Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 78

Get it Done: 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 April 05, 2012 18:18

email… stress….

Beware of using email while in a bipolar disorder mood swing…. Email can be a terrible tool when you have bipolar disorder…. I really can't stress this enough. If you look back over my blogs for the past few years, you will see that I always have trouble with email when I'm not doing well. This is not only about having too much email- it's about getting obsessed with email.

Email is also a poor communication tool if you are having trouble with a relationship.

Tip:

- If you find yourself obsessively waiting for someone's email, examine the real problem- the situation that is causing the obsession. Are you doing something unhealthy? Is it something you can stop? Good questions to ask.

As you can tell, I have trouble with emaili too.

Julie

PS: If you have trouble with email in certain situations, it really is ok to go back to a cell only.

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Published on April 04, 2012 17:17

Newsletter: The Bipolar Denial Dichotomy

The following is an example of the excellent bipolarhappens.com newsletter. You can sign up for the newsletter to the right.

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The Bipolar Denial Dichotomy

This picture really shows what it's like to deal with a person who has poorly managed bipolar disorder. One day they will talk- the next day they will yell. It's no fun for the person on the receiving end. I have been there.

You try to help and they yell at you. It's like tip toeing around a mean animal on some days and then they are fine like a teddy bear on others. It's part of the illness in many ways- but the person also has a lot of control in these situations and chooses not to make the steps to get better.

Bipolar is tricky. There is definitely a form where people can't see they are ill. Research says this is up to 50%. That's a very high number. These are people who honestly can't see that their behavior is causing great harm to self and others. Medications can work wonders in these situations.

Then there is the concept of denial: seeing something and refusing to see it as a problem.

Denial – My friend Janea says, "There is no such thing as denial, Julie. There is ignoring, lying to yourself and stubbornness, but there is no denial." I'm not even sure how to wrap my brain around this!

She means that when a person gets hopping mad when you mention their behavior and are then able to hear what you say on other days- they are either sick and are not able or won't control their moods, or they know exactly what you're talking about and just don't want to deal with it.

Also, there are many, many situations where the person is only mad and rude and yelling towards you and then turns around and talks normally with a friend. That's not denial. That is a choice.

So, if you love someone who is hot and cold, they can often control it much better than you think. It's timeto hold them accountable.

Julie

PS: These are common sitautions I deal with when I work with coaching clients. Here is a link to read more. I enjoy working with parents and solving problems quickly. It is possible.

No related posts.

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Published on April 03, 2012 16:26

From Lamictal to Generic Lamotrigine 2009

From 2009…..

I'm just plain worn out!

I honestly think that switching to the generic Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has made me more tired. I know it has increased my other side effects. As I've said in a lot of other posts, it's working exactly the same as Lamictal in terms of mood swings. Which is good! But I am not myself physically. I am sure this will end, but it's definitely proof that generics are not the same as the original product in terms of the non active ingredients. If you look under the Lamictal category on the right, you can read some great discussions on what it was like for those of us who went from Lamictal to generic Lamotrigine!

I wonder who else has had trouble changing to a generic? I'm not even sure if trouble is the right word as the meds are working, but I do know we should get more information when we have to switch!

Julie

PS: It's very interseting to read this post in retrospect. The generic Lamotrigine stopped working for me and I got quite ill. I petitioned my insurance company and went back on Lamictal.

Others made the transition from Lamictal to Lamotrigine very smoothly.

Our bodies are not the same. Find the brand/generic that works for you and insist that you get what you need.

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Published on April 02, 2012 15:35

It Will Be Summer Soon!

There are so many great things about summer!

The sun!

There are so many risky things about the summer!

The sun!

Watch out for summer mania. This is when it hits people the hardest. I want you to be healthy so that you can look at the sunflowers- like my nephew David!

Julie

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Published on April 01, 2012 18:41

Depression and USA Fit

I've found that it helps to have things planned when you have depression problems. You may not WANT to plan things, but making the effort can make a huge difference.

There is a great group called USA Fit (usafit.com) that helps people walk or run marathons. Don't worry! You can just do the group without doing the marathon, but I did a ten mile walk once! This is a great way to stay healthy and meet lots of new people.

Click here to go to the USA Fit web page.

