Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 41

Parent of a Child with Bipolar Disorder?

Join me for two calls that will change your life and your relationship with your child forever… and for the better.

Is it time to get YOUR life back from the jaws of a child’s out of control illness? It is possible. You can learn to help your child while maintaining your life and relationships. Join me for two days of life changing group coaching calls that will help you identify, stop and ultimately prevent the detrimental patterns that arise when a beautiful child’s ugly illness has taken over your family life. Change is possible and it can be quick.

I love it when lives change for the better.

Julie

PS: These calls work for all caregivers of teens and adults with bipolar disorder.

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Published on May 14, 2015 09:40

Partner of a Person with Bipolar Disorder?

It pays to TREAT BIPOLAR DISORDER FIRST.

Love is a wonderful thing. Love keeps relationships alive. Love is beautiful.

Bipolar disorder laughs at love. Bipolar disorder doesn’t care. The only way to keep a relationship going strong when one person has bipolar disorder is to treat bipolar disorder first. Here’s why:

Less stress on the relationship- when you’re arguing about mood swings, there is no time to discuss real issues.
Fewer medical bills- bipolar disorder is expensive in every way you can imagine.
Less addictive and dangerous behavior- when bipolar disorder is managed, we are far less likely to drink and do drugs.
Creates a stable environment for children- children can be taught that bipolar disorder is an illness, but it’s still traumatic for them to witness out of control mood swings.
Work is possible- so true! When bipolar is raging, work suffers. When we are stable we can work and contribute to a relationship.
Money can be managed more effectively- partners of people with bipolar disorder often live in fear of manic shopping mistakes. Prevention is the only answer.
Life can be enjoyable again- no matter how sick your partner has been in the past. Your partner can get better and bipolar disorder can be managed.

Say no to a relationship controlled by bipolar disorder. Say yes to a relationship based on love!

Julie

My book Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner is in its second edition. There is a new chapter on medications!

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Published on May 07, 2015 19:09

Bipolar Disorder Focus Problems?

Having trouble getting things done?

Here’s a tip I’m currently using with my business partner as we sit at the table and curse our ADD brains! 1. Put yourself in a place you can work. We often meet at coffee shops where I’m perfectly fine in the noise and bustle. My partner prefers the quiet. We compromise. If your office setting isn’t working, pick up your work and go to another room. It is possible. Where you work affects your output. Look around- are you in a location that is conducive to getting things done? Julie

Ps: Click here to read my Bp Magazine Blog: Bipolar Disorder and Focus Problems: A Day in the Life of a Swivel Head.

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Published on April 21, 2015 09:03

Bipolar Disorder Depression: ” Julie, Can You Help Me? I Feel Like I Can’t Go On….”

Here is a post from last year when I was in a down swing. I hope it helps if you’re in a downswing today. Julie

I’ve been posting a lot to Facebook lately. I have a wonderful bipolar disorder community on my page and I find great solace, fun and a lot of joy from the posts. Here is a question from a reader and my answer.

” Julie, please help me. I feel like I can’t go on… How do you do it? .”

It took me many years to find the answer, but it’s simple- I understand and accept that the feeling that I can’t go on is just another symptom of bipolar disorder and it’s common when you’re in a down swing. It’s common after you have had a bad manic episode- it’s so common that I wrote two posts about shame just in the past week because I had to deal with it after being manic once again. When you feel like you can’t go on- the feeling is real. It does feel literally like you can’t go on, but you can. You have probably done it many times before. I believe that thinking that one day that feeling is going to stop is what gets us into trouble. Feeling that you can’t go on is a symptom just like feeling euphoric when you’re in a super good feeling up swing is a symptom. They are equal. One makes you feel like you can take on the world, the other makes you feel that you can’t handle another day. NEITHER IS REAL! Does that make sense? Just like we have to learn that chasing euphoric mania is not good for us, it’s equally not good for us to believe that we can’t go on.

I’m down tonight- which is the normal brain chemistry event that happens after a manic episode. I was manic yesterday and I’m down today. It makes sense as I have ultra rapid cycling bipolar disorder two. I’m simply experiencing the illness. This is what makes me such a great writer and coach- I go through the mood swings just like everyone else. If you have written me and asked for advice- here it is.

EXPECT THE FEELING THAT YOU CAN’T GO ON AND HAVE A PLAN FOR IT.

