Manic Depressive Blog

Medications That Manage Bipolar Disroder

2011-11-26T19:55:00.019-05:00

Or, At Least Medications That Finally Manage My Bipolar Disorder

Hallelujah, all my bipolar buds! I am finally on a medication regimen that is working.

Here it is:
AM
20mg Prozac (fluoxitine)
200mg Wellbutrin (bupropion)

PM
200mg SeroqulER
and one non-prescription ibuprofen PM

Finally out of depression! A little freakazoid-wired and anxious (although almost completely off caffeine), but I am functioning. Currently I am able to:

get up at some point in the morning
take care of my family throughout the day
go to work teaching college
work on my blog and science website

BTW, What Not to Do: The other night (after a few glasses of wine (which I should not be imbibing with bipolar), I accidentally took my daytime meds instead of my nighttime ones. I was awake all night long. Then I figured out what I did and, at 5am, took a half dose of my nighttime meds and slept a little.

All was well.

Hope you all are out there balancing well too!

- Moodie

Bipolar Disorder and Depression: A Patients Experience

2011-11-06T17:14:00.006-05:00

Bipolar Depression Really Sucks!

I have been recently posting updates on The Manic Depressive Blog about my current quest for bipolar medications that actually manage the depressive side of my disorder. I was diagnosed about 20 years ago, and had a very long period of good mental health with Seroquel + various antidepressants on board.

This July major depression set in ... days in bed (or as much time as possible, while working and raising kids), random and copious crying ... It's been unrelenting, for four months! This total apathy for everything is getting old (Does that mean I am becoming apathetic about my apathy?) Anyway, tomorrow I have another appointment with the shrink to continue trying to find an antidepressant that works for me.

I know that we are all unique in our experience of this disorder, and different meds help different people, but I am curious to know what all you have used to successfully manage your bipolar depression.

Shouting out a "Help!" to my bipolar peeps. What works for you?

- Moodie

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health care professional, not a computer.

Bipolar Medications: A Patient's Perspective

2011-09-24T10:44:00.010-04:00

Went to a new psych last month. He changed my meds from when I originally posted my bipolar medication regimen.

I was taking, daily:; - Seroquel 100mg; - Prozac 40mg; Also, had also been taking Zoloft. It was never nice to me, and the doc reminded me that Prozac and Zoloft work on the same pathway, so it is redundant to take them together. Plus...Prozac makes me feel happier. Zoloft makes me feel crazier. Easy choice.; My new daily combination of medication to treat my Bipolar are:; - Seroquel ER 150mg

- Celexa 5mg (which I upped to 10mg because of continuing depression.)

Still don't feel great, but out of the black hole at least. Not even close to what I consider my "normal".; Bleh.; I'll update as things change.
Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health care professional, not a computer.

Biploar Disorder and Pregnancy

2011-08-08T10:13:00.011-04:00

How should a woman manage bipolar disorder while pregnant?

Every woman is different, and should work closely with her OBGyn and psychiatrist, during and after pregnancy. Together you and your doctors can determine how your disorder should best be managed.

So I am going to write about my pregnancies, not as advice for how you should manage your disorder during pregnancy, but just in the interest of sharing experiences and information that could be potentially helpful to someone.

First Pregnancy (30 yo): I didn't know that I was bipolar at that time, although I had been treated in the past for depression. I do not recall which medications I was on, if any (other than prenatal vitamins), during my first pregnancy. I also don't recall if I felt any postpartum depression. I was going through a divorce, while my first child, a daughter, was a newborn. Then she was hospitalized at two months for a mysterious kidney problem that almost killed her, but from which she fully recovered. I think that I was just kind of stunned that whole first year.

My Second Pregnancy (37 yo): By my second pregnancy, I knew that I was bipolar and it was being managed with medication (Depakote for bipolar, Wellbutrin for depression, and maybe more, don't recall). But, my OBgyn and I decided that I would to go off meds for the duration of my pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Probably should have gone back on meds right after delivering. After, I think, 3 months of breast feeding, I really bottomed out, and for the first and only time in my life, went in for day hospitalization. The hospitalization was only helpful in that it got me in front of a doctor who prescribed Seroquel for me for the first time. It was a miracle drug for what a huge difference it made in my mental health. The hospitalization also gave me a chance to have my first group therapy with other bipolar patients. Very educational. Even at my worst, there were people way sicker than I was.

Third Pregnancy (39yo):
With my third, last pregnancy, I stayed on meds the whole time, and didn't breastfeed, because I didn't ever want to get as sick as I did after my second pregnancy. I felt disappointed about not breastfeeding, but felt that I would be a much better mother by taking my meds and keeping my mental health, and that my baby, like many babies, would do fine on formula.

Now my kids are 13, 6 & 5. For an article on the medications I am currently on, see "What Medications Are Your on for Bipolar Disorder?"

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD!!!!

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health care professional, not a computer.

What Medications Are You Taking for Bipolar Disorder?

2011-07-14T10:10:00.009-04:00

Struggling mightily against depression...after struggling mightily with a bout of mixed bipolar episodes.

Yesterday, while my daughter was at a summer day camp, I sat in my car in a parking garage with a blanket and pillow, watching Wuthering Heights on my iPhone until it was time to pick her up. At one point, I was sobbing while talking to my husband on the phone. Several people, throughout the afternoon, hesitantly approached my car to ask if I was ok. At least I wasn't laying in bed all day, but still not a stellar day for my mental health.

The medications that I had been taking (mainly just Seroquel at night and Prozac intermittently...not the way to take Prozac) have obviously not been cutting it.

I am going to start taking the Prozac as I should, every day, and am adding a 1/2 tablet of Zoloft. Yikes! Zoloft (Sertraline) is a med that I don't like, and that usually makes me feel extremely spazzy, but I am willing to give it a try again if it will pull me out of this deep blue funk. We'll see.

What Drugs are You Taking to Manage Your Bipolar Symptoms?

I am interested in learning what other people are taking to manage their bipolar. Lets share info. Post a comment about what you are, or have taken, to manage your bipolar disorder, and how your combo of meds seems to be working for you, as well as any good or bad experiences you've had with medications. Let help each other.

Reminder...the only person who should be making recommendations as to which bipolar medications you need to be taking is your psychiatrist. The purpose of this post is just to help us increase our knowledge of possible drug combinations taken by people suffering from bipolar disorder. This would be the type of information that you can talk to your doctor about, particularly if the medications you are currently taking are not working for you.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD!!!!

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health care professional, not a computer.

Bipolar Disorder + Artistic Impulse = This Picture

2011-07-08T21:13:00.010-04:00

Have a creativity compulsion today, and this art escaped from my bipolar brain--a depiction of Bipolar Disorder portrayed stick figures and pills.

I haven't posted since March, and this is what you get. I've been struggling a lot with mixed episodes for the last several months.

