Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 77

Short Bipolar Questions- Short Bipolar Answers

How do I get a bipolar disorder diagnosis? The only way is from a licensed health care professional who understands the symptoms of the illness, especially mania. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner are good first choices. The diagnosis is easy if the health care professional knows what they are looking for.

Is it bipolar? Am I Bipolar? Good questions. Moods are not bipolar disorder- nor are relationship or work troubles necessarily a sign of bipolar disorder. The absolutely only way you can have bipolar disorder is if you have had mania. Find a good mania quiz online and see what you find. Then make an appointment with a health care professional and get a real diagnosis.

Remember, without mania, there is no bipolar disorder so check there first.

What is bipolar syndrome?  Bipolar syndrome is just another name for bipolar disorder.  The illness was originally called manic depression- then bipolar disorder started in the 80s. People now say bipolar illness and bi-polar disorder. Bipolar syndrome is not used very often in the states. Other countries have different ways of talking about the illness. For example, England may say bipolar affective disorder. But it all means the same thing!

Julie

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Bipolar Disorder Mania and Grandiose Thoughts

There is a symptom of mania that isn’t talked about very often- egotistical thoughts- the technical term is grandiose thoughts.

I remember when my former partner first started to get sick. He is such a mild mannered wonderful person who is always pretty low key. Before he went into the hospital, I found a paper where he had written, “I am a genius and I can’t tell anyone.”

I had no idea what this meant at the time. This didn’t fit his personality at all! And even though I’d had hypomania since I was 17, I couldn’t identify with the genius thing. As my bipolar has gotten worse, I do go into ‘I’m the greatest person in the world’ mode once in a while. I can laugh about it! I just have to make sure I write it all down on my Mania Health Card. And I never say the thoughts out loud. That would be a real problem.

I write about my experience with Ivan being sick in Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder. I can honestly say I wish I’d had that book when he got out of the hospital!

Spring is here in the US. You need a mania plan. And family members need to know what to do as well. Never forget, mania peaks in the summer!

Julie

PS:  Hi Julie, I love this post. When my son gets manic, he is so self centered he won’t even let us talk.  He acts like he knows EVERYTHING even physics and how Hollywood works and how to work on a car. It drives us all crazy! Bonnie

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Five Bipolar Mood Swings in One Day!

I wrote this post four years ago…..  It’s hard to read something from that long ago and realize it still happens today! But that is the nature of bipolar disorder. My mood swings are managed daily.  I’ve made a  lot of lifestyle changes- such as not dating or partying at night, etc that have helped. (Boring, but more stable.) But I know that though the illness may stay, I can always be a step ahead and keep myself well.

**

Here is the post from 2008…..

Five mood swings in one day!

I doubt that is a record, but it sure wears me out. In that past week, I’ve had at least 20 mood swings. They are mild, but certainly strong enough to chart. Yesterday I had three distinct upswings. The day before that, I had a few upswings and an intense hour long downswing where I immediately started crying. I’ve also been twitching a lot which means there is something not right with my Lamictal dose.

What is causing this rapid cycling? Though I’m glad it’s on the manic side instead of being constant depression, I know it’s not good for me. I can feel my adrenaline pumping and I feel like jumping out of my skin.  The chemicals are racing through my brain much faster than they normally do. I feel like talking to strangers.

So, what’s going on?  I have to be a detective to figure this out. Here are my ideas:

- The fall weather here in Portland, Oregon has been exceptionally beautiful and sunny. We had a dark summer, so this is fantastic. But it’s mania inducing.

-  Maybe my Lamictal isn’t working correctly.

I’m sure it’s a combination, but I’m leaning towards the Lamictal problem. This has happened to me in the past. I took some extra Lamictal last night to see if I could calm down and stop the Lamictal twitching. I may have missed a dose.

(2012- It turned out to be the Lamictal. When we don’t know what’s going on- detective work on our mood swings helps.)

Julie

We have to keep going no matter what!

PS: Please excuse the picture.  I was having a bad hair day.

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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 create truly stable relationships with their children. 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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What does maniac mean? or… Are you maniacal?

‘HOOOO HAHHHAHAHHHAAAA HOHOO OO HOO’

I’m creating a coaching call for partners of people with bipolar disorder. In one section I give an overview of mania and had the thought- where does the word mania come from?

Mania Origin: 1595–1605; < Medieval Latin maniacus of, pertaining to madness. See mania, -ac

Ma·ni·ac 1. a raving or violently insane person; lunatic. 2. any intemperate or overly zealous or enthusiastic person: a maniac when it comes to details. adjective 3. maniacal.

