Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 53

Bipolar Happens Blog Readers: Thanks for all of your comments!

I just posted all of the recent comments. Even the ones that were not happy with this blog! I do read everything that comes in and wish I could write each person directly. As you know from reading this blog, work is always a challenge. I’m currently working with my friend Dorian on his book The 30 Day Corporate Innovator. I’m excited to write on a business topic again, but wow, this illness is just too hard sometimes. Dorian is phenomenally understanding of my work time constraints due to bipolar disorder. It really is about the hours I can work and not my ability to work. If I limit my hours, I can stay well enough to do an excellent job!

This is a pic of Dorian and myself at the Back End of Innovation Conference last year. We’re holding a puzzle I created to help innovation executives evaluate if their innovators were ready for a funding discussion regarding their ideas.

I’m happy to be writing again.

My next book will be on bipolar disorder!

Julie

PS: The post below is about my applying for insurance. I did get the application in- despite the crying- and all is well.

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Published on January 15, 2014 15:40

Signing up for my Health Insurance Late: Monday Make it Happen!

Before you think I’m late in doing this because I’m a dodo bird- it’s not what it seems! Two months ago I called Regence and signed up for my new insurance plan over the phone. It took 90 minutes and I was so pleased with myself that I got it done early. I was on a special plan here in Oregon for those with preexisting conditions. This plan ended with Obama Care (thank heavens- choosing my own insurance is heaven!)

But.. why is there always a but when it comes to stuff that’s hard to do when you have bipolar? I just got the following call:

Regence: Ms. Fast? This is Shelly from Regence. I’m sorry, but there has been a mistake. I just got a memo from my manager that I’m not allowed to sign people up for the service over the phone. I’m sorry. I should have known this. You will have to go to the site and sign up yourself.

Julie: (Stunned! With the familiar feeling of dread that I would have to get online while dealing with a dysphoric hypomanic episode and sign up for insurance. I handled this well. I could tell she had been quite reprimanded and it took guts for her to call. I didn’t tell her the truth- could she handle it?)

Miss Shelly! Miss Shelly! Do you have ANY idea what a mess you have made of this? I have freaking bipolar disorder and dealing with forms and regulations in a rushed manner is not exactly my idea of a good time! I’m sick today and you will never understand how hard it was for me to stay on track and get my insurance well ahead of time like a good girl and now you’re telling me that I don’t have insurance! Are you kidding me? Thanks for making me more ill. I’m so upset!

Of course I didn’t say any of this. Mistakes happen, but here I am in 2014 without insurance. Guess what. I’ve decided to do the insurance right now and I’ll post how it goes. Maybe if you or a loved one hasn’t done their insurance yet- I can be an inspiration.

I want to do this as much as I want a root canal.

Here goes! I’ll be back. Please let it be a happy story!

Monday, 1/6/14 10 AM.

Julie

PS: I started to get anxious as soon as I went to the site. I’m going to do this today!

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Published on January 06, 2014 10:11

Bipolar Happens! is the #1 Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle!

Bipolar Happens: 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder is the #1 Bipolar Disorder Book on the Kindle!

That’s exciting. I went to the Kindle store to see how my books Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder were doing on the bipolar disorder page. These books are in the top ten ranking- and then I saw that Bipolar Happens! was #1.

Fantastic! Bipolar Happens! is an enjoyable book about a serious topic.

Guess what- it’s only $.99 I want it to be available to everyone.

Yes, I think this is a great deal and a good way to get helpful information about bipolar disorder at minimum cost. Bipolar Happens! was my first book. I knew I wanted to talk about how I manage the illness, but I also wanted to tell stories about how it affects my life daily.

There are stories about anger, manic spending, anxiety at a baseball game and what it feels like to be psychotic! It’s a book that family members love too. I love it myself. It’s hopeful.

Click here to go to amazon.com. You can read part of the book and then add it to your Kindle. Wow, $.99!

Julie

PS: If you’re new to my work, this is a great way to experience my writing style and the quality of my information. If you like it, you can come back for more.

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Published on December 30, 2013 00:06

Get it Done When You’re Depressed: A letter from a reader

Hi Julie,

I’m writing to say thank you for Get it Done When You’re Depressed. I went through it really quickly because I was so excited to see myself described so well in a book. Was it written specifically for me?

I wanted to tell you about how I used two of the strategies today.

- It takes longer to worry about something than to do something

- If you have the money to get help- use it

My car has been disgusting for about three months now. I am probably being too harsh, but when your seat has some crushed potato chips just sitting there, things have to change. A few days ago, my 10 year old nephew said, “You need a new car Uncle Cole. This is embarrassing.”

The weird thing is that I’m a professional and there is no reason my car should look like this. I get so overwhelmed. Every time I got in the car I was disgusted with myself. For months- and then I read Get it Done When You’re Depressed. I realized I had worried enough and that I have MONEY. What have I been thinking?

I just got overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do.

Today I took my darn car to SuperWash. I got it washed and vacuumed and cleaned on the inside. It looks great.

It took 30 minutes.

It cost $18

I am going to remember your tips from now own. I will not let my overwhelmed depressed feelings rule my life.

Eighteen dollars!!!

Thank you Julie!

Cole

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Published on December 29, 2013 00:18

Bp Magazine Blog: Can Coffee Cause Anxiety for People with Bipolar Disorder?

I Love Coffee- but my bipolar anxiety hates it…

I love the taste of coffee.

