Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 30

Julie is currently answering questions live on Facebook

Hello! I’m currently live on my Julie A. Fast Facebook page for the next few hours to answer your questions about mental health disorders including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, psychosis, borderline, ADD and medications.

I will also post the questions and answer here.

Julie

Questions:

Julie, What do you do when your psychosis is raging, and manic/hypo manic. How do you manage your daily goals?

Zih.

Hello Zih,

Let’s start at the beginning. We share the same symptoms as we both have bipolar disorder with psychosis. (The diagnosis is called schizoaffective disorder.) This means we have to deal with a lot of mood swings- sometimes all at once. I have an overall plan that I used for symptom management. This is in my books. Here is what I do specifically:

Getting started: I know my symptoms from the very beginning. I have a list of ALL of my mania and psychosis symptoms that I have compiled for many years. I did this through charting my moods. This process is outlined in my books Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder. I will post the links below. You obviously know your symptoms as well. Do you have them written down? It helps to have a very detailed list.

Step #1. Manage your sleep. Once I wrote down my symptoms- and believe me, I add to the list regularly, I created a plan to deal with each symptom in a way that keeps me from going further into the mood swing.

For example, ALL management plans have to have a plan for regular sleep. Let’s start there.

If you are manic and psychotic, sleep is going to be a huge issue. What is your plan tonight to sleep no matter what? For many of us, that means a good dose of sleep meds or taking more of the meds we take for mania and psychosis. This isn’t fun and I’m sorry we have to sometimes medicate ourselves this way, but sleep is paramount. Knock yourself out and sleep for at least eight hours and let the brain help you heal.

One of the main reasons hospitals work so well when a person is manic and psychosis is the regimented sleep.

Step #2. Be careful not to take your symptoms out on the people around you. I have to do this as I can get very aggressive and loud, mean and nasty, negative and bombastic when the mania is raging. This is my dysphoric mania and it’s so unpleasant! I make sure that I warn the people around me that I’m in an episode and I ask for help. I say, “As you can see, I’m having a hard time controlling my negativity. I don’t want to be this way. It’s the mania. You can help by reminding me that this is an illness and I will get through this as I always do. ”

Step #3. Look for triggers. What do you think led to the current mania and psychosis? If you can pinpoint the trigger, make changes in that area immediately. I just had a relationship issue and believe me, the paranoia was raging. That is my regular symptom when I have contentious conversations. It is no one’s fault. It is my brain. I have to remind myself that for me, paranoia is simply a symptom. Nothing terrible has happened. I just had an argument with a family member. Nothing has changed. This leads to the next step.

Step #4. Talk to yourself about your symptoms. I do this regularly. Julie, when you are manic you talk too fast, spend too much money and love to drink. This is a sign you are sick. It’s ok to have these symptoms, but you don’t have to act on them. What do you need to do right now to make sure you minimize mistakes and don’t do something you will regret? I have a plan in place for this and I USE it.

Step #5 Ask for help. You are already doing this by writing me. If you need to talk to a health care person, even if it’s just to check in, do it. I will write my therapist or call a friend when I need help. My illness tells me I have no friends, but I don’t listen and force myself to call!

This is a short list of what I do!

Julie

***

Julie, I have talked to u before. Which book of yours should I start with? I’m specially interested in ur card system. Thnx!

Erat.

Hello Erat,

I would start with Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and then move to the Health Cards. I call the Health Cards the Moneyball of bipolar disorder management. They really work, but are only for those who are ready to make a lot of changes in lifestyle in order to get better. I use them with all of the parents and partners I coach. Take Charge outlines the basic system and really explains bipolar disorder management for the whole family. I would definitely start with this book!

Julie

***

Julie, What is the most unusual reason for causing mania that you’ve heard of? Rudy.

Hi Rudy,

STEROIDS! I am working with a client right now where steroids are leading to mania. This means HGH, testosterone, prednisone, cortisone, etc. We use them so cavalierly in this country and yet they are very dangerous for people with bipolar disorder. Lately, high THC pot is the main cause of mania in my coaching work.

Julie

***

Hi Julie…my daughter is diagnosed bipolar 2. She often lies. Is this common with a bipolar person? Marsha

My daughter was also recently diagnosed with borderline personality and bipolar and lying is a big issue with her

Hello Marsha,

Yes, but ONLY during a mood swing. Bipolar disorder is episodic. There are NO exceptions. You can see I am being very firm in this answer.

That is because people often confuse bipolar disorder – a mood disorder- with personality disorder. People who have bipolar disorder only have symptoms when in a mood swing. We are absolutely regular in terms of behavior when we are not sick. Is your daughter’s lying cyclical or consistent over time?

Julie, she was also diagnosed with borderline. Marsha

Ah, you just answered my question. If she regularly lies, that is much more of a personality disorder symptom than bipolar disorder. But, please know that we ALL lie when manic. LYING IS A SYMPTOM OF MANIA.

Julie

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Published on January 16, 2017 17:50

Julie Interview in People Magazine about the Amazing Carrie Fisher

I was just interviewed by People Magazine about Carrie Fisher’s impact on our mental health world. What a wonderful woman. What a legacy she leaves behind. She will be missed. Click here to read the excellent article:

Inside Carrie Fisher’s Revolutionary Openness About Her Mental Illness: ‘She Changed the World’

Julie

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Published on December 28, 2016 20:23

Carrie Fisher and Staying Stable

What advice do you have for those who are deeply saddened by the people who have left the earth this year? I know it can be tough to have bipolar disorder and hear of so many deaths. How can we mourn someone we cared about and remain stable?

How can we say thank you for all that Carrie Fisher did for people with bipolar disorder and keep ourselves in one piece?

My advice is to set up a specific mourning time that has an end date. Rituals for the death of a loved one can be incredibly helpful. Create a collage. Write a poem. Do a beautiful, loving post about how the person changed your life. Then, and this is hard. Take care of your bipolar disorder. You matter too.

My Julie A. Fast Facebook page has more great support.

Julie

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Published on December 28, 2016 09:50

Holiday Encouragement

You are not your family. You are YOU. You are not what others say about you. You are YOU. You are not anyone’s image. You are YOU. As you go into the events that have a lot of family dynamics, remember who you are.

If being quiet works, then be quiet. If speaking out in a calm and loving way works, then speak out. But no matter what, remember that your body HOLDS you. It is not YOU. Your thoughts can sound true, but not be YOU.

Remembering who you are- what you want and what you need on a holiday is difficult, but possible.

We create our own families out of the people who treat us kindly. Being with family members who are not kind is always a chore, but if you know your CORE, you will survive.

Slings and arrows

Remarks about weight

Why aren’t you working?

You don’t look so great!

All of these comments from people who say they care

Can go in one ear and march out of the house

right

down

the

stairs.

You can do it! Make today better than any past holiday. Work towards internal harmony in the face of family chaos.

Take a break.

Do what you need.

Ask about others

Focus on children

If you are filled with abundance, do something for those who have less.

Reach out from the real YOU

And may your day be blessed.

Julie

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Published on December 25, 2016 07:26

Julie, Help! I don’t have plans for the holiday weekend!

A Christmas Cake from the amazing Alana Jones Mann

Here are some ideas:

1.Know you are not alone. I have spent many lonely holidays simply from not planning ahead.

2. Remove yourself from the idea of what this day SHOULD be like and focus on what you can make happen from this moment forward. Holidays are stressful because even though they are simply a day on the calendar, society puts enormous stress on what we should be doing on that day. Step out of this and create something of your own.

3. If there is time, plan something now. Call a person you think might be available. It you were invited to a party and said no because you were depressed, call and say you’re coming. If, and this is important too- you are expected to be somewhere and truly feel it will make you worse and that doing something else would be better, make the change now.

4. Learn from your mistakes. If you feel rotten that you don’t have anything planned this weekend, plan something now for New Year’s Eve.

5. Ask people to come to you. Ask for company. Don’t worry if you feel embarrassed, that is NORMAL. If you ask, you will receive. If you don’t ask, you will probably stay alone. There is someone like you in the world who wants company today. Find that person. I always loved going to Christmas Eve karaoke with my friends. That is a blast. If you’re religious, find a church and GO. If you’re spiritual, find a group that celebrates this weekend in a way you enjoy. If you’re lonely for your love, create something beautiful for that person and send it out in the world.

As you can see, all I’m saying is that even when we are depressed, we control our destiny. If you are not sure where you will be tonight- and being somewhere tonight is important to you, make plans now. Visit www.Meetup.com and find an event! I do this all of the time.

We make our own happiness. Loneliness today- lack of plans today- doesn’t have to be loneliness and a lack of plans for tonight or tomorrow. YOU CAN DO IT!

Julie

PS: Make a Christmas Cactus Cake and take it to a place that would make people happy. Click here to see the directions on how to make this cake. This is from the Alana Jones Mann website.

Post on Facebook that you don’t have plans for tonight and want to meet like minded people to see LA LA Land this evening!

Remind yourself that if you’re depressed, it’s normal. You don’t have to listen to it. You can fight it and go out anyway.

I believe in you!

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Published on December 24, 2016 11:16

Talking with Kids about Bipolar Disorder. The Julie and David Talk Bipolar Disorder Podcast

Julie A. Fast talks with her 14 year old nephew David about bipolar disorder. She started the conversations when he was four.

A note from Julie: It amazes me how easily David and I can talk about such a serious illness. I started off by educating him on my own depression, mania, anxiety and psychosis symptoms so that he could better understand my behavior. Now he is one of the greatest minds I know on the topic! He has so much insight. We can teach young people how to talk about and manage this illness. David doesn’t currently have bipolar disorder, but we have talked about the genetics of having it in the family. I hope you enjoy our discussion on how to talk about bipolar disorder in an open and relaxed way.

This podcast is on Soundcloud. You can listen to it from your computer. Please download the Soundcloud app to listen on your phone. You can also download this video and use it to start a conversation with your own family. Health care professionals have permission to use the podcast as well.

Click here to listen to the Julie and David Talk Bipolar Disorder Podcast: Talking with Kids About Bipolar.

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Published on December 21, 2016 14:10

Student Mental Health Panel at Oxford University

I recently spoke at Oxford University in England at the Oxford Union

The event The Student Mental Health Crisis – What Next? was a great success.

“25% of adults suffer from mental health conditions; this figure doubles among Oxford students. Many believe that drastic action is needed to respond to this crisis in care, engaging with both the general stigma and failing institutions.”

As a person who flunked out of my first college due to my untreated bipolar disorder, I’m passionately committed to helping students succeed in school. I eventually received a degree eight years after I started. It doesn’t have to be this hard. Universities, parents, students, health care professionals and teachers can band together and create a system that works for those of us who need extra assistance to get our degrees. I also want to encourage those of us who have experienced weight gain or other physical changes to get out there and shine. We can lose the weight eventually, but we can’t get the experience again. Words to live by!

Julie

PS: I used my travel plan for bipolar disorder in order to take the trip and still dealt with daily mood swings. We can get things done when we have bipolar disorder, but it definitely takes a lot of planing and recovery time when the event is over.

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Published on December 12, 2016 11:06

Tuesday ‘Get it Done’ Work Club with Julie A. Fast

Bipolar disorder scatters my thoughts, causes panic attacks, makes me restless, leads to worry and basically disrupts my life on a regular basis. But, I still have to and want to work. Right now, I’m sitting down with a plan and would love for you to join me. For the next two hours, I am going to finish the work I need to do. I want to stand up, go to a movie, watch a video, read a book, talk with someone, eat junk food and pretty much anything else that would keep me from working. This makes little sense, but it’s my life with #moodswings.