I will be posting a few new articles soon as well as a discussion of medications currently used to treat Bipolar.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 MixEd 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

An Introduction To My Experience With Bipolar I

2010-03-24T23:17:00.001-04:00

My name is Lilas. I am twenty-two years old and was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder when I was sixteen. At first, I refused to believe this; told no one and self-medicated with cocaine, Valium and obsessive exercise. Although I had been seeing a psychiatrist for years, it took me losing my job, my boyfriend, my apartment and almost my life to confront my demons and accept that I had an illness and needed medication.

This was a terrifying idea; I was much happier with the excuse that the reason for my crippling depression was because my mother had died when I was fourteen and I was “excitable” at times because I was a teenager. This is what I had led myself, and everyone around me to believe.

When I finally understood the seriousness of my illness and the reality that it could kill me, I found myself in a very lonely place. I was nineteen and no matter how much I tried to explain the suicidal voices, the religious hallucinations and the dangerous behavior to the people close to me, they were unable to understand.

People were just unable to accept that it wasn’t because I was a particularly wild child that I broke into that guys house naked or rode my bike around London for miles in my bikini or disappeared with that random drug dealer for days, but because I had a chemical imbalance in my brain. There is nothing harder than accepting you have a mental illness then having to convince everyone around you that you are mentally ill. This is where I found myself.

Even now, three years, two in-patient hospital trips and a lot of medication later, I am baffled to find that a few friends still seem suspicious of my illness and I know this is due to the taboo that still surrounds mental health and not their trust in my character.

This is why I am happy to contribute to this blog, because Bipolar is a still a tricky subject and if I can help educate others through my mistakes and successes then something helpful is coming out of this illness.

- Lilas Green

Dealing with Death of Loved One When Bipolar

2010-03-23T10:19:00.014-04:00

Hello Readers -

This is a personal entry rather than an update on new scientific findings regarding manic depression, but I think that it may have some value to others with this disorder.

Death in the Family

I know that, in the past, I have disappeared from the blog for months on end, and now I've just done it again. My last entry was in mid-December and titled "Bipolar? How to Survive the Holidays." It turns out that it wasn't me that had trouble surviving the holidays, but my mother (Pictured above in her youth...What a hottie!)

My mother, at 67 years of age, had an aneurysm burst in her brain in the 22nd of December. She passed away after a week of unresponsiveness in the hospital. She hadn't even been sick. The family was looking forward to celebrating Christmas Eve at her home. I'm still in shock, and miss her so much.

As an only child, the tasks of making medical decisions for mom in the hospital, arranging the funeral and settling her affairs and estate all fall on me. These sad practicalities on top of all the grief. It's been a couple of rough months for me and my family. The kids were very close to mom, and we are slowly trying to help them cope and work through their grief.

Grief + Bipolar Disorder =

Having had bipolar disorder for decades, I know that, when loved ones are in critical situations, I rarely fall apart, but instead go into autopilot and do what I can to help out and manage the situation. Thankfully, that's what happened again. That being said, I can't say enough about how crucial it is to STAY ON MEDS when faced with stress and chaos (and the rest of the time as well).

Bipolar Medications and Change of Routine

My mother lived about an hour away from us. And there were several times when I had to race up to her hospital or stay overnight in her town. On at least two nights, I either did not pack anything, or forgot to include my meds when packing, a dangerous situation. My advice for anyone with bipolar disorder is to always keep a little bit of emergency medication in your car, purse or wallet, somewhere that you have access to all the time, so that if you don't remember to bring your medications with you when traveling, you still have an emergency stash to carry you through.

In addition to the possibility that missing a dose of bipolar medication will precipitate a manic or depressive episode, people with the disorder and more vulnerable to manic depression when under stress, sleep deprived or during a change in routine, making it especially important to take meds during hard times.

Moral of the story for those with bipolar disorder...doesn't always seems to revolve around having bipolar medication? If you are not on any, get a prescription for appropriate meds. If you take meds for your disorder, remember to ALWAYS take them, particularly when life goes haywire and you need to hold yourself and family together.

Love you mom!

Bipolar? How to Survive the Holidays

2009-12-17T11:01:00.007-05:00

The countdown is on! A week until Christmas. For most, the holidays are a mixture of fun, festive and frantic. But people with bipolar disorder need to be especially careful to stay balanced and "sane" during this season of parties, shopping and family gathering. Here are a few suggestions from a seasoned veteran of manic depression:

1. If at all possible, don't fund Christmas with credit. Anyone should avoid carrying an expensive, income-sucking credit card balance. But credit is particularly dangerous for bipolars, since out of control spending is a common result of mania.

2. Try making many of your gifts. There really are home-made, low-cost, yet super cool presents:

- Make a 2010 calendar for friends and family, topped by personal photos, and filed with dates to remember, such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

- Burn a CD collection of your personal favorite Christmas songs to give as gifts.

- Give food and drink. Food: Home made Christmas candy and cookies. Drink: Make your own Kahlua, and bottle it in any cleaned used glass bottle. (Kahlua's easy to make with few ingredients: vodka, coffee, sugar & vanilla. Google for a recipe.)

3. Manage alcohol consumption. Speaking of alcohol, if you tend to consume too much, as do many folks with bipolar, try to reign in your boozing. A few tricks...

- If you are partying, every time you start to feel a bit buzzed, switch to water. Being adequately hydrated will also reduce the potential pain of hangover.

- If you are a white wine drinker, add ice, or ice water to your glass of wine. This will help you consume less alcohol and help to maintain hydration.

- If you have the will-power, skip the booze altogether. Drink lemon water, tea or some other drink of choice. This has the added benefit of reducing calorie intake, which can easily get out of control with all of the yummy holiday food.

4. Get enough sleep! It is easy to become sleep deprived during busy times. But remember, sleep deprivation cna trigger mania, so get plenty of Zzzzzzzzzzs.

5. Take your meds. Again, when things get busy, it is easy to lose your routine. But always take your bipolar meds, as prescribed, especially when your schedule becomes hectic.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

Cold, Flu & Depression: Does Physical Illness Cause Bipolar Blues?

2009-11-05T12:16:00.004-05:00

Another personal entry that I will follow up with a formal article. I just wanted to first find out if any others out there with bipolar get depressed during and after battling an infection, such as cold and flu. This seems to happen to me nearly every time I get an illness that makes me feel physically run down.

I have some theories about why this happens, and will look at the literature, see if there are any studies, and share what I find with you. Although there could be all kinds changes in brain biochemistry during illness that help to bring on depression, to me it seems that I get depressed because I am forced to slow down when ill. Normally, I am over-scheduled and frantic, running from one commitment to the next and complaining of being too busy. But if I ever have time on my hands, I fidget, am uncomfortable and think about the things I should or could be doing. Maybe staying on the move and too busy is a tactic that I use to keep depression at bay?

