Two Lives

Just had family depart after a week long visit. Glad to have things back to normal, especially since they do not know about my Bipolar and ADHD diagnoses. It feels weird, kinda like having 2 different lives!

Living with Bipolar Disorder:
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Bipolar-Disorder-Hitting-Despair/dp/1489544658/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1372605114&sr=8-18&keywords=living+with+bipolar+disorder

What Are You Sacrificing for Good Healthcare?

You cannot put a price on good health, but know that finding and maintaining good quality healthcare will cost money. Your psychiatrist appointments, therapy sessions, and medications all require money. You must be willing to devote the funds necessary to make sure you receive good quality care.

There may be things you need to give up for good healthcare in exchange for the services and medications you are receiving. For example, I quit drinking, which was a huge expense every month when you add up the costs of all the drinks at home and out to dinner. I spend less on our mental healthcare bills combined than I used to spend on alcohol. While that seems incredible to believe, it is true. Chances are, if you are suffering from Bipolar Disorder, you are also engaging in some kind of substance abuse. Giving up the cost of that substance just might cover the cost of good, high-quality mental healthcare.

 Even if it is not substance abuse you need to give up, there are probably other things in your life worth giving up that are just not as important. Money is a factor that you need to account for, and do not sacrifice quality to save a few bucks. Your health is way too important, as it impacts all other aspects of your life.

What are you sacrificing? 

 

The Bipolar Med See-Saw...loved this cartoon :)

Suicidal Thoughts

Having a med that works great to control hypomania is a two-edged sword! I have not experienced hypomania in almost 4 months now. I miss it!

Hypomania is something I miss on so many levels. It controlled my life, and in so many good ways. It kept me ahead of deadlines and what ultimately lead me to the top of my career-game.

During hypomania, the rest of the world goes away. All of your talents and thoughts center on the task at at hand, and the results are amazing. When you are in a hypomanic state, you do not need much sleep. In fact, I normally got by on about three to four hours per night, four to five nights in a row. And after each night, I felt like I had a good eight hours of sleep, which is normal for a hypomanic episode. 

The yearning for hypomania is really more of a need to “feel alive again”.  To me, my depression seems more like some sort of a cognitive exercise than an emotional response to things around me. While I would never go through with my suicidal thoughts, I just want to escape this new "presence".

Living with Bipolar Disorder

Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing

I was fortunate enough to have some genetic testing done through my psychiatrist. This was performed to see what specific medications my body responds to best and also how my body metabolizes medication. Fortunately, my doctor’s office was in a group for some trial studies, so I did not have to pay for this service. 

The results were of great value. For one, I found out that I am an “ultra-metabolizer”. This basically means that I need higher dosages of medication than your average person. So, when dosages of medications seem high, I understand why. My body just metabolizes medication quickly.

It also showed what medications I do not respond to well, such as Lexapro. My general practitioner had me on this common drug for depression, but I was able to get off of it, not only because I do not respond well to it, but because I now have other medications on board.

At least I have that report to help all my doctors and me know what medications my body will respond to better than others. And I also know that I will need higher dosages of medication than most people because of how fast my body metabolizes it. 

So, if you can have genetic testing done, I recommend it!

My new book is now available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1489544658/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Do You Exercise to Help Control Depression?

Here is a good news article on exercise and residual depression:

http://bipolarnews.org/?p=1680



My new book, Living with Bipolar Disorder, is now available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1489544658/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Life Charting

Here is a good article on life charting if it is something you have or are considering:
http://bipolarnews.org/?page_id=175


Living with Bipolar Disoorder: My Story About Rising to the Top of My Game to Hitting the Bottom ofDespair 

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Bipolar-Disorder-Hitting-Despair/dp/1489544658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372003618&sr=8-1&keywords=Fiske-Jorgensen

Dealing with Family

I have family arriving this weekend who don't know about my diagnoses of BPII and ADHD. Wondering how the effects of the meds will change their image of me, if at all. This will be interesting, as friends say they can see a difference in me.

