Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 28

Parent of a Young Child with a Mental Health Disorder?

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I’m looking for three families who want to be a part of the team for my new book Hortensia and the Magical Brain: Poems for Kids with Bipolar, Anxiety, Psychosis and Depression.


 


Hortensia and the Magical Brain is a book of therapeutic poems for kids with symptoms of mania, depression, anxiety, psychosis, ADHD, irritation, violent behavior and so much more.


 


The book will be a conversation starter for parents and health care professionals to help kids talk about their symptoms when they don’t have the words to explain what is happening in their brains.


 


Parents on the editing team will receive poems to read to their kids to see how the child responds and what suggestions the child has for changes to the poems.


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Here are the requirements for participation in the project:


 


1. You have a child between the ages of 4 and 12 who has diagnosed mental health symptoms that need treatment.


 


2. You are open to reading poems to the child and reporting what suggestions the child (and you!) have on the content. This has worked really well so far with the parents who helped me with the Kickstarter for the book. 


 


3. You are looking for a comprehensive plan for your child that includes medications if needed, as well as management modalities such as occupational therapy, drawing, movement, singing, writing, meditation and working with a wide range of health care professionals on a plan the whole family can use.



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ALL participants in return for helping with the poems and the book will receive coaching sessions from me at NO CHARGE. I am not taking on new paying clients so that I can focus on Hortensia and the Magical Brain. The three new families I work will become my clients. I want to give as much as I receive.


 


The book will come out in the fall. Before writing, please make sure you have a few hours a week for the next three months to devote to the project.


For more information, please e-  mail      Julie Fast Books  at G-mail dot com with a bit about yourself and I will be in contact.

 Thank you!

 


Julie


Illustrations are by the incredible Kaytie Spellman.


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Related posts:
The Kickstarter for Hortensia and the Magical Brain is Live!
Hortensia and the Magical Brain: I would love your help in finding a subtitle for my new book!
Seven Signs of Stable Kids

Caught in the Borg of Depression

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Hopefully, when I share my struggles with bipolar, psychosis and anxiety you can feel less alone with what you go through.

I write books on mental health management. I have all of the tools you can possibly imagine at my finger tips. I do everything you read in my books. My relationships are non contentious. I ask for help when needed. I know my symptoms and I have a plan for stability.

And I still get sick! Darn it! This nasty illness is so sneaky and like The Borg it sucks the life out of me!

That is the nature of mental illness. There are positives of course. I am 75% better than in the past.

But the 25% that remains is rough!

No matter how vigilant you are in life, mental illness can zap you. It’s not because you are weak. It is not because you have done anything wrong. It’s simply an illness.

I played music for pleasure for the first time in a few weeks this morning. I knew I was dealing with depression, but this really clarified how strong the depression has been. My ability to listen to music for pleasure always leaves me when I’m depressed.

It is ok that I was depressed. I have bipolar so this is normal.

Captain Picard escaped the Borg and I can too!

Julie

PS: If you have never seen Star Trek: The Next Generation, it’s worth watching. The topics are just as relevant today as when they show first aired!

Related posts:
Bipolar Depression Arrives, but it Doesn’t Have to Stay!
Bipolar Disorder Depression: An Unhappy Morning from My Past
Reader Question: Depression

Julie, What are the side effects of lithium? What is lithium orotate?

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I want to stress that all drugs have potential side effects- even natural salts like lithium. Side effects are NOT the same for everyone. I have friends who have been on lithium for over 30 years with little to no side effects and normal kidney function.


 


There there are people like myself who get great relief from lithium, but can’t take it regularly due to side effects.


 


Common lithium side effects include a very strong thirst, lethargy and a dull feeling in the mind. It can affect reading ability and writing. Memory can be a problem as well. Weight gain and increased hunger are also side effects. The most serious side effect in my book is APATHY. This means the person on lithium loses interest in doing things that once brought pleasure. This is not depression, it is a lack of interest in life that is not about the mood.


 


I LOVE lithium. I would take it every day if I could. My friend and mentor Dr. Jay Carter is a big advocate for the use of lithium orotate as it is over the counter and all natural. I use it as needed, but can’t take it often due to weight gain.


 


Many, many people with bipolar disorder can take lithium without these side effects. The only way to know how you will react is to try lithium in small doses and go form there.