I called in sick yesterday because of a fever Tuesday night. I have been fever free for more than 24 hours, so am dragging myself back to work tonight to teach, although I still feel lethargic and depressed. Based on past experience, I'll bet you that I come home from work tonight wired, and with the depression banished. That's what teaching, or keeping busy does for me.

Please comment and share your experiences regarding physical illness and depression, or other bipolar symptoms. I will update you on how I feel after getting home tonight, to see if my theory is supported. And, as promised, I will look into the association between physical and mental illness, and post a research article on it within a week or so.

Stay healthy. Stay happy.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

Don't Let Your Bipolar Prescription Run Out!

2009-10-27T17:29:00.008-04:00

A personal entry today. I made a bipolar rookie's blunder last week and came one pill from running out of Seroquel. No excuse for that one. I get my meds through a mail order, because it is 1/3 the cost of getting the prescription at a brick-and- mortar pharmacy.

If you also get your bipolar medications in this less expensive way, always remember to order far in advance of running out.

What It Took to Get My Rx:

I had to first contact my doctor to get a new prescription order.
The doctor's office mailed me the written prescription.
I then discovered that I had no more mail order forms to send the script in, and had to wait for forms to be sent to me.
Then I sent the prescription in to the mail order company and waited for it to be filled and mailed back to me.

This whole scenario took no more than a week and a half (luckily), but it was merely a case of poor planning. And yes, I could have just run the prescription order over the a pharmacy and paid extra, but decided to run the risk of mail order in order to save cash.

Your bipolar medications are vital to your mental health. Use my example as a reminder to always stay on top of your meds and make sure that you have plenty of time to order and receive a new prescription, especially if it is through the mail.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

Zoloft Causing Bipolar Mania

2009-09-25T06:34:00.008-04:00

Personal entry this time. Since the days are getting shorter and cloudier, I started taking antidepressants on top of the Seroquel to prevent the seasonal depression that often occurs in people bipolar.

I've taken Zoloft (Sertraline Hcl) before, and I don't remember any problems. But this time...Wow! The stuff blasted me off into mania, or at least some pretty intense hypomania. I feel like I just drank two pots of coffee, all the time. Having trouble falling asleep at night, waking up very early in the morning, racing thoughts, pressured speech...classic symptoms. This was just after ONE pill!

The second night that I tried to sleep, after taking Zoloft, I took and extra 1/2 Seroquel (which ususally makes me VERY sleepy, a Advil PM, and nitetime cold medicine. That combo should knowcked me right out. Still couldn't sleep.

The drug did seem to make me feel happier and more social. So even with the sleep problems, I decided to try a 1/2 pill, instead of a whole one. Still feel totally beaned out and hyper. No more Zoloft for me!

Anyone else ever have anything like this happen? I know that antidepressants can induce mania, I've just never has it happen so suddenly and intensely.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

Bipolar and Seasonal Affective Disorder

2009-08-25T08:40:00.007-04:00

Today's Topic: The Relationship between Bipolar and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

With the sunlight-scarce months of autumn and winter fast approaching, many bipolar patients are ramping up the dosage on their depression medications. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) effects many manic depressives, and with the added stress of the holidays during winter months, depression is certainly something to be on the lookout for. But antidepressants also pose a risk to those with bipolar; too high a dose can fuel a blast off into mania. How can patients manage these seasonal fluctuations in mood?

To learn more about the latest research on the relationship between SAD and bipolar disorder, see the new article "Tips for Managing Seasonal Depression in Those with Bipolar Disorder"

Mooday

Still doing well. I would like, while feeling stable to try and do a better job managing my additive behavior. The drinking has got to decrease, although, when it comes down to it. I'm not very motivated. Wine every evening. Headache every morning. If any of you have done well managing your addictions, let me know how you did it. Lets start a conversation under the blog entry "Bipolar Disorder and Addiction."

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer

Genetics of Bipolar Disorder

2009-08-13T14:43:00.005-04:00

Today's Topic: Is Bipolar Hereditary?

There have recently been huge gains in our understanding of the genetics behind development of bipolar disorder. Since 2003, when the Human Genome Project sequenced all of the DNA in the human genome, it is now possible to compare the DNA of those with bipolar disorder to the DNA of those who do not suffer from a mood disorder. The discoveries are just beginning, but perhaps soon we will understand everything about the genetics that contribute to bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

See "Genetics of Bipolar Disorder: A Hereditary Mental Illness?"for a brand new article summarizing some of the latest discoveries.

Mooday

Still doing well. Fighting with my husband. I'm not that easy to get along with. Need to work on my communication. Writing is one thing, but actually talking...that can be hard. Still, my mood is pretty stable and well balanced.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer

Does Bipolar Disorder Get Worse Over Time?

2009-08-07T19:41:00.004-04:00

Today's Topic: Do Mood Disorders Progress?

Untreated and undertreated, bipolar can get more difficult to manage over time. See the Associated Content article that I've recently published on the topic: "Is Bipolar Disorder a Progressive Mental Illness?"

I plan to research, write and publish an article on bipolar disorder every week, from here in out, and will provide the link each time something new appear. Please don't hesitate to leave comments, or request an article on a topic you are interested in.

Mooday

Happy but still have more commitments than time. Not teaching right now, so it doesn't feel overwhelming. Love writing and playing with the kids now that school is out (college summer semester just ended). Feel pretty healthy and happy.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer

See this week's article: "Is Bipolar Disorder a Progressive Mental Illness?"

Articles and Links on Bipolar Disorder

2009-07-13T13:23:00.006-04:00

Today's Topic: Manic Depression Resources

I thought that I would put up those bipolar article links right away. If you find them useful, you may want to bookmark this particular post, so that you can easily find the associated articles. The articles that I have written are not technical, and should be very accessible to anyone interested in learning more about bipolar disorder.

Also, if there is a bipolar topic that you have questions about, or are particularly interested in, leave a comment. As an educator, I have access to a slew of scientific and clinical journals with the most recent studiees being done on bipolar disorder and other mental health issues. Just leave a comment and perhaps I'll turn your request into a post or formal article on the topic.

Bipolar Disorder Articles:

General:

Main Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Difference Between Personality and Mood Disorder

Mania:

Symptoms of Bipolar Mania

Depression:

Symptoms of Bipolar Depression

Sleep Exercise and Depression

Tips for Coping with Clinical Depression

Medication:

Mood Disorder Bipolar Medications

Bipolar Disorder and Prescription Drugs

Use of Antidepressants for Bipolar Disorder

Antipsychotic Medication and Weight Gain

Atypical Antipsychotics & Weight Gain

2009-07-13T13:05:00.008-04:00

Today's Topic: Seroquel and Weight

Based on a comment to a recent post on Seroquel, I decided to explore one of the dreaded side effects of atypical antipsychotics—weight gain. Because there was so much information out there, I opted to write a formal article on the topic.