My plan is to take my meds- reach out to dear and loving friends- I just texted my friend Karen and will call my friend Sherry right now because it’s what I need to do- believe me, it’s not what I want to do! And I have a favor. If you have had the feeling that you can’t go on, please leave your advice below for how you deal with it and move through it- remember, if you have bipolar disorder, it’s not going to disappear. It will return if triggered. But that is the ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS ILLNESS! It’s episodic- we can and usually do go back to baseline. I plan to. And darn it- no matter what, I will get out of this down swing in the next few hours by doing what I write about in my books. Helping others is what works for me. I’m interested to know what works for you and I know that all of the people who write me who are in pain would love your advice as well.

Julie

Please visit me on Facebook at Julie A. Fast

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Published on April 19, 2015 19:47

Getting Through the Family Holiday Dinner When You Have Bipolar Disorder

Going home to visit my family during the holidays used to be a joy when I was a child. Bipolar disorder changed this for many years. I saw family gatherings as a place that highlighted my shortcomings, my medication weight gain and how behind I was in life because of this illness.

It’s Easter tomorrow and for those who celebrate the day with a big family dinner, planning ahead for the inevitable feelings that come up for people with bipolar disorder is essential.

Now that my bipolar disorder is under control and I’m more able to accept myself for who I am, I enjoy dinners with family and friends. I still have the illness. I still struggle with my weight and I still get stressed when there are too many people around, but wow, life is so much better when you learn how to exist in your environment no matter where you are! You can do it!

Lets Face Facts: Family dinners aren’t always the best place to be when you have bipolar disorder. This is especially true if you only see your family during big occasions and past resentments, worries and personal slights come to the surface no matter how hard you fight to stay stable.

Here are four tips to make it through the FAMILY DINNER!

1. Refuse to compare yourself to people who don’t have bipolar disorder. This leads nowhere and makes you feel inferior.

2. Don’t take the bait. For example, if you’re with people of a different political persuasion, force yourself to be SILENT unless it’s so egregious you have to stick up for someone. If your family has a pattern of political strife during dinner, check out of the conversation and play with the kids and the animals.

3. Be the solution, not the cause. Don’t let YOUR bipolar disorder make you into the person creating the stress around the table. Work on stability. Take care of yourself and treat bipolar disorder first so that you are one of the people who brings pleasure and not pain to the event.

4. If you take medications, don’t forget them! If you’re flying somewhere, keeps meds in separate bags.

I just traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for work and visited my family in Alabama. I was nervous. I’m not thin. I’m not perfect. I used to feel inferior to my accomplished family. I now know that when people love you, they accept you. I felt accepted and loved when I was with my family. This made the trip wonderful instead of stressful.

Julie

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Published on April 04, 2015 11:52

It’s World Bipolar Day… Let’s Celebrate!

The International Bipolar Foundation did all of the hard work for us. It’s not easy to create a day just for those of us with bipolar disorder, but they have done it! Since today is the day, the best way to show your support is to post on Twitter and facebook using the hashtag

#WorldBipolarDay

Tell your story! Share some encouragement and most of all, let’s help people all over the world feel safe enough to say they have bipolar disorder. Stigma ends when the numbers get so high they can no longer be ignored.

I’m not ashamed to have bipolar disorder. It’s simply an illness. Nothing more.

There is strength in numbers and wow, there are a lot of us with bipolar disorder.

Forza!

Julie

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Published on March 30, 2015 05:46

Write Your Bipolar Disorder Self Help Book!

Tips for writing a book to help others manage bipolar disorder:

Want to get your wit, tips and wisdom on the page? Here is my strategy for writers who want to create self help books that stay in print for decades:

1. Here’s who I am.

2. Here’s what I’ve been through.

3. Here’s the problem.

4. Here’s how I solved it.

5. Here’s how I’m going to help you do the same.

***

This is a great way to start a self help book. One of my writing secrets is that I outline my books as I write. I have a structure in place before I start the content of the book. You can use these five sections as an outline and start filling in the sections with your ideas. The book will create itself. All of my self help books including The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder, Get it Done When You’re Depressed, Bipolar Happens!, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder used this process.

Good luck with your writing.

I know you can do it!

Julie

Click here to read an article from the Renegade Writer blog about my writing process. It’s from quite a few years ago, but my system hasn’t changed. One thing that has changed? I’m not depressed like I used to be. We CAN get better.

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Published on March 23, 2015 22:40

Can Energy Drinks Lead to Bipolar Disorder Mania?

(This is one of my top ten posts. Let me know what you think! Julie)

I’ve written many books on bipolar disorder and they all discuss mania extensively- but they don’t discuss energy drinks and how they might affect mania. The reason is that the explosion of these drinks on the market is so new that it wasn’t even a topic of concern a few years ago.

