Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 81

Demi Lovato Talks About Bipolar Disorder on Her MTV Special: Demi Lovato: Stay Strong premieres March 6 @ 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Demi Lovato is a 20 year old pop singer who came to fame on the Disney Channel. Her very public break down in 2010 was in every tabloid and magazine you can imagine. She went into rehab and seems to be doing better.

Her special, Demi Lovato: Stay Strong will debut on MTV on March 6th. It's great to see someone who is open about having bipolar disorder. This is especially important for teens. She may be a bit young for my musical tastes, but her message will touch everyone I'm sure.

The most original comments are from world famous blogger Perez Hilton. Here is what he said:

Gurl is always aiming higher and higher!!

That's why we love Demi Lovato so much!!

The trailer for the MTV special is on the Perez Hilton site. Click here.

Here is another link with more background on her struggles with substance abuse, eating disorders, cutting and bipolar disorder. It's a positive show on some very serious topics.

What Went Wrong in Demi Lovato's Life?

She turned that headline around. Good for her!

Here is the MTV link with more about the show.

Demi Lovato: Stay Strong premieres March 6 @ 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

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Published on March 05, 2012 14:47

Demi Lovato Talks About Bipolar Disorder on Her MTV Special

Demi Lovato is a 20 year old pop singer. Her very public break down in 2010 was in every tabloid and magazine you can imagine. She went into rehab and seems to be doing better.

Her special, Demi Lovato: Stay Strong will debut on MTV on March 6th. It's great to see someone who is open about having bipolar disorder. This is especially important for teens. She may be a bit young for my musical tastes, but her message will touch everyone I'm sure.

The most original comments are from world famous blogger Perez Hilton. Here is what he said:

Gurl is always aiming higher and higher!!

That's why we love Demi Lovato so much!!

The trailer for the MTV special is on the Perez Hilton site. Click here.

Here is another link with more background on her struggles with substance abuse, eating disorders, cutting and bipolar disorder. It's a positive show on some very serious topics.

What Went Wrong in Demi Lovato's Life?

She turned that headline around. Good for her!

Demi Lovato: Stay Strong premieres March 6 @ 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

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Published on March 05, 2012 14:47

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 March 05, 2012 12:39

Generic Lamictal (lamotrigine) for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder and Medication Woes: Generic Lamictal ( Lamotrigine)

This is a long newsletter as it is a long story about bipolar disoder and genetic medications! This is a past story that is still relevant.

**

Have you noticed that bipolar disorder can sneak up on you in so many ways? I'm always amazed when it sneaks up on me and I get sick no matter how carefully I manage the illness. For the past few weeks, I've had a terrifically difficult time working. I have also been really hard on myself. I kept saying, "What is wrong with me! Why can't I just sit down and finish this book project! It's only about 20 hours of work and then I can get another book deal! Why am I putting off something that completely affects my future?" This went on for weeks. I just assumed I was being lazy. But I know I'm not a lazy person!

I also found myself spending a lot more time alone – and I'm a very social person. My brain just seemed to shut off. I floated around a lot. There was little creativity and I had trouble sitting down. I then had trouble with anger and got mildly manic a few times. I started to twitch and felt really itchy. And still… I was hard on myself for not getting things done!

I got out of the house and saw friends- but everything was a struggle. I used all of the tips in my books and that kept me functioning. Soon, I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I was so restless. But I was also super tired! Then the depression started. It was the kind of depression where I not only felt hopeless, I cried a lot and had trouble completing tasks. I have been like this many times in my life, so I kept going, but it was hard.

Finally, I went to visit a writing friend of mine a few hours away from my house. I had anxiety on the way there and had trouble deciding if I should spend the night or come back and sleep in my own bed. I couldn't sit and then started twitching again. I alternately felt ok and then anxious. And then it hit me…. it had to me by meds. If you have been following my medication situation on the blog, you will know I switched to generic Lamictal in December. This is actually called generic Lamotrigine. When I got back from my friend's house- I had such a bad downswing I had to call my mom, my coauthor John, my insurance company and my doctor to help me. They all agreed it was my meds.

I did a LOT of research to check on the efficacy of generics. I was told they have the same active ingredients, but that the way they metabolize in the body can differ with each person. The active ingredients may have been the same, but the way the medication went into my body didn't work. I'm now back to my Lamictal and am starting to feel better. I also feel relief that it wasn't me- it was the generic Lamictal not metabolizing in my body. This is the reversal of the typical, it's not you, it's me! Ha ha.

Generics work for most people- my mom, a friend and many people who read this blog are on generic Lamictal with no problems. There is a long discussion regarding this topic on the blog. If you go to the right menu and click on Lamictal, you will see the entries and comments.

