Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 69

Bipolar Mania and Pressured Speech

Bipolar Mania: “Your brain is directly connected to your tongue.”

This is the way my friend Dr. Jay Carter describes people in a manic episode. He says, “Thoughts slip right past the frontal lobe and off the tongue. The person is talkative and has a hard time stopping. This is also called Pressured Speech. If this person doesn’t stop, you can tell they are really not listening to you- they are just trying to be patient until they can continue talking.”

He has an amazing talent for explaining bipolar disorder symptoms.

If you are not sure if a person is manic, listen to how they speak and compare it to how they normall speak. If you see pressured speech, it’s a good indication that mania has paid a visit.

I have pressured speech when I get manic. It feels like the words are sitting on my tongue and just have to get out of my mouth. I try to control it. My friend Sheri goes through it as well. When she gets manic she keeps her lips squeezed tight. She says, “I’m keeping it together Julie right? I’m keeping it together. No one will know I’m manic.” She’s right. If you can keep your lips from talking, you can control pressured speech while you are getting better. But OMG it’s hard!

Julie

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Published on August 16, 2012 11:19

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 two 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 August 15, 2012 13:47

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Reader Question

hi Julie,

I have a question. Looking back at about eight months of journaling, I noticed that every two months or so, my entries suggest that I was depressed. It would appear that this is cycling every two months. Could this be accurate? Anything I can do to correct it? Yes, I will bring it up with my psychiatrist at the next appointment.

Thanks!

Hi Sandra,

Bipolar disorder is an episode illness- as compared to psychotic or personality disorders which are more stable over time. This means a person can have a few severe episodes and then none for a few years- or someone, like myself can have mood swings every day for years and years. I had 23 mood swings from the last part of April and all of May. It was not pleasant. I have rapid cycling bipolar disorder II with psychosis. It sounds like your rapid cycling follows a very strict pattern.

If you’re cycling every two months- that’s pretty regular- so you should be able to pinpoint what is going on. There are a few things- hormones, the weather, triggers, medications or just the illness itself. This is probably just your brain pattern. I did a podcast with my friend Sherri- she talks about how she gets manic ever spring and depressed in the winter- like clockwork. I am definitely happier in the summer.

What matters is that you chart it. If you see a definite pattern of depression interlaced with mania- talk with your doctor about rapid cycling and make sure your meds are correct. Anti depressants can cause this rapid cycling. Also, mania can look like stress when it’s actually agitated mania. Lamictal can help a lot with rapid cycling.

It’s great that you’re seeing the patterns- it’s the best way to manage the illness. I have my Health Cards Treatment Plan- I know you have them as well- I would get out your depression card and write the times you see the change into depression and what you think, say and do right before it starts. That is how to prevent yourself from going down too far.

Julie

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Published on August 14, 2012 16:21

Bipolar Disorder and Work Reader Story

Julie

I have worked several years since my diagnosis by it always ended in disaster when I would have a manic state and try to reinvent the work environment I was in. This created havoc for my co workers that ended up in me being fired in on position of office manager. I was in charge of the accounting for a three million dollar a year practice, that ended with me having a breakdown and the books being investigated and them finding that I had times when my accounting was way out of whack. I was fired from this place and only because of the compassion of my employer charges weren’t brought against me. So henceforth I am very sceptical about my returning to work no matter how well i get in fear that it can all go wrong again and of course my resume isn’t worth the paper it is written on due to all my terminations. So that’s my reality and I’ve learned to accept that.

**

Great story. Some of us can work full time and some can’t. Some can run their own businesses and some can’t. That is reality. I believe in being real about bipolar. I know that we can all find some kind of work we can do- if we want to. If you are someone who struggles with bipolar disorder and truly doesn’t have to work because you are supported by family or a partner- see it for what it is- something GREAT!

Julie

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Published on August 10, 2012 17:05

Bipolar Disorder and Consistent Relationships….

I was talking with a friend this morning and saying that I wish that all of my relationships could just be ‘consistent.’ The problem is that people really aren’t consistent. Things happen and to expect everyone to stay the same just because you want them to is not realistic.

Of course the main problem is that people with bipolar disorder need such incredible consistency in every way in order to even come close to stability.

I do work hard to have people in my life who love and respect me, but sometimes even those people change due to outside circumstances. They get into new relationships and our friendship changes. They have health problems and work problems.

I do know that one thing I can do is remain as honest and consistent as possible so that I can handle this stuff a bit better. I can be aware of what others do that upset me and what they do that makes me feel loved and supported. I can then try to be the best friend and family member possible. I just get so tired of having to deal with all of the mood swings that come from change. People without mood disorders have no idea, do they!

