Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 95

Woke up Depressed- Still Went to Work

I've been stable for a week. This is a miracle for me as I usually have a mood swing every day.

My mind kept saying, "You will never get depressed again Julie! It's gone forever!"

Almost 30 years of depression and my mind still doesn't get it! I am open to being well forever. It's always my goal- but so far, the depression always comes back.

I was ready for it in my mind, but when it starts I'm always so mad, mad, MAD!

The past week has been so wonderful. It wasn't mania and my mind wasn't mean to me. I worked as much as I could. I truly like my work, especially the family and partner coaching. It has meaning for me.

But this morning the big D was back full force. I woke up at 4:00 AM and it started.

"What is the point of getting up Julie? Every day is the same. Work for money- that isn't worth it. No hope for the future. Things are the same as always. There is no point in getting up. You're lonely."

It's such a pervasive feeling. It's soaks up all of my cells.

I knew my management skills had to kick in. I called up my inner drill sargeant. "Get out of bed Julie! Don't listen." I jumped up. In the bath I said, "No wallowing in misery Julie! Get out of the bath and get dressed!"

It propelled me into getting ready to go to work. I'm at my office for the day now. Starbucks

And I'm working. The depression is better. I kicked it out of my body through action!

Julie

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Published on May 20, 2011 12:48

What is the difference between euphoric hypomania sleep problems and insomnia?

This is the newsletter I sent out yesterday. If you're not on the newsletter list, you can subscribe to the right. I plan to put more contests on the newseletter and it's always filled with great infomration!

Newsletter: The difference between euphoric hypomania sleep problems and insomnia:

I often have questions about bipolar disorder sleep problems. This newsletter addresses the question. I have also included information on my coaching at the bottom of the newsletter. Thanks for all of the great comments on how my books have helped you manage the illness or how they have helped you learn more about the illness in order to understand and help a loved one.

Julie, what is the difference between sleep problems caused by euphoric hypomania and sleep problems cause by insomnia?

Some background: Hypomania is the milder form of mania that comes with bipolar II. Of course those with bipolar I can have hypomania at the beginning as well, but those of us with the bipolar two form of the illness stay a bit under the mania radar. That doesn't mean we don't have the same manic symptoms in many ways, it just means they are not usually as disruptive or destructive.

Here is the main difference in terms of sleep between euphoric hypomania and insomnia:

People who are euphoric hypomanic don't want to sleep. (It's such a waste of time!)
People with insomnia truly want to sleep and can't. (Oh no, I am going to be so tired at work tomorrow!)

Euphoric hypomania:

People with hypomania don't lie in bed trying to get to sleep. They would rather be cleaning their entire kitchen or working on a great new work project at 2:00 AM. Sleep is such an incredible waste of time when you're manic! A friend of mine just told me that she polished her shoes and jewelry in the middle of the night when she was manic! Funny. I have the thought: "It's only midnight, I can get in the car and go to karaoke right now!" I would never think that when I'm stable. Thanks heavens I've learned not to listen to my manic voice too often. (It still tricks me sometimes.)

People with euporic hypomania are often so awake and it feels so good, the thoughts of how it will affect them the next day are not really paramount!

Insomnia:

People with insomina are tossing and turning and looking at the clock and feeling miserable and just hoping that they won't be too tired the next day. They may get up in frustration and then get back in bed and hope they can sleep. Their brain is racing with how not being able to sleep is going to cause them problems. It's very uncomfortable. They are not depressed or manic, they simply can't sleep that night. Chronic insomnia is a big problem that may be diagnosed as a sleep disorder.

What about you?

So, if it's 2:00 AM and you're feeling good (or your loved one is feeling good)- and you have written five blogs, commented on five other blogs, answered most of your email and started to draw a mind map of how you want to redesign your kitchen. Beware! It isn't insomnia!

Julie

!

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Published on May 19, 2011 09:29

What is the difference between euphorica hypomania sleep problems and insomnia?

This is the newsletter I sent out yesterday. If you're not on the newsletter list, you can subscribe to the right. I plan to put more contests on the newseletter and it's always filled with great infomration!

Newsletter: The difference between euphoric hypomania sleep problems and insomnia:

I often have questions about bipolar disorder sleep problems. This newsletter addresses the question. I have also included information on my coaching at the bottom of the newsletter. Thanks for all of the great comments on how my books have helped you manage the illness or how they have helped you learn more about the illness in order to understand and help a loved one.

Julie, what is the difference between sleep problems caused by euphoric hypomania and sleep problems cause by insomnia?

Some background: Hypomania is the milder form of mania that comes with bipolar II. Of course those with bipolar I can have hypomania at the beginning as well, but those of us with the bipolar two form of the illness stay a bit under the mania radar. That doesn't mean we don't have the same manic symptoms in many ways, it just means they are not usually as disruptive or destructive.

Here is the main difference in terms of sleep between euphoric hypomania and insomnia:

People who are euphoric hypomanic don't want to sleep. (It's such a waste of time!)
People with insomnia truly want to sleep and can't. (Oh no, I am going to be so tired at work tomorrow!)

