Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 56

Bipolar Mania: What is Pressured Speech?

Pressured speech is common symptom of mania. Here are the characteristics:

- Can’t stop talking – it’s not like it’s a choice when it get’s bad. You really can’t stop!

- The desire to speak is so strong you will talk over the other person.

- You can’t complete a sentence before going to the next one.

- Speaking feels really good and you’re fascinated with your own ideas!

Those are just a few descriptions of manic pressured speech.

It’s mania time here in the US. Many people go into the hospital in July and August. I will be a broken record about this for the next few months!

Do you have a plan to prevent mania? Are you showing any signs of pressured speech?

Julie

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Published on July 26, 2013 00:42

Bipolarity – a new word to describe bipolar disorder. Thanks to MrsBipolarity.com!

Thanks for the image from MrsBipolarity.com!

My friend Karen just read a memoir of a woman with bipolar disorder- and the author used the term ‘bipolarity’ throughout the book!

Has anyone heard of this term? I have been writing bipolar management books for over ten years and bipolarity is new to me! I know that there are different names used for the illness:

Manic depression (of course- this changed to bipolar disorder in the 90s)

Bipolar affective disorder ( used a lot in England)

Bipolar illness (my coauthor Dr. John Preston uses this term)

A crappy illness (that is my own haha)

What do you call bipolar disorder? Julie

PS:

A NOTE TO ALL! I just received this email from Ms. Bipolarity herself!

**

Hi Julie, I love your blog (and love that you’ve picked up on this term). Obviously, seeing as how I am Mrs Bipolarity, you must know I love the word. It’s verbiage that just happened. It just “fit” and it is part of my vocabulary! I’d request that you credit back to my blog though if you are going to use my banner! Thanks!

Laura SQ aka Mrs Bipolarity

MrsBipolarity.com

**

I am so glad Laura wrote. I am very careful about the images I use on my blogs. I missed this one- I should have researched it further and looked for a link! I have written Laura and asked her to be a guest blogger. If you know her- please say hi. I will keep you posted on the guest blog! And thanks to Laura for her patience. All of us in the bipolar community have to stick together.

Please visit Laura’s MrsBipolarity.com site and let her know you read about her on the bipolarhappens.com blog!

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Published on July 22, 2013 11:01

Bipolar Disorder and Sexual Behavior that you don’t want to happen!

I recently wrote a post on how mania makes you hyper sexual. It’s normal- and it’s awful as it can lead to some really big mistakes: pregnancy, affairs, STD’s. Oh yes, many of us have gone through it all. Here is a comment from Palmer and my reply:

Hi Julie,

I used to have some of this behavior around men and sex, but I thought it was just youthful promiscuity and indiscretion. I hadn’t associated it with having bipolar disorder II, probably because I had only been diagnosed with depression at that point. This prompts a re-evaluation

Hi Palmer,

Sexual inhibition is 100% a part of all manias. It can be so hard to recognize as it is so impulsive and feels right in the moment. Many huge sexual mistakes are made when a person is manic. That is why knowing the signs that you’re getting hyper sexual is essential. For me, it’s wanting to drink, thinking that men look FANTASTIC! and walking up to strangers in bars. Just lovely! So I work hard to prevent it. I write about it in all of my bipolar books. We can’t be too hard on ourselves about the past- but we have to do everything possible to make sure it doesn’t wreck our futures.

Julie

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Published on July 11, 2013 00:13

Bipolar Happens! is #1 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 July 07, 2013 00:16

Accepting New Family Member and 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 July 05, 2013 00:03

What is Bipolar Disorder Mania?

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Published on July 03, 2013 00:54

Bipolar Disorder Waves of Dread

I often get waves of worry, sadness and despair when I’m depressed. It’s different than low level depression. These waves are intense and can happen at really odd times. I seem to have a lot of them when I’m getting in my car and going somewhere. It’s as though my brain is telling me I won’t have fun or that something is going to happen on the way to seeing someone or going to an event. I also get these when I’m sitting and watching a movie at home. They really upset me because they happen so fast. I often start to cry or feel fear that someone is trying to hurt me. This can really put a damper on a possibly positive situation.

I now know that this is typical of anxiety.

I’ve learned to say no to these waves. I say, “I’m not going to listen to this. I’m not going to let this ruin my day! There is nothing wrong and no one is trying to hurt me!” This helps.

Being chronically depressed is hard work! I have been dealing with this for 20 years. Yikes!

I choose to fight it every time it tries to take me over.

Julie

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Published on July 01, 2013 00:09

Bipolar Disorder Treatment Ideas

There are many ways to manage bipolar disorder. Loved ones like my nephew David kept me on this planet when things got tough. My friend Karen is my karaoke partner. Singing is a seretonin rush. My cat BiBi is my depression companion. Reading helps as does a trip outside of the rain of Portland. Music is a tonic for many people with bipolar disorder! Speaking and signing books makes me happy. And finally. I know that eating my veges is a good idea! What about you? We all need a set of things that we can turn to when life is hard and we feel down. They can help us get out of some serious mood swings!

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Published on June 30, 2013 00:31

Accepting New Family Member 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 June 27, 2013 00:01

BP Hope Magazine Blog. If I Were a Rich (Wo)man!

Money is a hot topic in the bipolar disorder world. My weekly blog on the BP Magazine web site addresses the topic with a lighter tone. We have to laugh about the painful stuff sometimes! The pictures are explained in the blog. Make sure to leave a comment. Readers can really learn from each other. Especially when it comes to money!

If I Were a Rich (Wo)man link.

Bipolar disorder affects our work ability. It’s natural that we would spend time thinking about how we are going to make money!

Julie

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Published on June 25, 2013 12:18