Living with Bipolar Disorder: My Story about Rising to the Top of My Game to Hitting the Bottom of Despair

My new book is now available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1489544658/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

My Story about Rising to the Top of My Game and Hitting the Bottom of Despair This book describes my own personal triumphs and struggles with Bipolar Disorder, coupled with ADHD. I have found some good books and articles about the disorder; but unfortunately, there is still a great deal left unknown about it, even among the most educated in the field. So it is quite an undertaking to find anything to help further your understanding of it or how to cope with it. Along those same lines, very few people are willing to tell their story, mainly because of the stigmas attached to it. The primary reason I wrote this book is to help others struggling with Bipolar Disorder. Perhaps, if you have been diagnosed with it, you can find a gold nugget along the way that is helpful, or perhaps you can relate to my entire story. The other reason for writing my story is to help me find some clarity and a better comprehension of what I now have to manage for the rest of my life. If you are reading this to help someone you love with Bipolar Disorder, I hope that this book will help you to grasp it a little better, but be cautious in knowing that each person has his or her own struggles and stories to tell. This book is just my story. I purposefully omitted all names from the book for confidentiality purposes and to respect others’ privacy. Nothing detracts from the stories, but once you read them, you will understand my reasons for this decision. Throughout the book, I also share some valuable resources that I have found along the way that have helped me better understand and cope with the disorder. I hope they help you too.

Now available on Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMGKGFIhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMGKGFI

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What Are You Sacrificing for Good Quality Mental Healthcare?

The Cost if Quality Healthcare

You cannot put a price on good health, but know that finding and maintaining good quality healthcare does cost money. Your psychiatrist appointments, psychotherapy sessions, and medications all require money.You must be willing to devote the funds necessary to make sure you receive good quality care.

 Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Even if your insurance covers part of it, there will be some out-of-pocket expenses. In my case, my health insurance plan covers most of my medication expenses, and my co-pay for my psychiatric appointments is relatively low. But, my psychotherapy sessions are not covered by my insurance. However, I would never seek out another therapist. She is an excellent therapist who adds significant value to my quality of life, and I would not even attempt to find a different one.

Substance Abuse

You may abusing certain substances you need to give up in exchange for the services and medications you are receiving. For example, I quit drinking alcohol, which was a huge expense every month when you add up the costs of all the drinks at home and out to dinner. In fact, I spend less on my mental healthcare bills combined per month than I used to spend on alcohol. While that seems incredible to believe, it is true.

So, it might be helpful for you to consider some things you can give up in exchange for better healthcare. Chances are, if you are suffering from Bipolar Disorder, you are also engaging in some kind of substance abuse. Giving up the cost of that substance just might cover the cost of good, high-quality mental healthcare.

Other Things to Give Up
Even if it is not substance abuse you need to give up, there are probably other things in your life worth giving up that are just not as important. I know plenty of people who spend $5 or more per day on coffee or other drinks. That can add up to well over $100 per month. Other people spend money on clothes every month that they don’t really “need”, which can run into hundreds of dollars.

The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that money is a factor that you need to account for, and do not sacrifice quality mental healthcare to save a few bucks. Healing your mind is way too important, as it impacts all other aspects of your life.

Living with Bipolar Disorder: https://tsw.createspace.com/title/4294628

Who to Tell, When, and Why about being Bipolar

Learn how to create your "support team" in my new book:
https://www.createspace.com/4294628

My Story About My Rise to the the Top of My Game and Hitting the Bottom of Despair

https://www.createspace.com/4294628https://www.createspace.com/4294628

Book Available for Purchase

Living with Bipolar Disorder is ready for purchase:
https://www.createspace.com/4294628

Stable: A Place Where Horses Live

Benefits of Meditation

This is an interesting read:
http://bipolarnews.org/?p=1825

Resisting Bipolar Treatment Help

http://psychcentral.com/lib/2013/some-ideas-for-handling-treatment-resistant-bipolar-disorder/

“Before you start to judge me, step into my shoes and walk the life I’m living, and if you get as far as I am, just maybe you will see how strong I am.” ~ unknown

Good overview of bipolar disorder

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/bipolar-disorder/DS00356.html?iref=allsearch

Living with Bipolar Disorder:
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Bipolar-Disorder-Hitting-Despair/dp/1489544658/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372422730&sr=1-1&keywords=Fiske+Jorgensen+books

Bipolar or ADHD

Is it ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?