Below is the link. Feel free to comment on this post, or contribute a comment on the page where the article appears. Let's start a conversation about this.

URL: http://personalitymooddisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/antipsychotic_medication_and_weight_gain

I realize that posting this link will blow my “cover” of anonymity. But I suppose, as long as the mentally ill feel a need to be anonymous, there is something seriously wrong with society's perception of mental illness and general health. I’m officially out of the closet!

I will also soon be posting an entry with links to the articles that I have written on Bipolar Disorder; kind of a Bipolar Disorder Resource.

Mooday
Again, I’ve fallen into the habit of not contributing regularly. The early summer has been very busy. I teach summer classes, am also committed to other part-time freelance work, have my own kids going to various medical appointments and camp…whew! My garden is also under attack by a wide range of insect, fungal and furry pests. So I have been busy waging a botanical war.

I've been so overloaded that I even contemplated quitting one of my freelance jobs, but since I don’t teach in the late summer, for 6 weeks, I didn’t want to sacrifice income that I would later need. Feel hypomanic, as usual, but it is a little milder now that my workload is decreasing. Sometimes you can just take your meds andwait out the bad times.

Moo-di-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

Mental Illness, Introversion and Self-absorption

2009-06-06T21:33:00.008-04:00

Today's Topic: Isolation is Bad For Bipolar

I am an introvert--big time. I teach college, typically lecturing in front of an auditorium of students. So I am not talking about 'shy' here. I am talking about a personal preference, comfort with self and being perfectly happy to spend time alone. I also have bipolar disorder, and speak from personal experience when I say, spending too much time focused on yourself is a bad thing for someone who is depressed or bipolar.

Personality and Bipolar Disorder
And its not just me who thinks so. Isolation is bad for depression. There's lots of data out there on the subject. The article What Personality Tests Tell Us About Bipolar Disorder specifically explores aspects of the bipolar personality in some detail. It is very interesting piece, and really hit home with me.

The author of that article has collected data on personality (Myers-Briggs personality test) from people struggling with depression. Not a formal scientific study, but revealing data none the less. His results suggest that many of the clinically depressed and prone to be introverts as well as belonging to a category called 'dreamers'. This essentially means that a lot of us spend a good deal of time in our own private inner world, rather than out there participating in the wider world of others.

What's Wrong with Preferring Your Own Company?
Now daydreaming introverts may get defensive when someone suggests that they need to get out more, and I can understand this reaction. My mother spent a lot of breath, when I was a kid, nagging me to spend more time playing with others instead of sitting under trees reading. Her well-meaning prompting pissed me off. It still does. But honestly, a great deal of research as well as my own experience, show that getting out of your own head is a good thing, especially when your head contains a brain that struggles with bipolar disorder.

Obligations Can Save Your Life
In my 25+ year struggle as an adult with bipolar disorder, I have seen how dragging myself out of bed when things must get done (caring for kids, keeping a job, etc.) has helped my mental health. The obligation that I feel towards my kids, has certainly saved my life. I would have been much more likely to follow through on suicide impulses had it not been for my unwillingness to subject my kids to that kind of grief. It is certainly true that sometimes, when a person is very sick with mental illness, he or she can't do much of anything. I volunteered for day psychiatric hospitalization when I got to that point.

Get a Pet, Get a Friend, Get a Virtual Social Network
So, the moral of the story for this post is that if you are bipolar and see some of that introvert-dreamer personality in you, give some thought to how healthy spending most of your time inside your head is. Probably not so much. It's great to enjoy your own company and be comfortable with yourself. But having someone or something (even a pet) depending on you, or staying engaged in some type of healthy social relationship, a social network or community, can help draw you out and inherently improve the state of your mental health.

Leave a comment. Let me know what you think.

Mooday
Yesterday, as an adventure, spent the night at a hotel with my two youngest kids. Fun! Also sleepless (one snorted the other kicked). Still, after a nap, my overall mental health feels pretty balanced right now. Dealing with lawyers and support issues related to my oldest child; a huge expense and huge stressor. Going to get plenty of sleep tonight to keep that stress from knocking me into depression. Feel a little blue.

Moo-di-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Seroquel – Bipolar Patient’s Opinion

2009-05-28T23:00:00.006-04:00

Today’s Topic – A Patient’s Thoughts on Quetiapine

As I’ve mentioned in previous blog entries, my educational background is in psychology. I also have been previously employed as a pharmaceutical representative (for oncology and neurology drugs). That’s the professional stuff. The personal part of the story is that I am diagnosed Bipolar II and have been on Seroquel (aka Quetiapine, say kwe-TIE-a-peen) for the past four+ years. Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

My opinion of the drug…LOOOOOVE IT!!!!

When I Went on Seroquel
I was previously on Depacote and the antidepressants Wellbutrin and Zoloft for management of my bipolar symptoms. Then I went off meds during a pregnancy and was put on some entirely inappropriate meds by a new (quack) psychiatrist I was trying out after my pregnancy. Big mistake. Ended up undergoing a week of day psychiatric hospitalization, which, thankfully resulted in my being prescribed Seroquel for the first time.

Why I Almost Wasn’t Put on Seroquel
I don’t remember what the quack doc had me on, but I do remember him talking to me about Seroquel and dismissing the drug due to his concern that I would gain weight. I am not obese or even significantly overweight, but this bad doc took it upon himself to decide that, after a pregnancy I would, I guess, prefer to be slim instead of sane. Bad call. The size of my ass is just not as much of a priority as is my mental health.

What I Like About Seroquel
Now there are several different drugs used for the management of bipolar disorder, and different patients respond to different drugs. I am certainly not recommending that all bipolar patients run out and get some Seroquel, but the drug is certainly something that I would recommend any patient struggling with bipolar symptoms at least discuss with his or her psychiatrist.

You Can Fell Its Effects Right Away: Compliance (a patient taking meds as prescribed) is a huge issue for most patients, particularly those with bipolar disorder, since some of the symptoms, at least of hypomania, can be downright pleasant. Even knowing better, I’ve had lots of problems staying on meds, mainly because the effects of antidepressants and other drugs used to manage mood take so long to build up to therapeutic dose (meaning that there is quite a delay between when you take the drug and when it works). Seroquel, at least for me, is somewhat sedating. I take it at night and it helps me sleep and helps to quiet the ‘chattering’ in my head that often keeps me awake. The instant effects of the drug help me stay compliant.

Seroquel Helps With Insomnia: I know that I just mentioned this effect, but it is important enough to stand alone. Many bipolar patients have trouble sleeping, and lack of sleep can precipitate a manic episode—a vicious cycle. Managing sleep is sooooo important.