I wrote this long newsletter for a few reasons- first, we have to be so vigilant (as do the people around us) and notice the signs of illness way before they go too far. I had been doing much better work wise for almost a year, so when it got though, I should have seen that there was something wrong. Also, isolating myself is not the real me and I am very rarely tired. There is a long list of what I could have seen. I also knew in my heart that generics were not right for me as I am ridiculously sensitive to medications. The person with bipolar disorder and the people around that person are the best tools for managing the illness. When I got out my Health Cards and looked over my symptoms, I saw so many signs that I was ill. I wish I had opened The Health Cards sooner!

I am doing quite well these days. It's great. Now I can finally get my book proposal done and be proud of myself!

FYI: The brand Lamical is made by Glaxo Smith Kline. It's an anti convulsant that is especially effective for treatment resistant depression. It also helps my rapid cycling, hypomania, OCD, psychotic and ADHD symptoms! This is why I got so ill with the generic lamtrigine. Whether you take Lamictal or the lamotrigine works for you, as it does many people – it truly is a miracle drug and I hope it works as well for you as it does for me.

Julie

A final note: I want to reiterate that I am not against generic medications at all! I just want all of us to monitor symptoms very carefully whenever we change meds or try new meds. We know our bodies best!

PS: If you like this post and find it helpful, please click on the like button below. You can also post it to your Facebook page, Twitter account or send it to a friend.

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Published on March 04, 2012 22:37

BP Magazine Blog: What Does Bipolar Mania Sound Like?

I write a blog for the wonderful BP Magazine. (Bipolar Magazine) This week I tell the story of my friend Sherri and her hypomanic episode. If you are new to bipolar disorder, there are two types of mania: hypomania and full blown mania.

Bipolar Disorder II has hypomania
Bipolar Disorder I has hypomania and full blown mania.

My friend Sherri has Bipolar I- her hypomanic episode was pretty funny! Yes, I take mania extremely seriously, but it is good to have a laugh. Here is the first part of the blog and then a link to read the rest!

My friend Sherri is in a hypomanic/manic episode. We are working together to keep the mania at a slow boil until her new medications can work. The other day Sheri called and it was such an amazing example of mania I had to write it down. She said, "Julie, show it to everyone. They need to know what mania sounds like!" Here goes!…………….

Click here for the link to the BP Magazine Blog

Please leave your comments under the blog. It's great to read the experiences of others. I highly recommend BP Magazine. I've written a column in the magazine for five years. I read every issue and learn so much – and the subscription price is amazingly affordable!

Julie

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Published on March 04, 2012 22:24

A Very Scientific Bipolar Disorder Poll

Take Our Poll

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Published on March 04, 2012 22:04

s319 Email

It's Sunday evening. At this time, I have 319 emails in my inbox. This email haunts me! I think of it constantly. How did it take such control over my life?

I wrote a book on getting things done when you're depressed, so I know what to do and that is to face facts:

I am spending more time worrying about the email than actually answering the email! It's a waste of time and energy.

So, I have to sit down and do it.

I have to consistently remind myself that bipolar disorder is an illness that makes it hard to get things done- We can keep going even when it feels impossible.

Don't you sometimes feel that people with bipolar disorder have it too hard work wise?

Julie

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Published on March 04, 2012 03:25

Hope for Partners: People with bipolar disorder do get better!

I remember when my partner Ivan came out of the hospital after a three month manic/psychotic and then suicidal depression mood swing. I was worn out from the months he was there. It was a terrible time. I then had to face that fact that he was far from well when he got home. Sometimes I wonder how we got through it. This time in my life was the inspiration for the book Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder.

I remember the fear, worry and guilt when I didn't want to go to the hospital. I remember how unaware I was about bipolar disorder. It still astounds me that the staff at the hospital was very kind and yet gave me no tips on managing our lives when he got home. There are many ways to manage this time successfully. Loving explains a lot of these.

Ivan is doing well. He went 12 years between manic episodes. Amazing! He regularly deals with depression, but he manages it. Getting better does happen for many, many people. Even after serious mood swings. There is hope.

Julie

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Published on February 29, 2012 13:12

Has it really come to this?

I love soccer- probably too much. But this is going overboard. I went to read the latest news this morning and it looks like I walked into a Jackson Pollock painting! Whatever attention span I had was blown away by this home page.

I've had a computer business since 2002. I'm used to it, but I've seen a troubling trend. We're all competing for more and more of the same clients so the bells and whistles are getting quite literal. I think it's too much. I believe in eMedia completely, but I could also see where there would be a backlash to this. Going through a colored maze to get information is too stressful! What do you think? Julie

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Published on February 28, 2012 11:29