For addtional For more information and resources: Living with Bipoar Disorder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1489544658/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1372088515&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

ADHD and Bipolar Disorder are commonly diagnosed together. As terrible as the word “comorbid” sounds, it simply means that two or more conditions co-exist. So if you have both disorders, how do you know which one is affecting you at a particular point in time when both disorders are characterized by similar symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and disengagement?

 Behavioral vs. Mood State

ADHD is more behavioral in nature, while Bipolar has more to do with your mood state. One way to tell is that ADHD tends to last all day while Bipolar symptoms cycle on and off. So, you might try to determine if your symptoms have been persistent all day or they are just coming into play at a certain time of the day.

Triggers

Both disorders can also be environmentally “triggered”. However, ADHD triggers tend to be more frequent and minimal, like the person in meeting who keeps interrupting, so you disengage because you simply cannot bear to listen to him or her talk any longer. Since Bipolar Disorder has more to do with your mood state, symptoms are normally triggered by larger events, such as already having a stressful morning because you had a flat tire. Therefore, you are already in a mood state going into the meeting that predisposes you to disengagement and a lack of focus, no matter who is speaking or on what topic.

Sometimes both disorders may be at play at the same time. For example, you might be packing for a business trip that you are not looking forward to attending. Small distracting triggers like stopping to watch something on TV may keep you from packing. And at the same time, the stress of thinking about your business trip may put you in a mood state that slows your progress towards getting ready for the trip. And that has more to do with you Bipolar Disorder. It may seem easy to grasp on paper, but it can be very difficult to distinguish between BPII and ADHD when you are in the middle of a situation where you are feeling agitated, impatient, or just unable to focus, like the example of packing for the business trip.

Finding a Reputable Psychiatrist

Since the symptoms are so similar, and they can be difficult to determine on your own sometimes, it is imperative to find reputable psychiatrist who is skilled and experienced at diagnosing and treating both disorders. For starters, you might walk away with the wrong diagnosis. And treating them together is another complexity. A drug that helps control ADHD may worsen symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and vice versa. Having the right medications for both disorders is essential, so they can control the symptoms of both disorders and also work well together well.

Educating Yourself

You can read also books and articles on both disorders, just be sure they are from reputable sources. Two books I have found to be very helpful are Driven to Distraction by Hollowell, M.D. and Ratey, M.D. for ADHD and Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Caponigro, MA; Lee, MA; Johnson, Ph.D. and Kring, Ph.D. These books helped me better understand and recognize the symptoms along with using different coping mechanisms. Also, be patient with yourself, as time and experience will also help.

For more information and resources read Living with Bipolar
https://tsw.createspace.com/title/4294628

An Unquiet Mind

If you haven't read An Unquiet Mind by Jamison, you're missing out on one of the best books out there. You can get it on Amazon, and get a sneak peek with the "see inside the book"feature.
http://www.amazon.com/An-Unquiet-Mind-Memoir-Madness/dp/0679763309/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1370828634&sr=8-4&keywords=Bipolar+disorder

Bipolar Network News (www.bipolarnews.org)

This is a great source for all kinds of information on the latest news and treatment, along wih links for resources, risk factors, and peer-reviewed published articles.

Bipolar Network News is both an online clearinghouse of information about mood disorders, and a quarterly print and email publication. They updates on the latest research about bipolar disorder, gleaned from abstracts, meetings, and pre-publication sources.  Their aim to shed light on emerging trends in research and treatment of bipolar illness in order to help educate patients, family members, interested laypeople, physicians, and other professionals in the field.  The newsletter is available free of charge to all who request it.