How did so many products get on the market so quickly? I think it was the success of Red Bull and it moved on from there. I have to ask: Are we really that tired? Or do we just like feeling buzzed? Who knows? But I do know it’s a potential problem.

Can these energy drinks lead to mania or exacerbate mania?

Yes.

But it might not be in the way you think.

It’s not that the energy drinks are bad for you because they directly cause mania. They don’t. They are not like drugs that go into your system and potentially cause a manic episode such as meth, cocaine, ADHD stimulants or anti depressants.

Instead, the problem is that energy drinks significantly affect sleep. Consistent research shows that one of the top triggers of bipolar disorder is a change in sleep patterns. Thus, there is a link with the energy drinks and how they can rev you up to the point that sleep is significantly impaired or impossible. This is a fire-starter for mania. (Is there a drink called Fire Starter? It wouldn’t surprise me!) People without bipolar disorder can drink all they want. I know someone who drinks Rock Star all day and jumps around like a rabbit- but it is her choice. She doesn’t have a brain that gets manic. You or someone you care about probably does get manic. That is the difference. It’s why you have to make choices that consider bipolar disorder. Yes, it’s a bother and not fair, but it’s reality. Who thought a little can could cause so much trouble! The other night I was watching UFC (mixed martial arts) with my brother at a bar. The woman next to me ordered her second can of Red Bull. I thought- there is no way you could get me to drink that. I’d fly through the roof! Here is what she said when it arrived:It’s not alcohol, but it gets me plenty high!

Another example: I go to karaoke regularly and see people order a Red Bull and Guinness. I am no prude and have had way, way too much to drink in my lifetime to judge, but this just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. And very few people stop at just one.

To be honest, having one energy drink early in the day may not affect your sleep. You will have to experiment. Problems start when you drink them at night, all day or have more than enough at a bar and then can’t sleep. Please think about it.

Energy drinks may be over the counter- but so are cigarettes. If you have trouble with mania (or anxiety), energy drinks are not your friend.

It’s as though the energy drinks lull people into thinking they are not really a problem as they are sweet and a pretty color in a vibrant can. But beware!

Julie

- For more information, click here to read an excellent article called Are Energy Drinks Safe?

- If you’re a parent of a child who feels that energy drinks are no problem- feel free to pass this on.

- My books that best explain mania the best are Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder.

- Information on my family coaching can be found here.

Note: I just received this excellent question: What about coffee? The first difference is the amount of caffeine. Some of the drinks have the same caffeine as a cup of coffee. Some have quadruple. Another difference is sugar content (one has almost the double of a Coke) as well as other ‘natural’ stimulants used in the drink. (Sugar free versions are available, but their stimulant content stays the same.) And finally, it’s simply rare for someone to drink espresso all day or all night. Can you imagine seeing someone with a big coffee mug of espresso and drinking it even while singing karaoke? Whew!

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Published on March 12, 2015 20:22

Guest Blogger Tom Wootton on The Ecstasy of Depression

Author and deep thinker Tom Wootton challenges me every time I read his work. We have chosen different paths on our journey with bipolar disorder, but we both believe that extreme self evaluation and reflection are an important part of learning to manage this illness. He sent me the link to his thought provoking and view shifting article from Psychology Today with these words:

I value depression as much as any state. Have you seen my article about finding ecstasy in depression? Perhaps my most radical article.

Click here to read Tom’s Article How I Found Ecstasy in Depression from Psychology Today

I believe there are a myriad of ways to manage bipolar disorder. Tom offers a path that might help you if you have not yet found work that resonates with how you or a loved one experience bipolar disorder. Think of what you need- explore what is out there and then find what works for you!

You can read more about Tom’s work, including his books at www.BipolarAdvantage.com.

Julie

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Published on March 12, 2015 14:45

Bipolar Disorder Check in…

The mood swings over the past few weeks have been intense, but they are now calmed down.

Managing bipolar disorder is a daily task.

I don’t get a break. Is it that way for you? I’m not saying I’m miserable or in a mood swing all of the time. I am saying that in order to stay as stable as possible, I treat bipolar disorder first in all things that I do. I’m speaking in Atlanta, Georgia on the 18th. I started planing for the trip last week in terms of getting my sleep on the same time schedule and packing ahead of time. If I don’t do this- and believe me I don’t want to!- it will affect my performance!

Julie

Here I am in the tulip fields in Seattle, Washington and traveling in China in 1995. I was hypomanic when I went to China…by myself! I then got psychotic and depressed in Hong Kong and was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder a month after these pictures were taken. Wow, so long ago!