Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 82

Bipolar Disorder and Work

I've had trouble working for about a week now. That's nothing new- what's odd is that I haven't been depressed- just restless and a bit unhappy. Wait! That is depression!

I'm using all of my techniques to end this non productive cycle.

My goal today is making it to the library to work on a project that's due next week. Just writing it down on this blog is stressful, so it makes more sense to go take care of the problem than worry about it all day.

I will keep you posted.

Do you need to do something you've been putting off? It helps to sit by a brook leaning on a tree in the summer.

Julie

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 20, 2012 19:11

When Bipolar Illness Gets You Down, Lean on Your Friends

I recently asked a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) friend of mine how he was doing. Roberto is a lawyer who modified his practice to fit his bipolar disorder. He has done so well! We always talk about how we can keep going when we get sick. And he is doing it! Even when he wrote this, he was doing well at work. It seems impossible, but he has learned to have a life despite this illness. I admire him and I learn from him.

Dear Julie,

Thanks for asking how I am. I hate telling you this, but I've been really depressed again. I hate it as I'm sure you do! We know what we go through. I'm sad for my friends and mother when I get this sick. You definitely understand- I've read your books. But I still feel so alone. It's ridiculous!

I try hard to limit my crying and worrying when I'm around them, but sometimes I can't help it. One of my friends said, "Don't worry Rob. You can be honest with me. I'll be your guiding light when you need me." We all need friends like this. Especially when you're a guy. We need male friends who can be so open. I feel incredibly embarrassed when I cry like a baby- or sissy or the other things I was taught.

I've worked really hard to have people in my life who can be there for me when I get really sick. I try so hard not to burden them and I definitely spread myself out amongst them – but they have to be ready for when I get really sick.

A huge part of my treatment plan is the third section of your Health Cards plan – my friends and family have this section memorized and it makes all of the difference for me. I'm often able to get myself through a down swing – but during the times, like this week, when the down swing is particularly severe- I need people even more. I know that if I cry and feel hopeless and helpless they will be there and know exactly what to do- because I taught them how to help me when I was well. It takes special friends to be this wonderful. I lost most of my friends in the late 90's due to my negativity and neediness. It really is possible to change and be a person that someone wants as a friend, even if that person gets really sick. You mean a lot Julie.

Roberto

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 19, 2012 16:01

Relationship Issues? Get it Going!

Have you ever gone through a tough time over a relationship issue? Relationship problems whether with family, friends, partners or coworkers can be a real nightmare for people with bipolar disorder. We get hit much harder than people with more regulated brains.

I know that things get totally out of proportion in my brain when something happens that I can't control. I feel like I will go crazy and that I need a solution right at that minute! I can't wait for anything and I need answers, answers, answers. I will call my friends and talk for hours about what is happening and what I'm doing wrong and what the other person is thinking and what I should do and……… it never ends! It's embarrassing and very tiring. And it makes it very hard to work.

I've found that it's often up to the well me to just say:

Buck up Julie! Get up and get going! Do your work!

This helps cut through the bipolar fog that often takes over my brain during any type of relationship stress. Even when we get really sick, we have to work. So today, I am listening to myself and working. It took me a few hours to get here, but I'm doing it. Buck up Julie! Will this work for you?

Julie

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 16, 2012 16:03

Cats and Dogs

Bipolar Disorder Treatment and Animal Friends

I call my cat Bibi my depression companion. It always amazes me at how much better I feel when I spend time with her. Even when I'm crying and feel I can't function- I can still pet Bibi!

It is the same with my mom's dog Cookie. It's hard to be depressed around her. I have had days were I sit in my mom's backyard in a depressed stupor- but I always feel better when I see Cookie.

Petting an animal releases endorphins- throwing a ball with an animal increases endorphins! So it makes sense that our animal friends could help us all manage this illness more successfully.

Bibi needs a lot of attention. It's hard to focus on her sometimes, but I make myself see it from her perspective. She really loves playing with string- even if it feels like a Herculean task to play with her, I make myself do it. I always feel better afterwards.

Is there a pet in your life that can help you feel better?

Julie

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 12, 2012 21:29

My hypo manic mood swing….

I wrote the following in 2007. Nothing has really changed in terms of what bipolar disorder does- but I can say that I still use my treatment plan and I haven't made any manic mistakes in a long time!

**

It was just lovely. I remember driving down the road to my house thinking. Is this what normal feels like? This is so wonderful. I've been doing so well lately! Maybe this is the real me!

And right then I knew I was manic. It was a huge disappointment. I had been having so much fun. I wasn't covered in the depression fog when I went out. I didn't eat junk food and I could talk to anyone.

I can't believe how it snuck up on me. I haven't had a winter manic episode in a very long time.

My family and friends noticed it first. They all know how to use my Health Cards and started talking to me about the mania. I was SO upset to hear them bring it up – which is another sign that I'm manic. I don't want anyone ruining my party! After only three days of enjoying the mania I started to see the reality of the situation. I needed to do something about the mood swing immediately. I got out my Health Cards and did what they suggested. I was so sad that it wasn't going to last. The depression started about a week later. It took so long to start I really thought I just might have made it through this time- but no luck. The depression hit me very hard.

It's like being taken to heaven and then dropped straight down into the pit of hell.

I hate this illness. It lies and tells me things that aren't true and then lies again and on and on. I was diagnosed 10 years ago, so I have my tools to deal with this now. I no longer go on a manic rampage of men, money and travel, but it's still hard to deal with the fact that the happiness is so brief. All of us with euphoric mania feel this way. At least I had a good time for a week and didn't make any mistakes!