 


If you care about someone with bipolar disorder who refuses medications, especially if they do so as a protest against big pharma- lithium orotate is a great supplement to try. Talk with a qualified health care professional about taking 5mg of over the counter lithium orotate as a natural treatment for bipolar disorder mood swings.


 


Julie

Related posts:
Bipolar Disorder Medications – Lamictal Side Effects
Bipolar Medication Side Effects
Bipolar Disorder Medications: Lithium

Bipolar and Marijuana: What is Dabbing?

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Bipolar disorder and marijuana education: What is dabbing? One of the top concerns I see in bipolar disorder management today is marijuana and dabbing.


 


The use of high THC pot is linked to an increase in psychosis and mania in those of us with bipolar disorder. The highest concentrate of THC when people use weed is creating wax from dabbing. The process is explained in the article linked below. 


 


The more we educate ourselves and keep an open mind into how we can stay safe and stable, the better we can help our sons, daughters and partners make healthy decisions around their mental health.


 


My bipolar disorder and marijuana education work focuses on harm reduction and the prudent use of substances when you have a mental health disorder. I have to do the same in my own life.



Click here to read the article Cannabis 101: What is Dabbing and How Do Dabs Work?


Julie


Click here to read more about my class for parents BIPOLAR DISORDER AND MARIJUANA: A Group Coaching Call for Parents with Julie A. Fast

Related posts:
Bipolar Disorder and Marijuana: A Class for Parents
The New Psychotic Pot: Is High THC Marijuana Dangerous for People with Bipolar Disorder?
Positive Changes in Our Bipolar Disorder World

Julie, How do I Avoid Getting Lost Between Bipolar Mania and Staying in Real Life?

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I’ve taught myself to recognize mania from the beginning.  That is the answer to how you keep from getting lost in mania. Once it is to the point that you can’t see it, it’s too late. For example, right now due to the stress of my latest project (I’m writing a children’s book), I’m going in and out of hypomania. I know the signs from my Health Cards of what this mania looks like.

 

When I start to talk a bit too loudly and can’t hear it. When I don’t care about seeing my nephew as much and become more selfish. These are signs.

I now know this is not natural for me. When I think about men more than usual, I don’t just let myself explain this away that it’s normal for a woman to think about men.

The only way to prevent mania is to write down your symptoms and memorize them and then make the decision that you choose stability over mania.

My mania usually feels good- really good.  People say heroin and cocaine feel good as well- but look what happens after the good is gone. It’s the same with mania.

Giving in to mania is a choice. I want to make better choices in life that living in mania.

Here is an article from BP Magazine that I wrote on the topic called Bipolar Mania: Am I Having Too Much Fun? 

I struggle regularly with the balance between wanting to get things done and not giving in to euphoric mania. I see it as my challenge in life. You are not alone!

Julie 

Related posts:
Bipolar Disorder and Decisions
Is bipolar disorder illness really REAL? I ask myself this all of the time.
BIPOLAR DISORDER MANIA 101: Do you know the difference between dysphoric and euphoric mania?

Bipolar Disorder and Marijuana: A Class for Parents

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Parent of a child with bipolar disorder who is concerned about marijuana? I have two spaces available in my next bipolar disorder and marijuana education class.

This class provides an overview of how marijuana can affect those of us with bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and anxiety. I share my harm reduction plan that can lovingly be used by the whole family to learn how to manage mental health when pot is in the picture.

 

Here is the information on the class:

MASTERCLASS: Bipolar Disorder and Marijuana

(Please send an email to Julie Fast books at gmail for enrollment information.)

BIPOLAR DISORDER AND MARIJUANA: A Group Coaching Call for Parents with Julie A. Fast

Date: TBD. This is a live coaching call limited to eight parents.  Please contact Julie if you would like to participate.  Please note that the call is private and no information is shared. All billing and correspondence is confidential.

Time:  TBD

 

Masterclass Format:   Two Hours

 

 

 

Cost: $149.95 per phone line. Couples are welcome. 

Class size is limited to eight phone lines. 