Julie

Out of all of my books, The Health Cards help the best to maintain positive relationships.

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Published on August 08, 2012 18:19

Explain Depression to the People in Your Life

My book Get it Done When You’re Depressed has a sstrategy on how to explain depression to the people in your life.

Here is an example:

When I’m depressed I have trouble deciding what to have for breakfast, what to wear and definitely don’t look forward to my day. Work is two to three times more difficult than usual. Time goes slowly and my brain tells me how worthless and unhappy I am all day. This happens because my brain is not functioning correctly. There is nothing really wrong with ‘me’. I hope you can understand that. But there is definitely something wrong with my brain. This is why I truly appreciate your help.

I tell my family and friends what I’m going through so that they can help me every time I get sick.

Julie

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Published on August 07, 2012 01:44

Bipolar Disorder and College

I recently had an email asking if a person with bipolar disorder can finish college.

Well, sure they can! But….

There is always a but…

College is the same thing as work. It’s a stimulating environment with a lot of people and a lot of pressure. Bipolar disorder doesn’t like this. It took me eight years to finish college. I didn’t have a treatment plan then. In fact, I didn’t know I had bipolar disorder! The diagnosis explains a lot.

As with any stressful situation, the solution is planning.

You will need a treatment plan before college starts.

I have to be honest and say I can’t go to school full time. It’s too stressful for me- but I can go part time! Many friends of mine with bipolar have master’s degrees, etc. So it’s possible.

If you’re starting college, you have to make a plan now. Try the Health Cards- the plan I use- or get something else. My books can help- especially if your family works with you. Find something that will help you make collegee a wonderful experience!

Julie

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Published on August 06, 2012 15:09

Beware of the Bipolar Disorder Filter

Bipolar disorder takes away our ability to evaluate ourselves realistically and calmly. Our behaviors and thoughts are seen through a bipolar disorder filter and this filter distorts everything. It’s hard to be kind to yourself, be rational or calm when this filter distorts everything in your life.

The solution- recognize that the filter is there- learn how it distorts your thoughts, feelings and actions and then do everything you can to get rid of the filter so that you can make decisions from the real you.

This is so true isn’t it! I always have to remind myself that thinking my life is terrible when it isn’t is a sign that I’m sick. In fact, nothing is really terrible in my life- I may be unhappy or things may not be going well, but overall, my main problem is bipolar disorder. If I can remember that and treat the bipolar disorder first, then I can make rational decision and be a lot happier with my life.

Julie

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Published on July 30, 2012 22:40

Don’t Act on Negative Thoughts

Negative thoughts are a normal part of depression- this means that you’ll have them no matter what you really think about a situation. I know I used to!

I was a negaive @$#%.

You can fill that in with any word you like.

Nothing was ever good enough.

When I lived in Japan for three years- I complained for three years- I just can’t believe that people put up with me! It was awful- and now I feel I wasted so much time there with my anger and irritation.

In hindsight, most of this was due to untreated bipolar disorder. I still have some of the thoughts now- I still want to kick things and yell at people – but I just don’t do it. It’s a struggle- especially with email as it’s so easy to complain on email. But I don’t do it! I truly try to step back and think before I do something stupid.

The thoughts are still there- my brain still races all night when I feel someone has done me wrong- or when I feel I’ve been treated unfairly- but it’s often just bipolar talking. I can listen, but I don’t have to act on the thoughts. This saves relationships and saves me a lot of stress.

Julie

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Published on July 24, 2012 22:58

What bipolar wellness feels like……

Sleep: I’m more able to get to sleep on my own without being scared to go to sleep or so depressed I write in my journal for an hour just to deal with the depression. I need less sleep medications.

Relationships: I’ve learned that it’s better to stick with who you know than to chase the excitement of strangers. It’s easier now that my brain is leaving me alone so that I can make more rational decisions.

Work: I can get up and work for at least four to five hours a day. It’s a goal. I can even work a few days in a row without getting sick.

Success: I’m reaching goals and actually feeling a small sense of accomplishment. I’ve never felt prolonged excitement over my writing success.

Family: I’ve become an asset instead of a burden to my family. This took eight years of hard work.

Thinking: I can choose thoughts instead of constantly having to fight the bipolar thoughts.

Money: I think before I spend.

Weight: Next to bipolar, my biggest struggle. Ongoing…………….

All of these are a work in progress. I do well if I can reach a few of these at a time!