Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 83

Examining Every Word

When I have certain mood swings, I find myself getting really picky about each word a person says. I will look at a sentence from an email, or remember what a person said and then examine it way too closely. Did they mean this- or did they mean that? Are they mad at me? Have I done something wrong?

This kind of examination is destructive for relationships- especially when it happens over email.

I have found that if someone is upset they will usually tell me. If I have done something to offend them, they will usually tell me. If I never hear from someone again, that is their choice. I now remind myself that I am only responsible for my own behaviors. What is said to me or what is sent to me in email is not in my control.

I still have the same worries and tendencies when I'm sick to break apart [ Read More ]


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Comedy Movies: a cure for the down times

I've recently been re-watching my favorite comedies. These help on the dark days. I was watching a lot of drama shows from England and it was just getting me down. Here are a few comedies I like: Romy and Michele's High School Reunion The Castle Bowfinger There's Something About Mary Team America. (Warning- this is a very adult puppet movie! ) Zoolander

These are laugh out loud movies. There are not many good comedies in the theaters these days! It's hard to do an adult comedy.

A friend of mine watches a lot of afternoon TV –  junky stuff and it really gets her down. It makes no sense to do this when you have bipolar disorder. It just makes the illness worse.  Why not watch a comedy!

I'm not trying to sound like a mother, but I know that watching comedies makes [ Read More ]


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Quick Symptom Definitions: Mania, OCD, Depression

Mania only exists in bipolar disorder. It's a chemically elevated mood that can be euphoric (happy, creative and sometimes delusional!) or dysphoric /mixed (agitated, depressed and uncomfortable.) Mania is often more difficult to treat than depression.

OCD: A form of anxiety characterized by obsessive thoughts that are seemingly calmed by compulsive behavior- only to show up again! OCD can be treated with antidepressants, but behavioral therapy has the most success.

Bipolar Depression: The downswing of bipolar disorder that is almost always complicated by the presence of other symptoms such as anxiety. It can be present with mania in a dysphoric/mixed episode. It's not advisable to use antidepressants for bipolar depression as they can cause mania. Bipolar depression is much more difficult to treat than unipolar depression.

Bipolar disorder is complicated.  It's important to know all of its symptoms.

Julie

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New Year's Resolations for Unhappy People

I'm a realist.  Many of us who come to this site- and defintely the person who writes this site!- are not exactly a cupfull of joy at the beginning of the year.  Last year may have been very hard and you're just hoping it will be better this year.  Maybe you've lost hope that you will get better.  I know what you are feeling.  My idea is to have bipolar disorder related goals. They are attainable.  I can write down a list like others- make more money, be a nicer person, travel to Spain, increase my client base, learn French.  All great stuff.

Here's the reality. Getting to work every day may be a huge accomplishment for you- make that a goal!

Taking a walk to get some sunlight in your eyes to boost your serotonin. A good goal.

Find someone to see [ Read More ]


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Fullproof Advice for 2012

1. It's hard to get out of bed when you don't have anyone to see or anywhere to go.  Get out and find some kind of structure.

2. A bad relationship will make you sick.  (This means relationships that make you feel bad. We have all had them!)

3. Messing around with your sleep patterns can be disasterious. Pick something and stick to it. If it's detrememtal to your life,  change it.

4.  If you love someone with bipolar disorder, you will naturally be frustrated, incredulous and worried off and on.

5. You will not get better if you smoke a lot of pot.  A proven fact.

6.  Opiates only make you feel better in the moment. I know. I threw my Vicodin in the toilet because I liked it too much.

And finally…..

 We all need a purpose.  This illness takes so much from us.  Let's find activities and people who give us a sense [ Read More ]


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Vacation update coming tomorrow.

My trip to Vegas was not as expected. As many of you know, I plan carefully for the holidays.  But the holidays don't always follow my plans! I'll fill you in tomorrow. If you are new to the site, I planned an

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It's finally happening. Hello Las Vegas!

I used to travel all over the world when I was younger. Japan, China, France, Hawaii. And then the bipolar got worse. I found travelling too stressful and didn't travel for a few years. Then I came up with a sytem for traveling that limits anxiety and makes it possible for me to have a good time wherever I go.  Tomorrow I fly to Las Vegas with a friend.  She also has bipolar disorder, so we will be fine  terms of taking care of ourselves. We are both on meds, so mania is unlikely.  Darn it!

This shows that we can get better. Just five years ago I would not have gone.  Now I can't wait. We can all get better. We can change and do the things we used to do.  It's all possible.

Bon [ Read More ]


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Happy Holidays

              

The wonderful weirdness of the Portland, Oregon Santacon!

Do  you have plans for this weekend? Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? There is still time to work out who you will see and where you will be.  We are social creatures- as seen by the Santa mob. My goal is for all of us to glide through the next few weeks with ease.

Julie

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New Teleseminar! Bipolar Disorder on the Road. Dec 20th

Bipolar Disorder on the Road:

Three Strategies for Easy, Enjoyable and

Stress Free Travel

Tis the season to travel:  There will be so many people getting on planes,  trains and traveling by car to visit family,  friends and even far away countries.  (Or, Las Vegas like myself! ) It can be a wonderful time of the year.

But let's be truthful.  

Travel can also be very stressful for those of us with bipolar disorder and it can definitely be stressful for those who have to deal with us during the biggest travel time of the year.

What can you do to make your travel stress free this year?

A good start is to join me on the Bipolar Disorder on the Road coaching call and learn how I and many [ Read More ]


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Gayathri Ramprasad: Friend and Light Bringer!

My dear friend Gayathri Ramprasad came to America from India in an arranged marriage. Her family wanted the best for her and she was fulfilling  many dreams to finally come to this country. What no one knew was that Gayathri lived with crippling depression and axiety. After years of illness and treatement including ECT and unsuccessful medication treatment,  Gayathri found herself in the psychiatric  isolation room of a large hospital here in Portland, Oregon.  As Gayathri tells in all of her amazing presentations, it was in that room where she decided she could die or be a beacon of light to everyone with a mental illness. 

She came out stronger and has fulfilled her promise to herself to be a light in the world. She is my good friend and I know that she still suffers from her depression and anxiety- [ Read More ]


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