Many of you know that agitation and irritation are often symptoms of bipolar disorder. There is a profound difference between spending time with someone who is happy manic verses angry manic. Mania encompasses an array of behaviors and characteristics.
I recently did an interview with Tony Gates on his morning talk show, 1340 AM (www.wjrwam.com). I’m still beating myself up because when Tony asked me to describe bipolar symptoms, I forgot to mention agitation and irritation when we talked about mania. Once I left the station, I wished I had a second chance to clarify his question. I’m agitated just thinking about it.
Here I go again, trying to figure out a solution. I just decided to send Tony an e-mail to thank him for the interview and I’ll clarify it then. Writing about how I feel in this blog entry is helping to melt my frustration. Tony and I had a good conversation about bipolar disorder and I should be focusing on everything that went well during the interview. Readjusting my thinking is working–I feel better already.
Occasionally, my work makes me agitated. I go through periods when I am extremely driven. As a result, I increase my goals and activities necessary to reach them. I have to make a conscious effort to prioritize and methodically complete each task. My stress turns into satisfaction the closer I get to achieving my goals.
Recognizing triggers is an effective way to reduce agitation and other bipolar symptoms. That’s a topic of its own…
Tags: agitation, angry manic, bipolar, bipolar and pregnant, bipolar depression, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder and agitation, bipolar disorder and pregnancy, depression, driven, goals, happy manic, hypomania, irritation, Kristin Finn, mania, manic depression, manic depressive illness, mental health, mood disorder, moods, readjusting my thinking, stress, triggers
Sometimes I get overwhelmed just thinking about my responsibilities. Fred, Katherine, and Holly are my number one priorities. Being a wife and mother feels like a full-time job. I’m sure many of you can relate.
My career as an investment advisor is also challenging. Writing daily and weekly goals gives me direction and structure. After prioritizing them, I try to tackle the tasks that are toughest. It feels so good to check items off my list! This technique works especially well when I feel like I don’t know where to begin. Getting started is half the battle. Completing 5 out of the 8 items is more than I’d do if I had not planned my day. I consider that a success.
When I’m depressed, I have to adjust my goals. I’m thankful my office is in our home. I make coffee every night for Katherine and me so it’s ready to brew each morning. Drinking coffee helps motivate me to work. It’s a treat. On mornings when “dread” imprisons me, I have to tell myself to work in my office for “only” 1 to 2 hours. I feel paralyzed when I dwell on all of the things that I need to do. Once I start working, time flies, and I start feeling better. Activity increases my self-esteem.
Readjusting goals while hypomanic takes insight and descipline. More about that later…
Tags: bipolar, bipolar and pregnant, bipolar depression, bipolar disorder, daily goals, decrease bipolar symptoms, depressed, depression, goal setting, goals, Kristin Finn, manic depression, manic depressive illness, mental health, mood disorder, self-esteem, setting goals
Happy New Year!
I believe that support groups compliment medication and talk therapy. My friend Catie and I lead the local Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) support group. We had a thought provoking meeting this week. It reminded me of how thankful I am to “visit” with people who understand the challenges of having a mood disorder. The perspective of supporters is also significant.
When I was pregnant for Katherine and Holly, I didn’t know support groups existed. Because I went off my medication from preconception through postpartum it was difficult to monitor my mania and depression. Sometimes I felt like the only person that really understood me was my psychiatrist. My emotions and moods seemed like they were all jumbled up like in a blender.
I suggest a support group for anyone affected by a mood disorder. Attending meetings during my pregnancies would have helped me know that others could relate to me. So often it was as if I was on an island alone trapped with my racing thoughts and anxiety. I felt disconnected from people. Other times I felt balanced. Exchanging ideas and experiences with others who “have been there” is so helpful!
I challenge everyone affected by depression or bipolar disorder to participate in a support group. The DBSA website (www.dbsalliance.org) can help you find a local chapter. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is another organization that provides support, education, and advocacy. Their website (www.nami.org) is also a good place to find local support.
Tags: advocacy, anxiety, bipolar, bipolar and depression support groups, bipolar and pregnant, bipolar depression, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder and pregnancy, bipolar disorder support groups, bipolar support groups, DBSA, depression, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, hypomania, Kristin Finn, mania, mental health, mood disorder, moods, NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, postpartum, preconception, racing thoughts, support groups, talk therapy, www.dbsalliance.org, www.nami.org
The holiday season is a very thankful time for me. The first thing that comes to mind is my husband Fred and my family. As I’m writing this blog, Fred, Katherine, Holly, our new dog Moxie, and I are on our way to visit my parents and brother near Suttons Bay, Michigan. The hillsides are covered with snow and it’s beautiful. My parents live on Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan) and I can personally relate to the bay because its beauty changes regularly similar to my moods.
Katherine, my oldest daughter had her eighteenth birthday on December 8th. I’m blown away that she’s an adult! Because of her bipolar disorder, she’s been through so much “tough stuff”. I believe that she’s approaching a “sweet spot” in her life because of what she’s learned from her past experiences. My philosophy is that you are who you are today because of what you’ve gone through in the past.