Euphoric hypomania:

People with hypomania don't lie in bed trying to get to sleep. They would rather be cleaning their entire kitchen or working on a great new work project at 2:00 AM. Sleep is such an incredible waste of time when you're manic! A friend of mine just told me that she polished her shoes and jewelry in the middle of the night when she was manic! Funny. I have the thought: "It's only midnight, I can get in the car and go to karaoke right now!" I would never think that when I'm stable. Thanks heavens I've learned not to listen to my manic voice too often. (It still tricks me sometimes.)

People with euporic hypomania are often so awake and it feels so good, the thoughts of how it will affect them the next day are not really paramount!

Insomnia:

People with insomina are tossing and turning and looking at the clock and feeling miserable and just hoping that they won't be too tired the next day. They may get up in frustration and then get back in bed and hope they can sleep. Their brain is racing with how not being able to sleep is going to cause them problems. It's very uncomfortable. They are not depressed or manic, they simply can't sleep that night. Chronic insomnia is a big problem that may be diagnosed as a sleep disorder.

What about you?

So, if it's 2:00 AM and you're feeling good (or your loved one is feeling good)- and you have written five blogs, commented on five other blogs, answered most of your email and started to draw a mind map of how you want to redesign your kitchen. Beware! It isn't insomnia!

Julie

!

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Published on May 19, 2011 09:29

Information on Julie's books and coaching for parents and family members

I'm often asked to explain what I do. This is it in a nut shell!

Information on my books and coaching:

All of my books are based off of my Health Cards Treatment Plan for Bipolar Disorder. They work for those with the illness and are especially helpful for those who care about someone with the illness and just want to know what in the world is going on when their loved one gets sick!

http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-health-cards/

If you scroll to the bottom of the page- you can see my books package. This is the most popular way to get all of my work. I call it the complete management system. It's also great to get a box of books delivered to your door that you know will change your life.

All of my books are guaranteed- I know they work.

Partner and Family Member Coaching

Education about bipolar disorder is essential. It's the only way to manage the illness successfully. When I work with my coaching clients, I have a three step plan: Education, treatment and then management.

Wouldn't it be great if your loved one could have all three? They can. It's a lot of work, but bipolar disorder managment is completely possible. I only work with parents and partners. Most of my books are for those with the illness or the partner- but I know that the parents and other relatives need some help too!

My coaching is so close to my heart. My clients are often in great crisis. The person with the illness may refuse to even talk about bipolar, may refuse medications after a diagnosis, and in many cases live at home with no means of supporting themselves.

I have worked with it all- nothing and I mean NOTHING surprises me and I know that everyone I work with will always have a better understanding of why their loved one is having a tough time. (When I say nothing surprises me, I mean it: jail, calling the police, alcohol and drug problemis, aggression, suicide attempts, prostitution, staying in a room all day for weeks, dangerous mania and psychosis, just to name a few of the topics I work on with my clients. I of course work with calmer cases such as helping a loved one accept a diagnosis and take medications.)

There is an application process to make sure we would be a good coaching fit. Once I receive the application, we can set up a free 30 minute intake session. We usually get a lot accomplished in that session alone.

http://www.juliefast.com/family-coaching/

I'm starting group coaching sessions soon- if you're interested in the group coaching for parents and partners, please send an email with your contact information to bp@speakeasy.net. Please put the words 'group coaching' in the subject line. We will send out the infromation soon!

**

Thanks for your support of my work. I have one goal: I want ALL of us affected by this illness to find stability and be healthy.

Julie

PS: I have some amazing news coming next week, so please check out the blog! And yes, it involves an Oprah project! Yes!

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Published on May 19, 2011 09:28

Newsletter: What is the difference between sleep problems caused by euphoric hypomania and sleep problems caused by insomnia?

I just sent out a newsletter on the above topic. I know- it has been awhile for a newsletter! This is a good one.

Please check your inbox if you don't receive the newsletter by this afternoon.

Sleep problems with bipolar disorder are so pervasive. In fact, all of us with bipolar disorder have sleep problems! There are no exceptions.

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

Julie

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Published on May 17, 2011 11:26

Bipolar Happens! Kindle Testers Needed. Enter the Contest!

Bipolar Happens! 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder is the first book I ever wrote. I was so excited. Finally, I was well enough to write. I'd tried to write a book for many years, but something always got in the way. That 'something' was usually bipolar.

When I started using my Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder, my life changed- I could work again. I could write.

The result was Bipolar Happens! 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disoder: I know that many of you have read it as it has sold thousands of copies all over the world.

It's soon going to be available on Kindle.

In the spirit of this wonderful, new technology. I'm looking for 35 people to test the product. This of course means you need a Kindle! If you're interested, click on the comments button below and send me your contact information. Those who reply before tomorrow, May 16th, (I am sure it will fill up pretty soon!) will be entered into a contest to win all of my bestselling books. In return, I ask for any suggestions on content, formatting and a testimonial/review of the book to put on amazon.com.

