Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 91

Bipolar Disorder Brain Tracking: Does this happen to you?

Hi! I just wrote a blog for bp Magazine I think you will find interesting. I ask the question: Does your brain track and drive you bonkers?

Here is the first paragraph from the blog. I was walking on the beach on the Oregon coast yesterday. It was stunningly beautiful. The beach was there and I was there and depression wasn't there!

But there was another 'friend' walking with me. Brain tracking.

**

Here is the link to the blog:

bp Magazine Blog

The bipolar brain does really weird things. I'm always interested to know if my experiences are yours. Then we will know it's bipolar and not us being odd!

As always, I love to ready your comments on the blog.

Julie

Related posts:Bipolar Brain Weirdness – while watching movies!

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Published on July 28, 2011 19:35

Does Bipolar Disorder Have Psychotic Delusions?

Yes! Anyone with bipolar disorder can experiences delusions.

Delusions are psychotic symptoms along with hallucinations.

Delusions are false beliefs where a person experiences something that isn't real when compared to the outside world. Examples include believing the radio is sending private messages or that the government is monitoring behavior with special cameras hidden in a house. Paranoia is the most common delusion. I remember believing a demon was following me over my right shoulder. I also thought people were talking about me or had planted false information in my speaking evaluations. (It can be rather funny!) My ex, when he was very, very psychotic and in the hospotal was convinced I was sleeping with my former partner even though he lived in a different state and I had not seen him for five years!

I like talking about psychosis. It's not a terrible thing- it's a common part of this illness! My book Take Charge [ Read More ]

Related posts:Reader Question: What is the difference between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?
Bipolar Manic/Psychotic Talk
bipolar brain chatter

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Published on July 24, 2011 11:10

Does Britney Spears Have Bipolar Disorder? Update

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Britney Spears on Good Morning America in 2011

Here is a post I wrote when Britney Spears was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Do you think she should come out in the open and talk about the illlness? Or do we expect too much of celebrities? There is no reason they have to be role models. The topic is still interesting as she seemed to do so well and then she was pretty out of it again. If you saw her performaces of recent TV shows such as Good Morning America, she didn't look well. Who knows!

The following picture was captioned:

Britney Spears is Back! Troubled Singer Britney Spears Performs For Good Morning America!

Isn't it interesting how mental illness (brain disorders) are often labeled troubling, disturbed and out [ Read More ]

Related posts:Bipolar Disorder: Britney Spears Update
Julie Fast on Britney Spears: video
Is Britney Spears Bipolar?

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Published on July 23, 2011 19:05

You don't have to watch the news.

There is a lot of terrible stuff going on right now in the world. From Norway to Amy Winehouse's death. I decided to stop reading about both of them when I felt my anxiety level shoot up.

It's hard to ignore the news. We have been raised on it and for many people, world knowledge is an important sign of intelligence.

I am fine with not knowing what is going on in certain situations. I don't mind appearing dumb.

My stability is what matters. As a reader suggested during the Japanese tsunami, we don't have to read about something, but we can donate to companies who can make a difference.

If you are stressed by the world right now, it's ok to take a break.

Julie

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Published on July 23, 2011 19:05

Bipolar Disorder and Making Money by Saving Money

Vigilance with our money is the same thing as earning money!

I know that many people with bipolar disorder- myself included- have challenges with money. It's not always easy to work steadily when you have mood swings.

I heard a advertisement on the radio this morning that really, really made sense.

Saving Money is the Same Thing as Making Money.

Agreed. Every bill that is paid on time is saving moneybecause it saves a late fees.

Every cell phone plan that is watched carefully for mistakes and late fees saves possible overcharges. Be there! Done that!

In other words, if we do things that cost us money for no reason- we lose money. This is the same as working for nothing.

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Published on July 21, 2011 15:39

Meet Julie A. Fast. Bipolar disorder author.

Wow, this brings back memories. 2007. My message is the same, but the hair has changed a bit!

Now that it's 2011, I have another message. Time goes by too fast. We have to manage this illness successfully or it will take our precious time!

Julie

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Published on July 19, 2011 07:43

Bipolar Depression Tips: What are your top five symptoms?

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow! (I hope so!)

Make a list of your top five depression symptoms: especially the ones that sneak up on you and make you think they are real.

Write out this list and put it in your wallet. When the depression starts take it out and read it. Then say to yourself, "If I'm going through something on this list, it has to be depression. This means I have to treat the depression first."