Dangers of Seroquel
Seroquel is not recommended for elderly patients with dementia-related psychoses. And certainly if you are pregnant or considering having a baby, you need to discuss your mental health and medications with your doctors. Recently, some of the people who develop diabetes while on Seroquel have been suing AstraZeneca, but the lawsuits have been dismissed. Bottom line--Any drug has risks, and psychiatric patients are a high risk population. You don’t get somethin’ for nothin’. Just sit down with your psychiatrist and discuss whether the possible benefits of taking a med outweigh the risks.

Mooday

One and a half hour phone call with lawyer (cost: ~ $375) regarding ongoing custody crap with ex-husband (a 52-year-old man who wants support for his part-time care of our one child. Support from me, a part-time employed mother of 2 additional children under four years of age). For $%#& sake! This and writing deadlines have help to put me all over the bipolar landscape today. Mixed episodes! But played with my little ones this evening and delighted in their adorableness. Priorities. Remember what is important.

Moo-di-Meter
Manic 10 ... MIXED... 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipolar Psychiatric Day Hospitalization

2009-05-26T16:45:00.017-04:00

Today’s Topic - What Is Psychiatric Voluntary Day Hospitalization Like?

As mentioned in my blog entry “Bipolar and Pregnant?” I went in for a week of voluntary hospitalization shortly after my son was born. It was a difficult decision to make, and I was pretty scared, but I was also extremely sick…severe depression mixed with some of the less pleasant manic symptoms, such as problems filtering stimuli, incessant chattering in my head, insomnia and irritation.

I approached my hospitalization in kind of a detached, clinical way, since my Master’s in psych. I am sure that I tried to maintain this perspective to make the experience seem less scary and more controlled. And I did learn a lot, and got enough of a peek into a psychiatric hospital to know that this was one place I didn’t want to spend much of my future.

So here’s what happens when you check into a psychiatric hospital on a 9 – 5 basis:

1. Entrance interview: Some guy asked me a bunch of questions, most designed to gauge how much of a suicide risk I was. I was not a suicide risk, and all my cynical mind could think during this interview was “They are sure covering their lawsuit-vulnerable asses!”

2. Group sessions: Most of my time that week was spent in group therapy. For bipolar patients, a group of us typically includes patient with a wide range of symptoms (some are manic, some psychotic, some depressed, some mixed) and many different levels of functioning (some folks in the group seemed very “normal” / high functioning, and other seemed…well…pretty crazy). I did not find the topics discussed in group to be all that helpful. It was very helpful, though, to see that I wasn’t really doing all that bad compared to some of the other patients.

3. Specialized group sessions: Based on the answers that you give in the entrance interview, the hospital may put you in special group sessions, outside of your diagnostic category. Since I admitted to drinking more than I consider healthy, they scheduled me in an addiction group in the resident part of the hospital. SCAREY!!! The group was interesting, and full of all kinds. I didn’t participate very much, because, at the time, I didn’t feel that I belonged in a group of patients this severe. The most memorable group member was a young woman who seemed very aggressive in her attitude and whose skin was entirely green! GREEN! WTF? Yellow / jaundice is from liver problems. What the heck makes you turn green?

4. Seeing a psychiatrist: It took, I think, a day or two for this to happen, but I did finally see an actual shrink. The bipolar problems that I had at the time were due to a combination of being pot-partum and on the wrong medication (Went to a quack psych as my first post-preg psych evaluation). The doc at the psychiatric hospital put me on the right meds, which was what really brought me out of this episode, much more effectively than any of the other aspects of day hospitalization.

Moral of the story: Get and stay on the right meds for your bipolar. If you are pregnant work very closely with your OB and psychiatrist to avoid a manic or depressed episode during and after your pregnancy.

Mooday

Still realize I have made too many commitments, and feel severely overwhelmed. Something’s got to give. I have been considering quitting one of my writing freelance jobs, but need the $. Something in my schedule must go. I am just not sure what it is.

Moo-di-Meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipolar and Pregnant?

2009-05-22T00:28:00.012-04:00

Today’s Topic: Pregnancy, Bipolar Symptoms and Medication

This is another personal experience entry. I have three children and have had very different experiences managing my bipolar symptoms during each pregnancy. With an educational background in psychology and a career history as a pharmaceutical rep, I knew I had to pay attention my symptoms and make some decisions about my medications while pregnant. Each woman with bipolar disorder has to make these decisions with the help of her psychiatrist and OB/GYN. The following is just my experience, not advice.

My First Pregnancy: Didn’t know I was bipolar, just was. I had so many interpersonal problems going on at the time that I really have no recollection of the bipolar part of the equation.

My Second Pregnancy (7 years later): Bipolar symptoms were not so bad at the time, so went off my meds, under doctor supervision, and really had no trouble with my mental health during the pregnancy. Was concerned that post-partum hormonal chaos might throw me into a bad episode, so after my son was born, I paid even more careful attention to my mood, as I hoped to be able to breastfeed for the first few months. I didn’t want to stop breastfeeding, even when I began to have some trouble with depression. Ultimately ended up getting back on my meds too late, and when I did, was prescribed the wrong medication. Became so sick with major depression that I voluntarily went in for a week of day hospitalization in a local psychiatric hospital. It’s a much more experience-rich story than this, and I will post a future entry on psychiatric hospitalization to fill you in.

My Third Pregnancy (1.5 years later): The episode that I endured after my second pregnancy influenced me to stay on meds during the second and third trimester of this pregnancy (I think at a lower dose, as some of the docs in the OB group caring for me were opposed to my taking meds, whereas others were in favor…Talk about confusing the patient!) Staying on meds this time resulted in a mentally smooth pregnancy and post-pregnancy period. Although I did start the baby on formula from the get-go, because I didn’t want to expose her to any more of my meds than she had already dealt with as a fetus.

I think the moral of this story is that all mentally ill woman should closely consult both their psychiatrist and obstetrician before, during and after a pregnancy. If you are advised to stay on medication while pregnant, don’t feel guilty. Your baby needs a mentally healthy mother.

Mooday
Husband out of town, kids in bed, and I should have been hours ago. At least I am consistent at being hypomanic!

Mood-ie-Meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

What Is Hypomania?

2009-05-20T23:09:00.008-04:00

Today's Topic: Hypomania

Hypomania is a sub-manic state, which, along with one or more episodes of major depression, warrants a Bipolar II diagnosis (as opposed with Bipolar I -- full-blown mania with or without depression).

Symptoms of hypomania may include optimism, pressure of speech (talking fast), a high level of activity, and decreased need for sleep. Some people also experience increased creativity, but on the negative side, they can also display poor judgment and be very irritable. Hypomanics are usually able to function socially and in their work-life and do not manifest the psychoses that can be part of an all-out manic episode.

Many of the symptoms of hypomania are kind of 'normal', so the condition is tricky to diagnose, since the person who is hypomanic typically feels great and is very productive. This good feeling can, however, when not managed, spiral out of control and cause problems in a persons life.