 

ABOUT THE COACHING CALL

Over half of my coaching business now involves a person with bipolar disorder who is having an adverse bipolar disorder reaction to marijuana. All of my bipolar disorder presentations now have a full section on the effects of pot use on people with bipolar disorder. I realized a few years ago that if I wanted to teach families and health care professionals help people with bipolar disorder, I had to come up with a plan to calmly educate the person with this illness about pot and show my clients and audience members how to approach the topic with a plan that works.  This two hour  group coaching call includes a lively discussion of marijuana use and how it can interact with bipolar disorder, a system to identify the symptoms of an adverse reaction to pot in someone with bipolar disorder and a full treatment plan to use immediately to help a person with bipolar disorder make informed decisions about marijuana use.

 

MEET THE TEACHER

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My name is Julie A. Fast. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two with psychotic features in 1995. If diagnosed today, I would receive a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis. I’m a four time bestselling author on the topic of bipolar disorder, schizo affective disorder, psychosis, depression and anxiety. I work as a family and partner coach and regularly train health care professionals on bipolar disorder management. I have worked with companies, mental health agencies and treatment facilities around the world to change the way bipolar disorder, psychosis, anxiety and depression are treated and managed. I lived with a partner for ten years who has bipolar disorder one. I’m an original columnist for Bp Magazine for Bipolar, a regular contributor to magazines such as People, US, Newsweek and the Psychology Today blog and have devoted my life to helping people manage mental health disorders successfully.

Julie during her former radio show. 2009!

 

I’m excited to share my research and personal experience around the often emotional topic of bipolar disorder and marijuana use.  We can learn the facts, face the challenges of this difficult topic and offer alternatives to those who need help managing their use of the drug.  I have bipolar disorder and fully understand the need to self medicate- to calm down and to escape the mood swings. There is no judgement here. I smoked way too much pot in the 80s to ever judge someone for their choices. I’m committed to finding a reasonable and heart felt way to dealing with this significant and growing problem in the mental health world. Join me and be part of the answer.

 

 

A question…..

Does your loved one with bipolar disorder exhibit the following symptoms after using marijuana?

• Aggression

• Poor decision making

• Trouble working

• Magical thinking

• Loss of reasoning ability

• Psychosis- especially if the person has never been psychotic before. Paranoia is the most common symptom.

• Irritation, anger and or physical violence

• Personality change (especially a lack of empathy)

• Trouble with the law

• Inexplicable and out of character behavior that you have not seen from bipolar disorder mood swings alone

• An increase in bipolar disorder symptoms, especially dysphoric mania

 

 

IT’S PERSONAL

Imagine my surprise when after a serious biking accident in 2012, I tried medical marijuana and as a person with bipolar disorder had the worst psychosis and mania of my life. Even after extensive research and careful planning to prevent bipolar disorder symptoms, I watched my bipolar disorder two symptoms turn into full bipolar disorder one symptoms in the space of a few days. This experience helped me see the situation from both sides and greatly deepened my ability to educate the public on bipolar disorder and marijuana use.  Because of my personal experiences, I understand people with bipolar disorder who want to use marijuana to feel better. I also approach the topic from the perspective of an educator who is dedicated to informing the public in a calm and rational way about the serious symptoms that can show up when a person with bipolar disorder uses marijuana- even with the best intentions.

 

Have you heard any of the following statements from a loved one or client when you try to talk about bipolar disorder and pot use? 

I use pot to calm down. It helps my anxiety and you need to get off my f’ing back!

It’s proven that marijuana helps people with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms. It’s better than taking some drug from big pharma. 

I can do what I want. Why would they legalize it in so many states if it’s as dangerous as you say it is? 

You smoked pot! Now you’re telling me I can’t! You’re a hypocrite. 

There is no research on what you’re saying. The problem is far more serious with drinking that pot! 

I need help, but I can’t stop smoking. It’s like there is a hold on me and I have to have it in order to function. 

This group coaching call will give you the exact words to use when you hear the above statements. You will learn to have a two sided conversation about marijuana and bipolar disorder instead of participating in a one sided argument you know you will never win. I’ve shared my educational and harm reduction method with hundreds of clients who shared the above comments with me- it works.

 

OUR LESSON PLAN

PART 1: A stroll through the history of marijuana use and how the substance has changed in the past ten or so years. This section includes a thorough explanation of the different elements of marijuana and how they can affect the brain of people with bipolar disorder. You will learn how to have an educated and non emotional conversation about the topic. Medical marijuana use will be discussed with an emphasis on the roles of THC and cannabinoids. This is covered from a personal and professional perspective through my work with clients and health care professionals and my own medical marijuana experience.