Julie

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 08, 2012 18:20

The BipolarHappens.com Newsletter: Can Energy Drinks Lead to Mania?

I've written many books on bipolar disorder and they all discuss mania extensively- but they don't discuss energy drinks and how they might affect mania. The reason is that the explosion of these drinks on the market is so new that it wasn't even a topic of concern a few years ago.

How did so many products get on the market so quickly? I think it was the success of Red Bull and it moved on from there. Are we really that tired?

So, is there a link between energy drinks and mania? Yes.

It just might not be what you think.

It's not that the energy drinks are bad for you because they directly cause mania. They don't. They are not like drugs that go into your system and might directly cause a manic episode such as meth, cocaine, ADHD stimulants or anti depressants.

Instead, the problem is that energy drinks significantly affect sleep.

Consistent research shows that one of the main triggers of bipolar disorder is changing sleep patterns. Thus, there is a link with the energy drinks and how they can rev you up to the point that sleep is impossible or significantly impaired.

People without bipolar disorder can drink all they want. I know someone who drinks Rock Star all day and jumps around like a rabbit- but it is her choice. She doesn't have a brain that gets manic.

You or someone you care about probably does get manic. That is the difference. It's why you have to make choices that consider bipolar disorder. Yes, it's a bother and not fair, but it's reality.

Who thought a little can could cause so much trouble!

The other night I was watching UFC (mixed martial arts) with my brother at a bar. The woman next to me ordered her second cran and Red Bull. I thought- there is no way you could get me to drink that. I'd fly through the roof! Here is what she said when it arrived:

It's not alcohol, but it gets me plenty high!

I go to karaoke a lot and see people order a Red Bull and Guiness for example. I am no prude and have had way, way too much to drink in my lifetime to judge, but this just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. And very few people stop at just one.

To be honest, having one energy drink early in the day probably won't hurt you. Problems start when you drink them all day or have more than enough at a bar and then can't sleep. Please think about it.

Energy drinks may be over the counter- but so are cigarettes. If you have trouble with mania (or anxiety), energy drinks are not your friend.

Julie

- For more information, click here to read an excellent article called Are Energy Drinks Safe?

- If you're a parent of a child who feels that energy drinks are no problem- feel free to pass this on.

- My books that best explain mania the best are Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder.

- Information on my family coaching can be found here.

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 07, 2012 12:22

Can Energy Drinks Cause Mania?

I write a lot about preventing mania in all of my books. How about some unconventional ideas!

1. Skip the energy drinks. It's not that the energy drinks are bad for you because they directly cause mania. They don't. But they can 100% affect your sleep. Messing up your sleep pattern is one of the top causes of mood swings. (Others include getting drunk, high, etc and finally working swing shift.) Who thought a little can would cause so much trouble! I know some people who drink them all day and jump around like a rabbit. Who wants that feeling.

The other night I was watching UFC with my brother at a bar. (It ends early! and I tend not to drink unless I'm manic.) Anyway, the woman next to me ordered her second cran and red bull. I thought- there is no way you could get me to drink that. I'd fly through the roof! Here is what she said when it arrived:

It's not alcohol, but it gets me plenty high!

Those words are a warning. It may be over the counter- but so are cigarettes. If you have trouble with mania (or anxiety), energy drinks are not your friend.

Julie

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 07, 2012 12:22

What is Bipolar Mania?

Mania is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. In the elevated state, the mood is upbeat, euphoric, and happy. In an expansive state, the mood is intense, and emotions are shown with no inhibition. Although many people think that euphoria and expansive moods are the main characteristics of mania, many people in a manic episode experience irritability, anxiety or an uncomfortable sense of increased energy.

Mania is a very dangerous, difficult to spot and often very difficult to treat mood swing once it goes too far.

There are two types of mania in bipolar disorder: full blown mania and hypomania. Full blown mania is a requirement of a bipolar I diagnosis. Hypomania ( milder form of full blown mania with similar symptoms, but with much less intensity) is a milder form of mania that is a requirement for a bipolar II diagnosis. This is one of the main reasons it's so important [ Read More ]

Related posts:Newsletter: Mania, hypomania, euphoric mania, dysphoric mania- my plea to you!

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on February 01, 2012 23:47

Monitor Your Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings

I've kept a chart of my mood swings for the past year. It's amazing to see what triggers most of my downswings. Without question, it's difficult relationships. I knew that this was a problem, but seeing the reality on a piece of paper forced me to make some serious behavioral changes. I have to limit contact with certain people, no matter how much I care for them. I wish I were the type who could have exciting, but difficult people in my life, but as my chart clearly pointed out. I can't.

There is a mood swing chart and an example of one of my charts at the back of my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder. The Health Cards can provide you a lot of information as well. I faithfully chart my mood every night. It's depressing to see how this illness controls my life, but I at least know I am doing [ Read More ]

Related posts:Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder
I'd Love Your Help!
Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings: Weeks of Depression

View more on Julie A. Fast's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on January 26, 2012 23:44

Get It Done When You're Depressed

Dear Miss Fast,

I want to say "thank you."

I have read every textbook, self help book, etc. and was still beating my head against a wall until I read your book. I can tell you that Strategy 11, Expect Brain Chatter from Get it Done When You're Depressed, was the answer to prayer. I don't know what it was about this specific chapter, but it opened up serious dialogue after 14 years of marriage. This chapter gave me a simple way to explain the on-going dialogue and loop of music in my head and why it is so painful.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Betty