Although for diagnosis, those classified as Bipolar II cannot have had a true manic episode prior to diagnosis, this does not mean that mania could not occur in the future, as untreated bipolar disorder tends to worsen and become more extreme.

The DSM-IV-TR definition of hypomania is: "A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual non depressed mood."

I am Bipolar II, so this all sounds very familiar.

Here is a link to that provides on-line free access to DSM-IV-TR disorder descriptions, from Behave Net Clinical Capsule.

MooDay
Home, work, kids, doctor appointments for kids...I feel the pressure building. When I start getting very stressed the hypomania begins to feel like a bad, chaotic thing, rather than a happy, productive thing. Gotta cut down on work somehow. How??

Mood-ie-Meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipolar I and Bipolar II Diagnosis

2009-05-20T15:29:00.004-04:00

Today's Topic: Comparison of Bipolar I and Bipolar II

When you look through the literature on bipolar disorder (manic depression) there are many references to Bipolar I and Bipolar II. What is the difference? Which do you have? Here is a very basic summary of the differences between Bipolar I and II.

Bipolar I : This manifestation of the disorder is diagnosed in individuals who have experienced one or more manic episodes, and who may or may not have experienced any episodes of major depression. The DSM-IV-TR, psychology's diagnostic bible, indicates that one or more manic or mixed episodes (manic and depressed) are required are required for this diagnosis.

Bipolar II : Patients diagnosed as Bipolar II have hypomanic episodes rather than full-blown manic episodes, and have had at least one bout of major depression. Hypomania is milder than manic, the prefix hyop- meaning "less than."

Here is a link to that provides on-line free access to DSM-IV-TR disorder descriptions, from Behave Net Clinical Capsule.

Mooday:

Since I posted so recently, the Moo-today is essentially the same as the Moo-yesterday ;)

Mood-ie-meter:

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Research on Bipolar Disorder & Addiction

2009-05-19T15:24:00.003-04:00

Todays Topic: Helpful Links on Dual Diagnosis - Bipolar Disorder & Addiction

I'm back again! Already! In the last entry, I vowed to start regularly contributing to this blog, and I meant it. It's good therapy.

In yesterday's posting, I said that I would look into current research and information on the relationship between bipolar disorder and addictive behavior, and I've found some great info and links.

It appears that about 60% of those with bipolar disorder will have problems with substance abuse at some point in their life. This problem actually has its own term, "dual diagnosis", meaning a combination of mental disorder and addiction. Many people with mood disorders tend to self-medicate. Seems there is still less shame associated with being an alcoholic or drug abuser than with having a mental disorder.

A very recent study from January 2009 in the European Psychiatry (referenced below), had preliminary results showing "a strong relationship between Bipolar II Disorders and Alcohol Addiction: hypomanic states induce high risk behaviours which may become responsible for relapse and increased alcohol consumption".

Below are a few recent studies and helpful web articles that I found. Beware when you do mental health searches on search engines. Many of the results that come up are sites trying to see you something.

Helpful Links on the relationship between bipolar disorder and addiction:

Everyday Health Website - "Bipolar disorder and addiction: The dual diagnosis"
J of Clin Psychiatry, 2006 - "Management of comorbid bipolar disorder and substance abuse"
European Psychiatry, 2009 - "Alcohol addiction and bipolar disorders"
Organized Wisdom Website - "Bipolar disorder and addiction"

MooDay
Busy week at work. It is start of the summer semester and I teach. So although I realize that I am hypomanic right now, slowing down is not an option. Maybe next week. Taking meds as I should, but already thinking about having a drink when I get home.

Mood-ie-meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipoar Diorder and Addiction

2009-05-18T21:30:00.005-04:00

Today's Topic: Bipolar, Alcohol Abuse and other Addictions...OH MY!

I'm back! Confused? Read my November 2007 entry on Bipolar Disorder and Routine. There has not been a new entry to this blog for more than a year. Case in point. :)

The topic today is the relationship between addiction and bipolar disorder. I would love to start a comment-conversation on this one with other bipolar folk, so please leave a comment if you have something to contribute.

Alcohol: Although, after being diagnosed with this disorder for many years and learning the hard way the importance of medication compliance (taking your meds on schedule, day an and day out), there has been one request my psychiatrist has repeatedly made that I have never been able to adhere to. "Stop drinking."

I am not a falling-down-drunk-everclear-fifth-finishing-passed-out-in-a-pool-of-my-own-vomit alcoholic. I am probably more of a functioning-3/4-bottle-of-wine-most-evenings alcoholic. But being bipolar, perhaps my version is just as bad.

My psychiatrist always expressed exasperation with my drinking; seemed unable to understand why I couldn't just stop, since drinking while bipolar was clearly not logical..."It's not a good idea to drink with your meds and with having bipolar disorder." Duh! Don't you think I know that? If stopping were easy, it wouldn't be called an addition, Dr. Spock!

The ONLY time that I don't drink in the evening is when I am sick with a cold or some type of immune-bashing illness. The best way I have been able to try and reduce the amount of alcohol I consume daily is to make a point to have my first drink as late in the day as I can, and
then switch to hot tea as at another time marker later in the evening.

Smoking: My history of smoking is much like my history of drinking. Not too heavy, but consistent. (Momentary digression...Isn't is bizarre that one of the few consistent things about a bipolar person is the long-term support of an addiction...whatever it may be...shopping, drinking, drugs, bad relationships. It's like excelling at the 'dark side' of routine.)

But listen to this...I quit smoking! So, for all of you bipolar smokers. It is possible. I just had to find a way to make quitting sound appealing. This was my ridiculous, but effective, reasoning, "If you chew Nicorette, you can essentially partake in your addiction anytime. Whereas with smoking, there are only certain paces and times you can do it." Twisted logic, but honestly it worked for me. One month so far sans cigs! Woohoo!

This entry has been more conversational than my past blog topics. I will be doing some research on bipolar disorder and addiction, and, in my next entry, I will share what I find regarding the latest studies. I plan to resume making regular contributions to this blog. I'll try to start posting something every couple weeks. How 'bout some of you out there begin posting some more comments and we'll get some conversations going?

MooDay
I have been over-committed/scheduled, busy beyond belief for the past year. That's why I have not been posting to the blog. Although not being able to slow down is a sign that something is wrong, I have had very few problems with severe depression during that time. A full in-box seems to help me have direction and purpose. And when I stop to rest, I fall into a mild to moderately depressed funk. This hypomanic 'need to live life at high speed' is certainly relevant to being bipolar. I will also look into this phenomenon more closely and report what I find. I have spent the past year+ being hypomanic. As far at the Mood-ie-meter goes, I'd say an 8 most of the time, except when the bottom occasionally falls through and I plop to a 2 or 3.