Holly, my fifteen year old daughter is one of Katherine’s biggest supporters. Listening to them laugh is priceless! Bipolar disorder affects everyone in the family and Holly has been with Katherine every step of the way.
Together, we have had both incredibly wonderful and challenging times. I believe that the best is yet to come.
Have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!
Tags: bipolar, bipolar disorder, Kristin Finn, manic depression, manic depressive illness, mood disorder, mood swings, moods
I can’t believe I’m about to share a coping strategy that only a few people know about. Late April a crew from Life Focus Television came to our home for a day and a half to interview Fred, Katherine, and me about the family dynamics of living with bipolar disorder. The shoot went well, but my hypomania snuck up on me after the first day. Who am I kidding? I started feeling it as soon as we scheduled the shoot.
Once the crew left the second day, my head was spinning! I wanted to remember all the details from the shoot. I was so thankful to get together with a good friend for lunch so I could “get it all out.” I didn’t want to talk to anyone else about this awesome experience because it was too unbelievable. Sometimes I have a hard time believing that remarkable things actually happen unless I writed them down in detail. I was shaking as I described the experience to my friend.
I was still wired when I got home. My mom called and I didn’t even want to tell her about our exciting adventure with the television crew because it was too hard to explain…my mind felt jumbled up. So, I managed my racing thoughts the most effective way I know how–by journaling. Until recently, I didn’t even know I was relying on this method to help me manage a hypomanic phase. It was automatic.
Well here goes. I typed out a three and a quarter page summary of the shoot. I included details from each interview and shoot, such as “Interview with Kristin: Setting – Dining Room. Discussed life prior to and after my diagnosis, how I was diagnosed, etc.” I summarized each segment of the interviews. I’ll admit it…I even included what I was wearing for each shoot!
Lastly, I furiously typed the crew’s names and titles, and a summary of the conversations I had with the CEO/President. I was so impressed with everyone’s integrity! Their goal is similar to mine: to educate and provide hope for those with mental health conditions.
After I “documented” everything I felt so much better. The intensity of my racing thoughts decreased…my mind and body started to relax. I knew I didn’t have to remember any of the details because I could refer to my summary. Writing or journaling helps me compartmentalize my thoughts. What helps you ease your racing mind?
The Life Focus program will air in the near future on PBS and Trinity Broadcasting Network. I’ll keep you posted.
Tags: bipolar diagnosis, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder family dynamics, coping strategy, depression, hypomania, journal, Kristin Finn, Life Focus Television, mania, manic, manic depression, manic depressive illness, mental health conditions, racing thoughts, Trinity Broadcasting Network
I kept a “pregnancy journal” from preconception through postpartum for both pregnancies. I relied on my written thoughts as part of the process to help Fred and me figure out if we wanted to make all the necessary changes to our lifestyle. It included brainstorming about leaving my job as a pharmaceutical representative. I knew that I could always refer to my journal to help keep me focused on our goal of having a baby.
As my psychiatrist was reducing my medication, it was natural for me to record my intentions, thoughts, and behaviors to help monitor mood swings. Back then, the majority of people I knew weren’t aware that I have bipolar disorder and I desperately wanted to have a system of checks and balances. I felt like “the world” knew that I was off my medication because it took so much concentration to appear to be “normal”. Tracking my goals, progress, and struggles gave me a sense of control and that’s exactly what I needed–especially when I felt it slipping away.
A traditional journal is not for everyone. Be creative; there are lots of ways to help organize and monitor your moods. For example, mood charts are quick and easy to use. More about that later.
Tags: bipolar and pregnant, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder and pregnancy, bipolar medication, journal, Kristin Finn, mood charts, mood disorder, mood swings, moods, postpartum, preconception, pregnancy
Welcome to my new blog!
I learned so much about coping with and managing my bipolar symptoms while pregnant with my teenage daughters. Katherine is nearly eighteen and Holly is fifteen.
In 1989 there was little information about bipolar disorder and pregnancy. My husband Fred and I thought it was best for me to go off my bipolar medication from preconception through postpartum. We made so many important decisions before I went off medication. Everyone’s situation is unique. It’s important to consult with your doctors and support team before making any medication changes. For many women, staying on medication or adapting their medication works best.
Managing my symptoms is an ongoing process. From my standpoint, the degree of my signs and symptoms varies depending on the stresses in my life. While off medication, my symptoms became worse. Journaling is still one of the most effective ways for me to manage my moods. It’s funny that when I’m feeling balanced, I don’t feel the need to journal.
I’ve been journaling since I was ten years old. I kept a daily diary from ages ten to twenty. It’s interesting to read them now because I captured my “goody-two-shoes” years, tumultuous teens prior to diagnosis, and the drastic change once diagnosed and treated.
Tags: bipolar and pregnant, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder and pregnancy, bipolar medication, Kristin Finn, moods, postpartum, preconception, signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, signs and syptoms of bipolar disorder
