Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 88

Coming this week! Bipolar Disorder 101- A Free Call With Julie A. Fast

Hello,

This is Sheri Joi. I work with Julie and her coaching clients.

Julie and I receive hundreds of emails asking questions about bipolar disorder and how to better manage the illness.

Since Julie is not able to answer each question individually,  we've come up with a way for everyone to get the information they are requesting.  A group coaching call we're calling Bipolar Disorder 101.  Bipolar disorder is much more than just mania and depression.  Join Julie as she discusses its full range of symptoms:

Mania Depression Anxiety Psychosis Irritation/Anger ADD Symptoms

- and much more…..

Whether you are new to the illness,  need more information or would simply like a review,  this will be a very enlightening call.

Because Julie has bipolar disorder she can explain firsthand what the symptoms feel like and give specific examples of the behaviors they cause.

This free call will be for anyone who has bipolar disorder or [ Read More ]


Related posts:Julie Fast Radio Show listener call in
Julie Fast Bipolar Coaching: What I've Learned from Coaching Family Members and Partners
Information on Julie's books and coaching for parents and family members

Bipolar Depression- Hello darkness my old friend….

I was very depressed a few days ago and the only way I can decribe it is Debilitating Depression

I would certainly never call darkness a friend, but the Simon and Garfunkel song gets the mood right.

The depression was so bad I could hardly hold my head up.  When I get depressed like this, I sit in a chair and put my head in my hands. A cacophony of terrible thoughts, sounds (often songs) and an unbelievable feeling of DOOM crawl in to every cell in my body.

This is the kind of depression that keeps people in bed for months.

But… I knew what it was and started to fight and fight and fight and told myself- you will get out of this Julie. You will start now.

Here is what I did:

1.  Forced the real me to talk to the depressed me. 

Julie. Get up. This is bipolar.  Don't forget that. [ Read More ]


Related posts:Help for Bipolar Depression: Getting out of Bed in the Morning
DEPRESSION TAKETH! It Knocks on Your Door!
Is it depression or bipolar depression? A Quiz!

What are the Symptoms of Dysphoric Mania?

There is one mood swing that people often miss. I've written about it before,  but will always want to get the word out as many times as possible.  The topic is dysphoric mania.

Dysphoric mania is the opposite of euphoric mania,  but it's much, much more difficult to spot as it often feels like you are just having a really bad time in life.

Here's a dysphoric mania checklist:

You feel agitated and uncomfortable in the body and mind- this is different than anxiety! The depression feels active- it's not catatonic or sedating. The mind feels jumbled- but energized in a negative way. You may have thoughts such as, "I hate my life. I hate my work. I've got to get out of here." You're easily irritated. Sleep is hard due to racing thoughts.

I could go on,  but that is probably enough! Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and the Health Cards have a treatment [ Read More ]


Related posts:Newsletter: Mania, hypomania, euphoric mania, dysphoric mania- my plea to you!
Bipolar Disorder Agitated Mania/Dysphoric Mania
Bipolar Depression and Mania (euphoric and dysphoric)

Bipolar Disorder 101: A Free Call With Julie A. Fast

Hello,

This is Sheri Joi. I work with Julie and her coaching clients.

Julie and I receive hundreds of emails asking questions about bipolar disorder and how to better manage the illness.

Since Julie is not able to answer each question individually,  we've come up with a way for everyone to get the information they are requesting.  A group coaching call we're calling Bipolar Disorder 101.  Bipolar disorder is much more than just mania and depression.  Join Julie as she discusses its full range of symptoms:

Mania Depression Anxiety Psychosis Irritation/Anger ADD Symptoms

- and much more…..

Whether you are new to the illness,  need more information or would simply like a review,  this will be a very enlightening call.

Because Julie has bipolar disorder she can explain firsthand what the symptoms feel like and give specific examples of the behaviors they cause.

This free call will be for anyone who has bipolar disorder or [ Read More ]


Related posts:Julie Fast Radio Show listener call in
Julie Fast Bipolar Coaching: What I've Learned from Coaching Family Members and Partners
Information on Julie's books and coaching for parents and family members

My friend Karyn explains euphoric bipolar mania!

Hi Julie,

You asked me to explain my view on your euphoric mania. It was good for me to write it down. I can see how much more I understand than we first met almost six years ago!