Mood-ie-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Hypomania - Walking the Line

2008-02-04T16:15:00.000-05:00

Todays Topic: Hypomania
After struggling with diagnosed bipolar disorder for the past 20 years, I think that I have a more realistic perspective of the illness and my vulnerabilities. One temptation is to strive for a mood just shy of of hypomania. Hypomania is a sub-manic state. And honestly, when hypomanic I can get a lot done.

The problem is, even with the vast pharmacopia available for treating mood disorders, no one can presicely control mood. Unexpected stressors in life can't be avoided, and walking the hypomanic line leave little wiggle room when stress suddenly turns up the heat. Hypomania can very quickly turn into full blown mania or head south into depression.

I had been operating in a hypomanic state for some time. With the sudden burden of work and home stressors I spent the last several days sleeping and walking through molasses (figuratively...those of you who have suffered from depression know how severe depression can even make it difficult to move. How everything seems slowed down.

So, since the last posting in December, I was busy being hypomanic and working on other projects to post a Moodie entry. Then I was too depressed to handle much more than getting through the day.

MooDay
Was very depressed over the past several days. Began taking my Zoloft (in addition to the Seroquel and Wellbutrin that I usually take). My psychiatrist usually advises me to add the Zoloft in fall and winter, when depression is usually more of a problem, then stop taking the Zoloft in the spring and summer to avoid hypomania.

Today I feel hypomanic again, but after being depressed it feels great to be functional...a 7 on the Mood-ie-meter.

Mood-ie-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

Recovering From Debt

2007-12-03T14:59:00.000-05:00

Today’s Topic: Debt Consolidation
A few posts ago, I discussed the common problem of individuals with manic depression generating mountains of debt when in a manic state.

Once you get your manic depression treated, it may be a good idea to enroll in a debt consolidation program. These programs can get some of your credit card companies to reduce your interest rates and they also prohibit you from opening new accounts or risk being dropped by the debt consolidation program. So you get both the “carrot” and the “stick” to help keep you on track.

Here are a couple of excellent resources to help you find a legitimate debt consolidation program that won’t rip you off.

Debt Consolidation Programs About.com

and

Federal Trade Commission

MooDay
Still going a little too fast, doing too much and not getting enough sleep. So the Mood-ie-Meter is hanging around 7.5. Also running low on scripts, so MUST get the prescription order in the mail TODAY.

Mood-ie-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7.5 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

Bipolar, Pressure and Anxiety

2007-11-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

Today's Topic: The Manic Rush
One thing that I have definitely found, after having manic depression for 20+ years, is that the more you rush around, the more wound up and manic you begin to feel.

I am definitely a deadline motivated person, so even though there are many aspects of my disorder that I have a reasonable handle on, I frequently find that I feed my mania by not leaving myself enough time and hurrying from task to task.

So what can be done to avoid the manic rush?

Planning and Over Scheduling
Here are a few tips that I try to keep in mind:

Be sure to give yourself more than enough time; build "buffer time" right into your schedule to help absorb the unexpected events that take up time.

If you are going somewhere, get the essentials done FIRST. Before you allow yourself to move on to other tasks, make sure that you have gotten everything, including yourself, ready to the point that you can walk out the door at a moments notice. Place all the items that you are taking with you on the counter (and don't forget the keys).

If you have to leave your home early in the morning, be sure to get everything ready the night before. Heading out the door will be a much more relaxing experience.

If you've gotten to that point where there is not way to avoid rushing at the moment, lay off the caffeine! In the analogy that rushing around with bipolar disorder is like feeding a manic fire, adding caffeine is akin to throwing gasoline on the flames. Grab a decaf!

Remember, you don't have to get everything done today!

Mooday
My own rushing around is what prompted me to write on this topic today. So, yup, I've been a bit on the manic side for the past few days.

Mood-ie-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

Manic Depression and Routine

2007-11-25T17:59:00.003-05:00

Today's Topic : Bipolar and Consistency
In an earlier posting I discussed sleep and bipolar disorder; how regular sleep can help you manage your manic depression. But it isn't just regular sleep...it's regular everything. Routine is very important (an often very difficult to maintain) if you have bipolar disorder.

Changes in routine can start your mood pendulum to swinging. The disruptions to routine can be changes in sleep (as mentioned earlier), dealing with the holidays, getting a cold or the flu or even fun, positive things, like going on vacation.

Can't Prevent Most Unexpected Events...So What Do You Do?
We can't control every aspect of our life, so when these disruptions to routine happen it is important to do all that you can to stay mentally healthy.

Remember to take your meds.
Get enough sleep!

Don't start drinking loads of caffeinated or alcoholic beverage.

If you are down with a cold or the flu, really take care of yourself rather than taking pills that only mask the symptoms.

Mooday

I was prompted to write today's entry after coming down with the flu bug that has been traveling through my family for the past couple weeks. While my fantastic husband took care of the kids, I slept, and slept, and slept.

It is not uncommon for me to begin a swing toward depression after being sick, but even with my flu symptoms, I am feeling very balanced mentally. The key is being aware that you many be vulnerable to mood problems when you are ill and taking the important steps to reduce the chance of a swing.

Mood-ie-Meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

Manic Depression and Debt

2007-11-24T14:47:00.002-05:00

Today's Topic: Bipolar Disorder and Debt

For those with bipolar disorder, manic-induced spending can be a devastating problem that results in substantial debt and sometimes even personal bankruptcy. I am a women with bipolar disorder who also has a degree in psychology. My disorder is presently under control after years of struggling. Here is what I've learned, through experience, about bipolar disorder and creation of debt.

Treat the Root of the Problem First

If you, or a loved one, have piles of debt as a result of manic depression, the very first thing that needs to be done is to get treatment for the bipolar. See a psychiatrist, get on the appropriate medications and stay on them. Bipolar can't be overcome with mere willpower, it is an illness. The sooner you being managing your disorder, the sooner you can begin tackling the debt that you've generated.

Getting Help With Your Debt

If you have a sizable debt, one of the best things that you can do to manage and eliminate it is to enlist the help of a debt consolidation service. But choose wisely. There are many services out there. Evaluate a few programs, and also use the better business bureau website to investigate any services that you are considering. Non-profits are the most trustworthy, but an ".org" website doesn't mean that the site is non-profit. So really do your homework before selecting a debt consolidation program. To help manage my debt, I used Consolidated Credit, and it worked well for me, but this was years ago, when the debt consolidation industry was new. There are probably many more options today, and with the country in economic crises, there is also no shortage of scams.

How a Debt Consolidation Service Can Help

A debt consolidation service can assist you in getting a lower interest rates on your credit card debt. These services also typically prohibit you from getting new credit cards (They may dump you if you try to register for a new card). The lower interest rate and single payment can make it easier to quickly pay down your debt. They also organize your payments so that you are always paying off the highest interest debt first.