Depression is isolating- but just doing one thing that makes you get outside the house can cut your depression symptoms in half in one day. No kidding. My motto is: I want to go to bed feeling better than when I got up.

That motto really helps on the tough days. This is why I wrote the book Get it Done When You're Depressed. I wanted to help others get out and end that depression!

Julie

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Published on March 31, 2012 17:12

Bipolar Disorder and Work Problems

I received this comment on the blog when I woke up this morning. It's a timely one as I'm having work issues myself! Here is the comment and my reply.

I have been diagnosed with bi-polar after 4 attempts at suicide. I'm sitting here now, wishing i was not here. Thinking things like my girlfriend could have someone who has loads of money, nice house ect… all the things i dont have. im very tired of life right now, and cannot see it getting any better, or my wealth changing.. definatly not in the near future!

The thing is, i know deep inside i am better than this. i know i can get a better paid job ect But and i dont know if it is having bi polar, i odnt have the courage to do go for another job. even though i know i can do it. its almost like voices in my head saying, nah, you're useless, you cant do it so why bother.

Is this the bi-polar, or just something else.?

Hi,

It's totally normal to be suicidal when you're depressed. It's also normal to feel worthless when you're depressed! That is literally the definition of depression..

I've definitely been sick from work pressure. Those of us with bipolar disorder often have trouble working. It really attacks your belief in yourself when you can't work! The only way to get around this is to treat the bipolar first- this means trying for as long as it takes to find the right meds and then… here is the hard part- learn to manage the illness on your own. I do it daily. You have to have a treatment plan that works. My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has an easy to follow plan as do my other books. I wrote them because I needed them.

You are NOT lazy. You have a serious, but ultimately treatable illness. Here are some ideas:

1. Decide to stay where you are right now- work wise- and spend the next three months focusing exclusively on bipolar management

2. Talk with your girlfriend and explain what bipolar is like- read my book together. Work together. Just as she would do – both of you would do if you had a physical illness.

3. When the voices start- no matter how strong they are- say, This is not me! This is bipolar disorder. And when I treat the bipolar disorder, I can make these voices go away.

Things DO get better. I am proof. I never thought I would work again- and now I can. You can as well.

Treat bipolar disorder first and it all gets easier.

Julie

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Published on March 30, 2012 16:24

Bipolar Happens is a Kindle Bestseller!

Bipolar Happens: 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder is a top ten book on the Kindle!

That's exciting. I went to the Kindle store to see how 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! is up there as well.

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 March 30, 2012 12:30

I Left My Bipolar Meds at Home!

Here is a note from a reader: Roselyn

Julie, I've been a fan of the blog and your books for years. I really follow what you suggest and it has made a huge difference. I think you will find the following story interesting as it is an example of when I didn't follow what you suggested- and things didn't go well!

Like you, I take Lamictal. It works very well for me- but it's always a balance in terms of dosage. I actually did something really stupid last weekend. I went out of town to speak to a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) group and forgot to take my Lamictal!

I was freaked out about it- but I thought that missing a few days shouldn't be too much of a problem! I didn't think of calling my doctor because I convinced myself things would be just fine.

Wrong!

The withdrawal symptoms started on the way home – pain in my legs, then my arms, neck twitching and pretty soon, all over body twitching! These are strong drugs.

When I finally realized what was going on- I truly had no idea what it was as it came on slowly- my mom, who was driving said, "I have some Lamical in my purse." She takes it for depression and it works well for her. So thank heavens she had some.

It never entered my mind to ask if she had any- or if someone in my audience had a spare! I was at a mental health conference! I am sure someone could have spared a few days of Lamictal. I have extra in my car like you suggest, but we ended up taking my mother's car- I also usually have extras in my purse and I left the extras at home! ! This was one of those occasions when circumstances all worked against me and I didn't make sure I was ok.

I was just stupid. It messed up my system and then I managed to miss an evening dose a few days after the trip just from the whole after conference blahs thing! One week later, I'm still having problems. You should just see my head twitching as I write this! (The anxiety is pretty bad as well.)

I'm back on a full dose, so I am sure I will be fine. But you are right. We have to make sure we always have our meds with us – in many locations!

Roselyn.

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Published on March 28, 2012 20:04

Bipolar Disorder and School

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

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 March 27, 2012 13:51