I've always thought of mania as a "Euphoric" high, the feeling that we all have at times that is exacerbated with someone with bipolar disorder. You tell me you feel like you can do no wrong, you feel great, you can't believe you've ever been depressed. You can spend money, make big decisions, all with this state of mind. I compare it to making decisions with a depressed mind, you don't want to do that either.

It's like two ends of a spectrum and they were really hard for me to get clear on at first.

It may feel great to be on a manic high, but it seems uncontrollable to me. You make  decisions that are [ Read More ]


Related posts:A Friend's View of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder Euphoric Mania
Newsletter: Mania, hypomania, euphoric mania, dysphoric mania- my plea to you!

You've Asked For More Information on Bipolar Disorder From Julie A. Fast

A note from Sheri Joi:

Julie and I receive hundreds of emails asking questions about bipolar and how to better manage the illness.

Since Julie is not able to answer each question individually, we've come up with a way for everyone to get the information they are requesting.  A group coaching call on Bipolar 101.

This free call will be for anyone who has bipolar disorder or anyone who cares about someone with the illness.

Save the date…..

Date: Thursday, September 29th

Time: 5:30 PM PST, (check your time zone)

How it works:   Use the call in number below to sign into the call.  I will welcome everyone and Julie will cover the basics of bipolar disorder for the first 45 minutes. There will then be a Q&A session.

Call in a little early as there is a limited space.

Call in details:  507-726-4240

Passcode: 101 311 #

 

We look forward [ Read More ]


Related posts:Information on Julie's books and coaching for parents and family members
Julie Fast Radio Show listener call in
What is it like to work with Julie A. Fast???

Pt 1. Tips for Parents of Adult Children with Bipolar Disorder: Three Patterns to Recognize and Change

This is a two part blog for parents who have adult children with bipolar disorder.  You need help too!

You are the ones who have it tough when your child isn't doing well.

Does this sound familiar?

Your child has a diagnosis and refuses meds. Your child has obvious bipolar disorder symptoms (or another psychiatric illness) and not only refuses to get help , but gets very angry if you bring up the subject.   Your child  is so ill they need hospitalization,  but you have no idea how to get them into treatment.

Of course there are many more situations,  but I want you to know: You are not alone!

All parents of adult children with active bipolar disorder are overwhelmed.  This is a strong illness that can grab hold of your family and not let go.  In the past two years, I've worked with hundreds of parents in my coaching business and [ Read More ]


Related posts:Information on Julie's books and coaching for parents and family members
Children: From Bipolar to Pervasive Develpmental Disorder
Amazing Parenting Resource Website

Bipolar Disorder meds: Yikes! I almost made a pretty bad mistake…..

Taking meds every day can be confusing!

I  had a pretty scary experience today.

I am good about taking my medications. I basically have no life if I don't use my Lamictal along with my management plan. They can't work alone- so meds are my lifeline.

I have small amounts of my meds in many locations as I move around town a lot and may forget to put my daily meds container in my purse.

Here's where I put them:

1. My glove compartment

2. My mom's house

3. My house

4. My daily dose in my purse- I fill this bottle every night.

Today, I was putting a bottle of meds at my mom's house and had my daily bottle in my backpack.

I took out both bottles at once.

My [ Read More ]


Related posts:Bipolar Disorder Medications Side Effects Tip
Bipolar Medication Side Effects Tip #1
I missed a dose of my Lamictal… again!

Anxiously Waiting for an Email Reply: Let People Move on Their Own Schedule

Emotions caused or exacerbated by bipolar disorder are often so uncomfortable we want others to help us feel better. For example, if you're waiting for an important email from someone- your intense obsession with the email will probably make you feel the other person has to answer in a certain amount of time and if they don't……

….this means they don't care about you.  

A solution is to make rules for yourself such as- I will never go after people before I know their intentions.  Or, say to yourself over and over again: "This is about bipolar disorder. Feeling extreme anxiety over the desire to get an emotional fix as soon as possible is my problem and not the problem of the other person. I have to learn to control this or I will ruin relationships."

No one will ever understand why on earth we would get ill while waiting for a simple email, [ Read More ]


Related posts:319 Email
International Clear Out Your Email Inbox Day!
A Reply from Stinker and the question on Bipolar Antipsychotics and Weight Gain

Thanks for your patience….

As you may have noticed, the font on the blog posts is not very consistent- and the spacing is off as well. It's always my goal to create a visually enjoyable blog-  but technology doesn't always let that  happen!

We are working on it and will have the problem fixed in the next few days.

Julie

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