PART 2:  A comprehensive explanation of the symptoms that can arise from an adverse reaction to marijuana including the specific signs of pot induced psychosis and mania. You will leave the class knowing exactly how to distinguish between symptoms caused by the illness vs. symptoms created by marijuana use.

PART 3:  You will learn my extensively tested and proven harm reduction plan yourself and then learn the exact words needed to share the information with someone who is showing signs of marijuana induced bipolar disorder symptoms with an emphasis on the specific signs of THC induced psychosis.

My goal is to teach you how to talk about this topic effectively and non emotionally. Appealing to and encouraging  someone whom you feel is having trouble to stop using pot for health reasons rarely works. If you’re a health care professional, even one trained in substance abuse and rehab, you know how hard it is to talk with someone who is having bipolar disorder symptoms and using pot to feel better. Instead, you can explore why the person is using the drug- their philosophy behind marijuana use and come up with a way to talk about this topic dispassionately and positively.   This is an educational and functional course. You will learn why so many people with bipolar disorder are having adverse reactions to today’s marijuana (as compared to just a decade ago) and how you can help a person with bipolar disorder understand why the drug is increasing symptoms and what can be done to help them choose a better way to mange mood swings. Yes, many people use weed to feel better and get caught by the strength of today’s marijuana.  This is why education on how marijuana can affect the bipolar disorder brain is essential.

I hope you will join me and help educate the world on this important topic. 

 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

Julie Fast’s passion, along with her very substantial in-depth ongoing research into the topic is what it will take to impact the mental health dilemma in our nation today. My husband and I were totally at a loss as to how to help our adult bipolar/ weed addicted son; following her advice allowed us to break through all of the muddled confusion and anguish.  Julie showed us how to communicate more clearly with our son, and also how to navigate within the often disappointing realm of mental health providers. I have utmost respect for the groundbreaking work that she is doing. My son would not be on the road to recovery today had it not been for Julie’s unselfish and passionate coaching.  Her insight in to the mind and struggles of a bipolar loved one is invaluable.

Melissa V.

Julie, you helped us get our daughter off of high THC pot and into treatment for her mental health symptoms. She believed we were poisoning her food and that dabbing was her medicine. We thought she would get harmed as she often left our house at night to be with fellow pot enthusiasts. You taught us not to ‘demonize weed,’ but to educated our beautiful girl on how her choices affected her brain health.  She still wants to talk about marijuana and how it can help her. We emphasize that it’s her choice and that certain behaviors around pot have consequences. We stopped lecturing and started educating.  It saved our family. 

Gerald M.

Let’s changes lives for the better- together.

Julie 

(Please send an email to Julie Fast books at gmail for enrollment information.)

 

Related posts:
The New Psychotic Pot: Is High THC Marijuana Dangerous for People with Bipolar Disorder?
Free Call with Julie: Avoid The Bipolar Conversation.. for Parents, Partners and Health Care Professionals
Information on Julie’s books and coaching for parents and family members

I Will Not Lie in Bed When I’m Depressed. I will help others and feel better!

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If helping others helps depression, what is something you can do from the depths of depression to help someone in need?

– You don’t have to feel good about helping someone.

– You don’t have to be motivated.

– You don’t have to have energy at all.

Pick one thing, do it and report back about doing it. That is all I am asking for today’s research.

I’m going to be nice to myself. I got in bed again and binged on a British police procedural. This is my go to depression behavior on the rough days. But I stopped after 30 minutes as really- watching murder mysteries is not a good depression management technique. HEHE.

I’m not depressed like I used to be- my original depression lasted off and on from age 19 until 48. That is not a typo.

I am MUCH better now, but I still get triggered. My Kickstarter set off a series of mood swings. Nothing new for me, but still awful to go through.

Believe it or not, when I get sick I run through what I write in my books- “Julie, what would Get it Done Say right now?” and I picture my own strategies.

So, I did something to feel better. I wrote my Bp Magazine blog for family members to know the signs we are sick. It comes out tomorrow. I will share it below when it’s posted.

I got myself into my office! I’m still depressed. I feel like crying. I want to isolate. But I won’t.