Early in my struggle with manic depression, my spending was WAY out of control. I had around 30K in debt. This wasn't a student loan or secure debt, such as a home or car loan. This was a debt based on buying things I didn't need while I was in a manic state. It took more than five years to pay off my debt, but I did it with the help of a consolidation service and listening to a lot of Suze Orman (finance guru) books on tape. You can get your bipolar under control and get out of debt too.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6.5 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

Bipolar Disorder and Sleep

2007-11-23T16:53:00.001-05:00

Today's Topic: Why Getting Enough Sleep Is Critical for those
with Bipolar Disorder

In the last post I mentioned how, in a hypomanic state, someone with bipolar disorder can feel energized and not want to sleep.

Lack of Sleep Can Trigger Mania
Reduced sleep isn't merely a symptom of mania, getting too little sleep can actually precipitate manic and hypomanic episodes. Research has revealed that up to 65 percent of bipolar patients who had a manic episode had experienced a disruption in their sleep routine prior to the episode.

Even Just a Small Change In Sleep Routine Can Be a Problem
And it doesn't have to be a dramatic change in your bedtime routine. Manic episodes can result from something as simple as staying up extra late to watch a little more TV to more serious disruptions to your routine brought about by some kind of dramatic, life-changing event.

Stop the Insomnia-Mania Cycle From Escalating
Once a sleep-deprived person swings toward mania, he or she may then feel even less need for sleep. This mania-insomnia cycle can then continue to make the mania worse. So definitely speak to your psychiatrist.psychologist if you find yourself starting to keep late hours and feeling the manic chaotic energy begin to build.

Moodie Moment
Once when i was in a hypomanic-insomniac state, I painted the entire basement in a night. May sound productive, but my mania excalated and I became very dysfuntional, with racing thoughts, jitters, pressured speech (talking FAST) and severe irritability. It wasn't fun.

So next time you find yourself, at 1 a.m., trying to choose between painting the basement or going to bed...catch some Zs!

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

Are You Manic Depressive? What you must do.

2007-11-23T12:24:00.002-05:00

If you are reading this blog, I assume that you are:

interested in bipolar / manic depressive disorder
may have manic depressive disorder
know someone who has manic depressive disorder

So I thought that the best post to start with would be the basics...what you absolutely must do if you or someone you know is bipolar.

Bipolar vs. Manic Depression
Before I give you the short list, just some clarification on terminology. You will see me using the terms 'bipolar' and 'manic depression' interchangeably. As I explained in my first entry, I prefer the term 'manic depression' because I think it better describes what it feels like to have this disorder. However, 'bipolar disorder' is the terminology used by professional mental health care providers. So both terms essentially refer to the same disorder. Use the one that you prefer.

What You Need to Do Right Now
If you (or someone you care about) has,or may have, bipolar disorder, her is the short list of 'musts':

1.See a mental health care professional.
What Is a Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a MD or DO who specializes in mental health. He/she can professionally assess your condition and prescribe medication.

What Is a Psychologist?
A psychologist is a PhD in mental health. He/she can provide professional counseling to help you cope with your disorder.
Who Do You See First?
You should see one of each, but, I feel that it is best to start with a psychiatrist so that he/she can help you find the right combination of medications to keep your disorder in check. A psychiatrist can also recommend a good psychologist for you to see next.

2. Get on, and stay on, medication for bipolar disorder.
When you are just beginning to recognize that you have manic depressive disorder, it is sometimes difficult to accept, and some people are resistant to the idea of taking medication.

If you do have bipolar disorder, you absolutely need to be on medication that will effectively regulate your symptoms. No exceptions.

Why it May Be Difficult to Take Your Meds When You Feel Good
Manic depressive disorder is an insidious, deceptive disorder that can, when you are 'up', make you fell as if you do not need (or want) medication. Moderate 'highs' (hypomania) sometimes feels good. You get a lot don't, have ideas flowing and don't feel that you need as much sleep. However the fun of hypomania can quickly escalate into the nightmare of a true manic episode with racing thoughts, irritability, difficulty concentrating and insomnia (sound familiar?). Don't be fooled by your disorder. Get on and stay on meds.

Why it May Be Difficult to Take Your Meds When You Feel Bad
When you are feeling depressed, you may by apathetic about taking meds. You feel so bad that everything is a colossal effort. You may feel like you don't deserve to feel better. Regardless of why, there are many reasons that someone who is profoundly depressed can find to justify not taking the meds that they need to feel better. If you regularly stay on your meds, they can help prevent you from getting to this point. If you are already at this point, take your meds anyway. Make the effort to call your psychiatrist and tell him/her that you are very depressed and having difficulty taking your meds. However you manage it, take your medication as prescribed.

An Ounce of Prevention...
It is the consistency of taking you medication that will help even out your swings in mood and will, over the long term, keep you on a more even keel.

Mooday
The time stamp on the post that I put up yesterday says that it was posted at 9:30 pm or so. Actually, I was working on and revising my post until the wee hours of this morning. What does that mean??

Hypomania!

Yesterday my Manic Depressive Self-Rating was a 7. I am feeling hypomanic; energetic, focused, don't want to sleep. I am taking my meds, but medication doesn't always make all bipolar symptoms disappear. The meds help, and make the disorder more manageable.

Tonight, my goal is to get to bead early. An today I will lay off the caffeine. Sleep, especially lack of it, can help launch a hypomainic state into a manic one, and I definitely don't want to go there. I'm probably a 7.5 on the scale today. Time to do what I can to put on the breaks!

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7.5 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .

New Manic Depressive Blog!

2007-11-23T00:38:00.000-05:00

What Is 'Manic Depressive Blog'?

I am a woman with manic depression. You can call me Moodie. My college education was in psychology. So I have the unusual perspective of academically understanding manic depression and very personally experiencing what it means to have this disorder on a day-to-day basis.

I'd like to utilize this perspective to help people better understand and live with manic depression.

What I plan to do in each of my blog postings includes:

Today's Topic
Moodie Moments: anecdotal information on how this disorder has effected me in the past
MooDay: a diary-like entry on how manic depression is affecting me each day
10-point scale ranking my mood that day (manic --> depressed)
A photo expressing how things are going that day

Why Not 'Bipolar Blog'?

Okay. So it may not be the current clinical terminology, but I am of the same (manic depressive)mind of Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, author of The Unquiet Mind. The term "bipolar" doesn't at all capture the experience of someone with this disorder. Manic depression is all about emotion and mood. Just because we are offered a 'new', less emotional terminology doesn't me we have to use it, and I choose not to.

George Carlin made the same point when he discussed the armed forces transition in battle-related terminology from "shell shock" to a less emotional "battle fatigue" and finally to a completely emotionless, highly-clinical "post-traumatic stress disorder." The term 'shell shock' is more accurate and descriptive.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .