Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 39

What Does Bipolar Disorder Mania Spending Look Like?

I have bipolar disorder. I used to spend enormous amounts of money during my hypomanic episodes. I’m much more stable now thanks to my treatment plan, but it doesn’t mean I’m cured!

Check this out.

Embarrassing, but better than spur of the moment trips to China and $2000 chairs!

This creeps up on me. I buy pens. I use them at work, but not this much! I feel better when I buy pens, so I allow it. But I must stay aware and prevent bigger spending.

This illness wears me out, but we can survive and do just fine.

Julie

What Does Your Bipolar Disorder Mania Spending Look Like?

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Published on November 30, 2015 09:50

Join me on Facebook for My Personal Posts on Life with Bipolar Disorder

I use the BipolarHappens blog to post tips and strategies for managing bipolar disorder. I do share personal stories, but the majority of my daily experiences with bipolar disorder are posted on Facebook. Please join me and send a friend request.

Click here to visit my Julie A. Fast Facebook account and let’s get acquainted!

Julie

PS: I’m on Twitter @JulieBipolar

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Published on November 30, 2015 09:44

Ask Julie: How Do I Talk With My Boyfriend About His Lamictal Dose?

How do I talk to my boyfriend about his Lamictal dose?

I often get questions on how to talk a person with bipolar disorder about their medications. Here is a question from Cheryl. I use a tecnhnique I use called ‘scripts’ with all of my coaching clients. I explain a bit about scripts in my answer.

Hi Julie,

My boyfriend just started taking Lamcital about a year ago and his doctor only has him on 40 mg and it’s just not enough. After almost 20 years of refusing to take meds this is progress for sure, but both he and his doctor are being so very conservative I’m still waiting for the miracle to kick in. Don’t get me wrong, even at 40 mg it’s helped, but there is still irritably, cycling, sleeplessness, etc. His mom is at 400 mg so at least in theory he should be able to tolerate a higher dosage. How does one call attention to this issue without seeming to do so?

Thanks, Cheryl

Hello Cheryl,

Thanks for your question. As you know, I’m not a doctor. But 40mg of Lamictal is so low I’m surprised it’s working at all. We are all different of course- but when the therapeutic dose of Lamictal is 200mg, it makes sense to get close to that to see how much the Lamictal can really help. My coauthor Dr. John Preston is a psychopharmacology expert and he agrees! My mom is on 150 mg and my brother is on 300 mg. I am on 700 mg. (Yes, 700 mg.) We are all getting huge benefits from the Lamictal. If your boyfriend were stable, then it wouldn’t matter what the dose is- but since he is having symptoms, the dosage needs to be examined!

Regarding how to talk with him. I believe in a very direct approach. If you can’t talk to him about his meds, it will be hard on you to always have to tip toe around the topic. I teach all of my clients to talk directly with their loved ones- BUT there is a certain way you have to do it. I call the following example a script. This means you stick to it and use a tone of voice that is loving, light and yet firm.

Here is what I would say: I know that you and your doctor are trying to take things slowly. This usually means a few months at a time to increase a dose. Lamictal only works well when it’s at a therapeutic dose. All of the research shows that Lamictal works at around 200 mg. I know that you are working so hard to manage this illness. I’m really proud of you! I want the meds to make a difference. It will never hurt to try a higher dose and you can go from there.

I know you like your doctor and he wants to make sure you’re ok, but you’re also a part of this. It’s about team work. I have heard that Lamictal helps with depression, but it also calms down anger, rapid cycling, hypomania and sleep troubles. (I read it on Julie’s blog and she knows first hand!) I want to work with you on this. A lot of people don’t know that Lamictal helps a lot more than depression. I want you to be as stable as possible because I love you!

Go for it Cheryl!

A Note from Julie: All drugs have potential side effects. I believe that having a management plan that works- like the one I talk about in Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder comes first. We can then add medications as needed. This is the only method that makes sense to me. If someone get very ill and needs immediate medications, I believe the next step is this plan. Dosing depends on your symptoms. I assure you that it’s possible for you or a loved one to take the minimum dose of a drug with all of the benefits and less side effects once there is a management plan in place. This is especially true for those of us with bipolar disorder two as we don’t experience full blown mania. The more bipolar disorder symptoms you can manage on your own, the less you will need high doses of medications. This means less side effects. Work on triggers and lifestyle- and then add the smallest amount of drugs needed to help you find good stability. Heck yes, it’s a lot of work, but it’s better than being sick and drugged out on medications.

We can do it! Julie

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Published on November 29, 2015 17:29

Bipolar Disorder and the Thanksgiving Holiday part two…….

Continued from Thanksgiving part one…..

My friend Margery who has bipolar disorder just called and told me that her sister has decided to come down to Portland instead of staying in Seattle. Margery said, “I cooked her dinner a few years ago, Julie. I’m not spending days cooking for something that is gone in a few hours. It’s too stressful!” I agree. Margery just reserved a full Thanksgiving dinner from Whole foods. She picks it up Thanksgiving morning! She said it was so cheap when everyone went in on it. These stores have great and inexpensive salad bars as well.

Good idea: Say no to cooking if it’s too much for you. Let others do it or buy dinner from a store and bring it home. Or, eat out!

I’d like to say I’m immune to the whole Thanksgiving thing- but I’m not. I have to make sure I have something to do that day or I know I will get depressed and lonely. It’s my nature. The concept of Thanksgiving has been burned into my American brain. My dinners were so wonderful as a child- that is what I remember.

Here are some tips if Thanksgiving is important to you:

1. Plan now. Where do you want to be? Start hinting to the people you know that you would be a good addition to the party.

2. Send out an email to friends saying you are looking for a fun dinner. You will get replies.

3. Volunteer for the day. Many people do this and you meet new friends.

4.Crash a party!

5. Go to Target to check out the Black Friday specials. Oh – this just sounds terrible… but people love it! Buy a TV the next day!

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Published on November 23, 2015 12:17

BP Magazine blog: Letter from a Dysphoric Manic Person

What do people who are in a bipolar disorder dysphoric manic episode really think? I wrote a blog for BP Magazine on this topic based on my own dysphoric manic thoughts and the stories I’ve heard for many years about how dysphoric mania turns us into people no one can recognize.

A bit of background- there are two levels of mania- HYPOMANIA and FULL BLOWN MANIA. Bipolar one has hypomania and full blown mania. Bipolar two has hypomania. There are two sides to the mania coin: euphoric mania and dysphoric mania.

EUPHORIC MANIA- WOO HOO!

Most of us know euphoric mania- active,upbeat, positive goal oriented, inclusive, full of ourselves, but not menacing, artistic, bright and filled with energy that often fills a room. Sleep isn’t needed or wanted. Many people love euphoric mania and won’t take meds because it means losing this incredibly, albeit dangerous body and mind sensation.

DYSPHORIC MANIA- SCREW YOU!

Then there is a icky, awful, super dangerous and downright odd mania: dysphoric mania. This mania has the same energy level as euphoria, but it’s a negative depressed energy. This mania is also called mixed mania because the energy is high and the mood is low. A person is goal driven in a nasty way- “I will make you pay for what you did for me last year!” The upbeat turns into depressed negativity. It’s mean and menacing with a lot of facial changes and beady eyes filled with adrenaline and unkindness. Our bodies are PAINFUL and we want to GET OUT of where we are because we are so uncomfortable. We have no reasoning ability and eventually the behavior can become violent, especially in terms of road rage and destroying things. Sleep isn’t needed or wanted. Dysphoric mania is never fun.

My BP Magazine for Bipolar blog takes you into our minds when we are in a dysphoric manic episode. I would LOVE to hear from people who have been on the inside of this mania and those who have watched with horror as this mania takes over.

My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has a plan to manage this mania. It takes work, but we can get out of this nasty stuff if we use prevention techniques.

Oh man, dysphoric mania sucks!

Click here to read my Bp Magazine blog: Letter from a Manic Person. I’d love to know what you think and if you have experienced dysphoric mania yourself or as a family member.

Julie

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Published on November 01, 2015 09:13

Thank you for your patience with the BipolarHappens.com blog updates!

As you can see, this site is under construction. You will still find all of my blog entries below. The menu and book links will return soon. Thank you for your patience! Julie

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Published on October 28, 2015 12:41

Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety and How to Deal with Panic Attacks in the Moment

Most people with bipolar disorder experience anxiety. I have a separate anxiety disorder along with my bipolar disorder II diagnosis which is why I used to drink so much and I still have issues with sugar. Here is a video of how I got out of a recent panic attack.Let me know what you think! Let others know how you manage anxiety as well. Let’s show the world that those of us with mental illness symptoms can get things done.

Julie

Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here!

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Published on October 14, 2015 10:46

Bipolar Disorder Mania

Bipolar disorder is an ILLNESS that affects a person’s ability to self regulate moods.

Mania is a symptom of bipolar disorder that causes people to do things that are so out of character it can ruin lives.

The only way to manage mania is to prevent mania.

People with bipolar one who have full blown mania need a management plan in place every day that monitors for signs of mania. Outside substances that can cause mania such as anti depressants, steroids, stimulants, coke, meth and high THC pot must be avoided.

This is serious stuff guys.

Mania used to ruin my life. I lost many relationships because of my manic behavior. Not any more! You can learn to manage this illness.

Julie

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Published on October 10, 2015 16:10

Why is it So Hard to Get Things Done When You Have Bipolar Disorder?

Here I am sitting in my car this morning with my typical bipolar disorder dilemma. What to do next? I’m amazed at how my brain works just fine one morning and then without any changes in my life, I’m sitting in my car and it’s absolutely painful to make a simple decision.

This is bipolar disorder in a nut shell! Having trouble getting things done is a bipolar disorder symptom. Most of us have it. It’s not personal. We are not lazy.

This is why I wrote Get it Done When You’re Depressed. This inability to make a decision is about the illness. I have learned to override my brain- it takes time and effort and I lose work hours that I really need, but at least I do get started.

Once the engine is fired up, I can work! That’s me in my office. I lost a few hours, but I’m working now!

Julie

PS: It’s hard to have depression. It’s hard to live with this every day. We can learn ways around it. We can get better when we have a plan. I love this book. I use it daily.

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Published on October 10, 2015 00:35

What Does Your Bipolar Mania Spending Look Like?

I have bipolar disorder. I used to spend enormous amounts of money during my hypomanic episodes. I’m much more stable now thanks to my treatment plan, but it doesn’t mean I’m cured!

Check this out.

Embarrassing, but better than spur of the moment trips to China and $2000 chairs!

This creeps up on me. I buy pens. I use them at work, but not this much! I feel better when I buy pens, so I allow it. But I must stay aware and prevent bigger spending.

This illness wears me out, but we can survive and do just fine.

Julie

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Published on October 08, 2015 10:33