Here is my list of what I will do in the next two hours. Please join me on my Julie A. Fast Facebook page and share your list. Make it a realistic list. My list is very realistic. For each project I finish, I will explain my process and will check back in. I’m using the strategies from my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed. My first strategy- put yourself in a place you can work. I have done that. Now, I am going to work. It’s 11:45. I am going to time my work to keep myself on track. Oh, I hate this work anxiety, but I want to move forward in life. There is a way to get things done- it shifts around, but we can catch it and use it.

1. Send out email to people who listened to the Avoid the Bp Magazine Coaching call.

2. Send coaching homework to my much loved clients.

3. Answer coaching inquiries.

4. Put Rudy Caseres interview on Soundcloud.

That is a basic list. I will keep you posted.

What is yours?

The minute I wrote the list I wanted to run away. Nothing new. But, I know I will not feel GOOD about myself if I put off this very important work. I am committed to getting things done, no matter how painful it feels.

Your list might look like this.

1. Put on regular clothes.

2. Get bills in one pile.

3. Organize bills.

4. Pay one bill and then the next if I have time.

My list looks like this on MANY days. Today, I’m a big more high functioning and hope to stick to my regular work.

Julie

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Published on December 06, 2016 11:47

Are you Manic? Answer the questions below about bipolar disorder mania and find out!

Have you experienced any of the following in the past few months?

– Slept less but felt more energized? Had the thought… sleep is a waste of time!

– Had the thought- Thank god the depression is gone, I feel SO much better! ?

– Felt like spending more? Drinking more? Are you behaving in a way that has people asking you what’s wrong and you want to reply- NOTHING! Don’t wreck my buzz man. Do you want me to be depressed forever?

– Do you feel more sexual than normal? Do you have sexual thoughts about anyone who is good looking? Do you fantasize in a way you don’t normally do when stable?

– Are you eating less than you normally do?

If you answer yes to any of these, you know what it means. You might be manic!

NO MANIA THIS YEAR can be your motto.

It’s time to get help now: Check your meds, go back on meds if they worked in the past, tell the truth to friends, partner and family, read my books and take care of yourself.

Mania is always up to no good- even when it feels totally awesome!

Julie

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Published on December 05, 2016 10:02

Straight Talk about Hypersexuality in Children with Bipolar Disorder by Dimitri Papolous

From Bp Magazine. Here is one of the best posts I have read in a LONG time. By Demitri Papolos, MD who wrote The Bipolar Child.

A very common symptom of bipolar disorder— hypersexuality — is one that particularly affects and disturbs the families of children who have the illness, and yet is rarely talked about.

By Demitri Papolos, MD

Hypersexuality in children is rarely openly discussed for two reasons: one is that sexuality in children (bipolar or not) is simply not spoken about in public; and the other, sadly, is that parents of hypersexual children are afraid to mention the subject. They are petrified that child protective service agencies will find out and wrongly assume that a hypersexual child is an over stimulated child, and that overstimulation stems from sexual abuse in the home. Few people—even the professionals at child protective service agencies— realize that hypersexualityis very common during the manic or hypomanic stages of bipolar disorder in adults and in children.

What is the definition of hypersexuality?

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary describes “hypersexual” as “unusually or excessively interested in or concerned with sexual activity.” It is an accepted fact that hypersexuality hypersexuality is a symptom of hypomania or mania in an adult who has bipolar disorder.

In children, the symptom may manifest as a fascination with private parts and an increase in self-stimulatory behaviors, a precocious interest in things of a sexual nature, and language laced with highly sexual words or phrases.

Click here to visit Bp Magazine and read Straight talk about Hypersexuality in Children with Bipolar.

A note from Julie:

If you have bipolar disorder, do you have hyper sexuality? This is a common symptom of mania, especially euphoric mania. I have struggled with hyper sexuality symptoms since age 17.

At what age did yours start and how do you manage them now?

I have worked on this for many years and finally have it under control. Imagine dealing with the symptoms as a child!

Julie

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Published on December 05, 2016 09:53