Depression behavior rarely changes. When you learn your symptoms, you can differentiate them from the real you. If you care about someone with depression, make a list of their top five depression symptoms. Memorize them. This helps you know what you're up against when their behavior is confusing. You can say to yourself, "I remember this! He always talks like this when he's depressed! We [ Read More ]

Related posts:Odd depression and mania symptoms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder Depression Symptoms
Bipolar Disorder and Depression: Moving Forward…. when things are tough

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Published on July 19, 2011 07:43

The Latest Newsletter Has Arrived!

This is a great one as it's filled with helpful links. Many of the links lead back to this blog, but others link to my BP Magazine blog

There is a link in the newsletter to a great article called: Watch Out for Summer Mania!

If you're not on the newsletter list, you can sign up to the right.

Also, check your spam if you don't receive the newsletter in the next few hours.

Why does the spam filter always tag newsletters!

Today is a better day than yesterday. I hope you are having a good day as well.

(To be honest, considering how I've been feeling this week, it's not hard to have a better day today.) :)

I asked my house mate how he was doing. He said, "Ok. Moving towards good."

That's an honest answer. I like the way he said it.

Julie

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Published on July 14, 2011 11:33

Over the Top and Below the Norm – Bipolar Ups and Downs

A good friend of mine who has bipolar disorder and I were talking about the ups and downs of bipolar disorder and I said,

"Up sort of implies something good and down implies something bad. It's not like that with bipolar disorder. Mania is just as 'bad' and as dangerous as depression. You've been in the hospital with mania and depression- and my mania – even though it's euphoric has actually wrecked my life just as much as the depression."

So, I decided that I need another way to describe the illness that shows how both the up and the down are 'bad.' I came up with over the top and below the norm. Some people have trouble with the word normal- I don't. I know that I'm not normal when I get depressed or manic! I can compare myself to the millions of people around the world without the illness. When I get manic I go over the top in my emotions, actions and thoughts. 'Life is great! I'm a genius! Nothing can hurt me! I am superwoman! I can drive 90 miles an hour!'

When I'm depressed, I am below the norm. 'I'm a worthless piece of trash that belongs in the gutter. I want to die so that I don't feel this pain anymore. I will be like this forever and there is no hope.' It's the same dangerous language- it's just two directions away from normal!

This is just my opinion.. or course!

Julie

No related posts.

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Published on July 14, 2011 10:35

Five Bipolar Mood Swings in One Day! from 2008

I wrote this post three years ago. It's hard to read something from that long ago and realize it still happens today! But that is the nature of bipolar disorder. My mood swings are more rare than they used to be. I've made a lot of lifestyle changes- such as not dating or going out at night, etc that have helped. (Boring, but more stable. What a trade off!) But I know that thought the ilness may stay the same, I can change as much as I want. And I will continue to change in order to stay stable!

2008…..

Five mood swings in one day!

I doubt that is a record, but it sure wears me out. In that past week, I've had at least 20 mood swings. They are mild, but certainly strong enough to chart. Yesterday I had three distinct upswings. The day before that, I had a few upswings and an intense hour long downswing where I immediately started crying. I've also been twitching a lot which means there is something not right with my Lamictal dose.

What is causing this rapid cycling? Though I'm glad it's on the manic side instead of being constant depression, I know it's not good for me. I can feel my adrenaline pumping and I feel like jumping out of my skin. The chemicals are racing through my brain much faster than they normally do. I feel like talking to strangers

So, what's going on? I have to be a detective to figure this out. Here are my ideas:

- The fall weather here in Portland, Oregon has been exceptionally beautiful and sunny. We had a dark summer, so this is fantastic. But it's mania inducing.

- I wrote about a guy thing that was happening at the library where I write that got me a bit flustered. Though the whole thing could be a manic fantasy in my mind. We have all been through this. The mind gets racing even we have never talked to the person. (Odd)

My Lamictal isn't working correctly.

I'm sure it's a combination, but I'm leaning towards the Lamictal problem. This has happened to me in the past. I took some extra last night to see if I could calm down and stop the Lamictal twitching. I may have missed a dose.

I had to take Ativan to sleep.

I will keep you posted.

Julie

PS: So, it's 2008. I actually saw the guy from the library last year. Interesting. I've had trouble with Lamictal since, but am now on 700 mg and it's working.

We have to keep going no matter what!

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Published on July 12, 2011 13:01