You can move forward when the bipolar is raging. Just know you aren’t going to feel good at first.

That comes later.

Julie

Related posts:
You Can Get Things Done When You’re Depressed!
Bipolar Disorder Depression: ” Julie, Can You Help Me? I Feel Like I Can’t Go On….”
Get it Done When You’re Depressed: A letter from a reader

How do you get someone in your life to accept help for a mental health disorder?

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This is a question I hear ever time I give a talk on bipolar disorder and mental health in general. My answer always surprises people.

I believe we help others find stability by stating our needs clearly along with the message that all relationships are reciprocal.

Then, the person can decide to listen or not listen. To participate or not participate. To change or not change.

People change when they want to. Nothing we do will EVER get another person to change. When we know our needs and state them clearly, the people in our lives can join us or leave us.

It is up to them.

If our needs are based off of kindness, personal growth and a healthy dose of knowing that humans make mistakes, we can find happiness. Stating our needs is an act of the greatest respect.

In seven years, all of my clients who stick with me have had success with this system as they have learned to state their needs.

We are not taught this in school. We are rarely taught this anywhere. This is what I teach in my coaching. People are shocked when I say that my coaching has nothing to do with a person who has a mental health disorder. That is a separate life. We are not responsible for anyone except our SELVES.

My coaching is about the client who wants better relationships in life. Self change is the only way I have found peace.

Julie

PS: I am moving from one on one coaching to creating a coaching series for online learning. I will keep you posted on my new products.

Related posts:
We need to talk: Violent Behavior in People with Mental Health Disorders
Where’s Julie? Oxford University Mental Health Panel on October 25, 2016
Try the Health Cards Today

Julie’s Bestselling Bipolar Disorder Book is on Sale!

[image error]Big news! Amazon often does sales on bestselling books. Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder is currently on sale for the print copy. This is the book I recommend for all people who want to understand the basics of bipolar disorder.

This is the book where I introduced the idea of trigger management, symptoms lists, the bipolar conversation, time changes and how they affect bipolar disorder and how to create a health care TEAM.

It’s a great book for family members and health care professionals as well.

Click here to read more about Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder. 

Julie 

 

Related posts:
Bipolar Happens! is a Bestselling Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle
Bipolar Happens! is a Top Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle!
Bipolar Happens! is #1 Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle!

Do You Suffer from Self Stigma? I Did!

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To find out, read the following symptoms:

1. “I am just going to keep my daughter at home until she is better. The hospital is a terrible place and I don’t want her to get labeled as bipolar.”

2. “I don’t want a psychiatric hospitalization to ruin his career chances.”

3. “I’m too strong to go to the hospital during an episode. Hospitals are for weaker people.”

4. “He is just having a tough time. His girlfriend left and wanting to die is simply a reaction to the breakup. He will be fine.”

5. “If you had been a better mother, our daughter would not be mentally ill.”

6. “I can’t let my daughter be locked up in some ward far away from home where they will pump her with mind numbing mediations and label her with some nasty illness that will be on her medical charts forever!”

7. “No son of mine has a mental illness. That doesn’t happen in our family. He will just have to deal with his problems and get on with life.”

8. “This is a drug problem. It’s not mental illness. Once he stops the drugs it will be ok.”

SELF STIGMA happens when our deepest, darkest fears and beliefs come to the surface during a crisis.

My former idea that going to the hospital is a weakness that would ruin my career is self stigma. I had to change. I looked at the strength it takes to check yourself into a psychiatric facility and I decided I want to be strong. Taking care of yourself is strong.

If I get too sick to take care of myself or if someone in my life tells me I need the hospital, I will go.

We talk so much about society and how it shames those of us with mental illness. I don’t buy into this idea. Our shame is internal in my opinion. Not having our picture on a social media page. Not liking or friending posts because people will know we went to a bipolar disorder site.

I want to change. I want to open my mind and tell the world that my mania, depression, psychosis, obsessions, anxiety, focus problems and general ‘odd thinking,’ are a part of my brain and not a reflection of my SELF.

I can change.

Join me!

Julie

The picture is me at age 16. The year my psychosis started.

Related posts:
A Reader Asks for Help. Do You Have Advice?
Bipolar Disorder II and Psychosis
bipolar disorder and going to the hospital