Here are the books in the contest:

- Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner

- Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4 Step Plan to Help You and Your Loved Ones Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability

- Get it Done When You're Depressed: 50 Strategies for Keeping Your Life on Track

Wow! I will let readers know the results through email.

I look forward to hearing from you! The contest will close after I received the first 35 Kindle reader replies.

Good luck!

Julie

PS: Please know that I never have and never will use your contact information for anything other than this website. Names are used only by permission of the writer. So let's gets some people in the contest!

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Published on May 15, 2011 10:51

Bipolar Disorder Medications Side Effects Tip

I take a lot of Lamictal for my bipolar disorder. (My dose is really high: 700 mg)

This can be hard on the system if I only take it during the day. I now have it on a 24 hour cycle. I take half throughout the day and then take the rest throughout the night.

It's hard to keep track of bipolar meds- I find it very frustrating, upsetting, worrisome, etc when I look at my daily bottle and all the meds are sitting there. I forgot to take them! That happens rarely, but it's still a problem.

Here's what I do to remember my meds. I have an empty bottle that I fill every day with my Lamictal dose. I put that in my bag and take the half of the meds. Then I come home and empty the bottle on my counter next to a glass of water. I take a pill, then leave the rest for when I wake up in the night to go to the bathroom. It helps a lot to space the dose out this way. I don't get the stiff neck and twitches!

If you have a lot of meds to take- a mood stabilizer, an anti psychotic, etc. the side effects can be intense. Check with your health care professional and see if you can do the 24 hour dose process.

It sure helped me!

Julie

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Published on May 11, 2011 08:38

Are you a selfish, mean and nasty depressed person?

In the past, I was definitely a self centered, whiny, sad and complaining person. I HONESTLY didn't know this could be a part of depression. I always thought depression was sadness and crying. Since my diagnosis in 1995, I've studied all forms of depression and was surprised to see that many people with depression can be just downright nasty and negative!

My former self included.

When I found this out- I wrote down all of my negative behavior and one by one changed it- the depression still brings it on. But I know how to counteract. When I get restless and unhappy, people drive me crazy and I feel like punching something. When I'm negative and nasty, no table in a restaurant is ever good enough for me and people are always happier than I am.

When I'm negative and nasty, nothing is right, so I make sure everything is wrong around me by being mean to others and BORING them with my self centered complaining.

Guess what. I don't do it anymore. When I hear it in my head and my body wants to react, I stop myself from letting it get out. It took a few years to get good at it, but I sure do have happier friends and family.

I'm happier myself. I was embarrassed a lot. I knew that negative person wasn't me. It was and still is depression.

Julie

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Published on May 09, 2011 09:15

Do you have a bipolar disorder mood swing chart?

I chart my mood swings in my journal every night

I used to have an alarm on my watch (hilarious! but it was 1998!) that indicated it was time for a bipolar check in. I used this a lot when I first created my Health Cards management plan. I really didn't know how to manage my moods very well- because I didn't really know what moods I was having!

Monitoring my moods with an alarm really helped me learn about myself. What did MY bipolar look like? What was my mania like? Why did I do certain things during certain mood swings? Was there a pattern? Was I in the middle of a mood swing and didn't know it? Was it a good idea to chart my moods?

Oh yes there was! Always. By charting my moods during different times of the week for example, I learned who I am and what is bipolar disorder.

Do you chart your moods?

Here is what to look for: Suddenly feeling good with a feeling a contentment and that all is right with the world- if this comes after a depression… well, you have to be honest with yourself and admit some mania is creeping in and that you need to do something about it immediately. Trouble getting out of bed after feeling ok.

Lots of anxiety.

Spending more, talking more, eating more, traveling more. Crying more, felling more hopeless, isolating myself and just feeling awful. And just feeling great!!!!

Charting my moods is how I realized my rapid cycling was ridiculously bad. It also taught me my triggers.

Now it's 2011. I no longer need an alarm. I charge my moods every night in my journal. In the picture above, you can see two entries. They are across a straight line with mania on top and depression on the bottom- and yes, my rapid cycling is absolutely ridiculous.

Charting my moods changed my life for the better.

Julie

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Published on May 06, 2011 13:55

BP Magazine (Bipolar Magazine) Subscription Contest

I've written a column for BP Magazine since 2005. It's a wonderful resource for those with the illness as well as ANYONE who is involved with bipolar disorder – from family members, partners and friends to health care professionals, researchers and the media.

I learn a lot from each issue especially in terms of how others deal with the illness and the latest research on medications and other treatments. I have hope when I am done reading!

Here is the link to the BP Magazine forum. It's a place you can actually chat with people who understand! If you sign up for the forum, you will be entered into the subscription contest.

BP Magazine Forum Link

I also write for the awesome blog!

BP Magazine Blog. I would love to hear your comments on my latest post.

Julie

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Published on May 05, 2011 13:54