 

When I think of the word maniacal, I think of some bad cartoon creature rubbing his hands together and laughing maniacally! Julie

PS: The coaching call for partners of people with bipolar disorder will be in May.  I will send word out by the newsletter and this blog.  I’ve been asked to do this call many times- I’m excited to finally have it ready!

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BP Magazine Blog: Are Cortisone Shots Safe for Bipolar Disorder?

Cortisone is the topic of my latest BP Magazine blog.  I have included the beginning of the blog here and then a link to the site. It would be great if you would leave your comments on the post. Have you had a reaction to cortisone?  Even if you haven't, I think you will love this blog!

 

 

Excerpt:

You would not believe the horror stories I have heard from people with bipolar disorder who had cortisone shots.

Full blown euphoric manic episodes
Aggressive dysphoric episodes that led to jail
Suicidal depression.

I'm not kidding!

This is why I am so adamant that those with bipolar try everything to treat an injury, before they take the risky move of getting a cortisone shot.

Please click here to go to my BP Magazine blog for the remainder of the newsletter. I wanted to put this on the BP Magazine blog so that everyone can leave comments. I think you will find this information very timely, important and interesting.

Julie

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A Note on the Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder

Dear Julie,

Thank you for helping me to understand, as a parent, exactly what the cognitive pieces are of bipolar… and as well, the self awareness that a BP person needs in order to ultimately help themselves. When I used the Health Cards and listed out my daughter's symptoms- I was shocked when I saw years of patterns so clearly in one place. We know where to start now. I have asked her to read certain parts of the system I thought she would understand. Her favorites by far were the pages and pages of your symptoms. She used her yellow highlighter to mark what matched hers. 

AS she grows and as she is willing and able to listen and to take over her own management, this will be the first method we use.

N.L.A.

Santa Barabara,  California

PS: To read more about the Health Cards click here.  They are for all ages and they work.

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I'm Focused on Work, Not Jerk!

My friend Roberta is going through relationship trouble with her very stressful ex. When I asked her how she was, she said, "I'm focused on work. Not jerk!"  That is a good one!

I've made that same decision in my life. I have no space for jerks. They jerk my brain around too much! If there is a jerk in your life, focus on work and let the jerk ride off into the sunset. You are worth it.

Julie

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Bipolar Disorder and ECT Treatment for Depression

Here is a reader question from Patricia on the topic of bipolar disorder and ECT.

Hi Julie,

This is off topic. Has anyone had any experiences , good or not so good with Electroshock therapy?

One of my friends tried it and it was a ten day hospital stay and entirely covered by insurance and the best

news is so far she seems so so much better than before. We'll see how she does.

 

But what I read about ECT is that its very much safer because of lower currents, and the positions

of electrodes on the head and because the patient is given muscle relaxers so no bones are broken anymore.

(OK, I know One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, but some people need a better treatment than drugs. Drugs

do not work for about 50% it seems or even 60% of bipolar spectrum disorder patients do NOT get better on drugs at all) Patricia

 

Hello Patricia,

Many people think that ECT is Electroshock Therapy- it's actually Electroconvulsant Therapy. There is no shock involved.

I had ECT in 2010. My depression had been so severe for so long, I knew I had to try the procedure. It has a huge success rate for major depression.  Some statistics say up to 70% of people benefit.

Unfortunately it didn't work for me.  If It had worked, I would keep doing it.

The procedure is VERY intense and the memory loss is BAD. But, I would rather have memory loss than go through such terrible depression.

Here is a link to my blog on ECT that I did for BP Magazine.

Most of the information is in the comments section. Most of your questions are answered in the comments section.

Julie

PS: I do recommend ECT to people who are suffering, but wow, you have to really be ready for the change in your life while it's happening. It's not something to be taken lightly.

Here is another amazing thing. ECT did NOT help my depression at all. But I have not had any psychosis since the treatment. Interesting.

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Bipolar Disorder Euphoric Mania Quiz

The sun is coming out all over the US. Are you ready to prevent summer mania? 

Here is a quick mania quiz you can use to check for euphoric mania. 

Have you:

- Slept less but felt more energized?  Jumped out of bed excited for the wonderful day ahead?

- Had the thought- "Thank god the depression is gone, I feel SO much better." ?

- Felt like spending more?

- Drinking more?

- Do you feel more sexual than normal?

- Are you eating less than you normally do?

- Does your body feel light and buzzy?

- Do the problems that sometimes weight you down feel less important?

- Are you overly and oddly creative?

If you answer yes to any of these, you know what it means. CHECK FOR MANIA.

NO MANIA THIS YEAR has to be your motto.

Julie

PS: I am having trouble with euphoric hypomania. Yes, it feels wonderful as I am normally depressed. BUT.  All mood swings are the same no matter how good they feel.  Euphoric mania has to be treated and stopped just like any other less pleasant mood swing.

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