question. I have spent two whole days just reading about the medications I am on, and what they are for. I also read chapter 1 of your book "Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder." Then I went to Healthy Place and found the article "Psychiatric Medication: Medication for Mental Illness."

I was able to talk with my doctor about my w...

Note from My Nephew David

David is my 8 year old nephew. We are very close.  I have told him about my bipolar since he was old enough to talk! Today we made a recording about what it's like to have an Auntie Wee who has bipolar disorder. I will post it soon! I just asked him what advice he has for people with bipolar disorder:

Well, try to do happy things and not like sad things when you're extra sick. Happy things like – for me, two days full of getting my legos organized and then I want all of things for the right...

Reader Question: The Bipolar Antipsychotic and Weight Gain Dilemma

Here is a question about the antipsychotic Seroquel and weight gain.

Hi Julie,

I have been on Seroquel for over 5 years now. I have Bipolar with psychosis. I am tired of the weight gain fight.
Seroquel has been very affective in controlling the psychosis which I have frequently. Is there anything that can replace the Seroquel in controlling the psychosis without the weight gain?

Stinker

Hi There Stinker,

Here is a short answer to your question:

Maybe.

Everyone responds differently to...

Getting things done in an age of technology

Bipolar Disorder and Work: Tips to get more done

- Turn off your computer and put it in a computer bag in the other room!
- Turn off the internet.
- Turn off the cell phone
- Put a sign on your door that says do not disturb.
- Find a CD that you play each time you work.

I am turning off my computer right now as I need to get some papers in order. This means I can't check my darn OCD inducing, time sucking email.

julie

Email this to a friend? Share this on Facebook Post this to My...

No Drama Bipolar Lifestyle: Newsletter

BipolarHappens.com NEWSLETTER

One Bipolar Drama After Another!

I used to have a lot of drama in my life. Much of it was due to my own choices, some of it was due to bipolar disorder causing me to make stupid choices, such as when I get manic.

I have changed completely in the past few years. I'm no longer willing to make decisions and then just hope they turn out ok.

I get too sick when I do this. I have goals in life that I want to reach- speaking to large groups on mental health, reducing the...

Come on! You Can Do It!

Sometimes the only thing that helps you get out of a mood swing is yourself.

When I wake up depressed and bipolar wants to tell me that I'm lonely and fat and will never be happy, I can get sucked in. But I have taught myself that I can fight back. And the best way to fight back is with action. So I force myself to get up and do something- anything- because anything is better than listening to what it says.  I start with saying this to myself:

Come on Julie. You can do it! Just get started...

Reader Question: Bipolar Disorder and Anger

Hi Julie,

I am going to court tomorrow, and I have been a mess, shakey, anxious, and frustrated at everybody around me.  I feel like everything someone says is just irritating and worthless to me.  I don't' want to around anybody, but I know that is not healthy for me. I have been getting worse all week leading up to this stressful situation.  I am worried that I am going to have a full blown depression episode.  I cannot concentrate and am having trouble sleeping.

Hi Colby,

Isn't it amazing...

Bipolar Medication Side Effects

Lamictal (Lamotrigine):  Anti-convulsant used as a mood stabilizer in Bipolar Disorder.  Lamictal is a great drug for depression and rapid cycling. It's not an anti-mania drug.

 I have been on Lamictal for five years- with very few side effects. When I raised my dose I had an odd reaction. My eyes became dry and the area under my eyes became very puffy. I actually just did a few videos for my blog and I look ill! It's a weird side effect. As I write this, I feel like I have been lightly...

Reader Comment: My son won't get help

I just received the following comment from Judi. Believe me, I understand her worries and frustrations, as I am sure many of you do as well.

Hi Julie,

 I find it very hard to tell my son that I can't take the mood swings that go with him. He has been unstable for years. Right now I am the only person he can talk to. If I turn my back on him now I'm sure he will commit suicide. There seems to be no way out for me. He needs to be hospitalized but that will NEVER happen. He told me that if I call ...

Do Half

When things are tough, almost everything you have to do can seem impossible- especially the daily stuff like cleaning your house, making dinner, mowing the lawn, making work calls, etc, etc.

I have learned something-  I don't have to do all of something-  I can vacuum half of the house, unload half of the dishwasher, cut half of the roses in my yard, make one call instead of all calls…  (You can then go back and do the rest later.)

The problem with bipolar is that it makes us think in all or...