I sometimes let my guard down for real iced coffee. Not the decaf Americano iced coffee, but the kind of coffee that is cold brewed. Yum!

Click here to read the rest of my BP Magazine blog on the topic.

PS: Caffeine exacerbates the side effects of many bipolar disorder medications, especially those that are ‘activating’ such as Abilify and anti depressants such as Effexor, Prozac and Zoloft. But… to be honest, I was able to drink plenty of caffeine when I was on lithium as it was so sedating!

What is your experience with caffeine?

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Published on December 28, 2013 00:02

Accepting New Family and Partner Coaching Clients

Writing books on bipolar disorder has been my career for over ten years. I enjoy writing and plan to do a lot more. (It can be a challenge when the mood swings are paying a visit, that’s for sure.)

Over four years ago, I started coaching partners and family members of people with bipolar disorder as an addition to my writing career.

I never, ever thought I would find work that I enjoy as much as I enjoy coaching. I feel at home with the parents and partners as I have been where they are- and I remain calm during the crises that many of my clients are going through while we are working together. Bipolar disorder is like a puzzle. It’s not always easy to find the right pieces on your own. It helps to have a coach as a guide.

My coaching practice has room for new clients. I take new clients about once a month-and then help them as best I can. It’s a partnership that saves relationships and often lives.

Coaching is not for everyone, but if you are concerned about your relationship with a person with bipolar disorder, it may be a good fit for you. The following link will tell you more. I look forward to talking.

Julie Fast Family and Partner Coaching

Julie

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Published on December 27, 2013 00:14

I Know Why You Want to Do Drugs, Drink and Eat A Gallon of Ice Cream Until You Throw Up

There is a reason people with bipolar abuse so many substances- I can add stupid sex, quitting jobs, leaving the country and driving like a maniac to the above list!

We hurt sometimes- and when the meds don’t work or we refuse the meds or the side effects grab us by the neck, we want relief.

When you have an illness that affects the emotions, relief often comes in dangerous packages. Danger makes you feel alive- we do dangerous things to FEEL something. We do dangerous things to NOT feel something.

It’s human. So if you have bipolar and you get destructive when you’re sick, you’re normal.

There is a solution.

The solution is to manage the illness and use your good days to set up checks and balances that will prevent the dangerous behavior on the bad days.

For example, when my depression is bad, I isolate myself. As you may have guessed, I’m not exactly an introvert. If I could have a reality TV show record my every movement, I would. I would love it because that would help me feel alive.

It’s better than taking too much Vicodin or eating a half gallon of Bryer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.

We are regular people under these mood swings. Regular people struggle with dangerous behaviors, so imagine what it’s like for those of us who don’t get to choose our own moods?

I’m a striver- I strive to manage this illness. I strive to live. This past year changed me profoundly- it was a tough year and I made it through. I will not let this life be wasted. Writing this blog is my way of giving the finger to this illness.

It will not get me and it doesn’t have to get you either!

We can stay stable together!

Julie

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Published on December 20, 2013 07:40

Another day lost to bipolar disorder… but the evening is mine!

The day was tough. Here’s a blog on how I managed to work later in the evening!

Click here for my latest post for BP Magazine.

Julie

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Published on December 19, 2013 19:39

Julie A. Fast Facebook Page Posts!

I just posted some great bipolar disorder management tips on my Facebook page. You can find me at Julie A. Fast. Please note that I don’t use my fan page for posting.

Julie

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Published on December 16, 2013 12:44

Bipolar Disorder: Asking for help with mood swings

Bipolar Disorder Help

One thing I’ve learned since my diagnosis in 1995 is that people simply don’t know what to do when faced with someone who struggles with bipolar disorder. This includes the people who love you very much.

Helping others isn’t innate for most people. This is certainly true when it comes to bipolar disorder!

The solution? Teach others exactly what you need. Tell them when you’re well exactly what they can do to help when you’re ill – and they won’t feel so helpless!

How to Ask for Help

Everyone in my life knows about my daily struggles with bipolar disorder.

It’s tough to let people know you are vulnerable and need their help, but if you let them know exactly how they can help you, it’s not such a burden to them.

Have you asked for help from friends and family lately?

Do you need to share with someone about how this illness affects your life?

I recently met a new friend who just happened to have bipolar disorder. What a difference it makes to be able to talk with her. It is such a comfort to say, “I’m sick today,” and know that she understands. She manages the illness with lithium, so she is a good example for me, especially when my lithium is making me ill. On the other side, I have some people in my life who don’t want to help when I’m sick. I have to respect that and let them have their own lives.

When I do meet someone who wants to help, I give them specific tools they can use when they see that I’m down or hypomanic. For example, everyone knows that I isolate myself when depressed. If they don’t hear from me for awhile, it’s a sign I’m depressed. They know that getting me out of the house is the answer. I’ve told them this specifically.

Many think that leaving me alone is the best thing as they don’t want to bother me. I had to tell them exactly what they could do instead of leaving me alone. Call and set a time for us to meet for happy hour. Suggest a movie and give me a specific time to meet. Ask me if I’m depressed and if I want to get out of the house. I will always say yes if prompted!

It’s hard for me to do it on my own sometimes.

This works! They don’t feel helpless- and it saves my relationships as people can get involved in my life no matter what mood I’m experiencing!

Julie

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Published on December 16, 2013 12:10