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    Two Bipolar Chicks Guide To Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder
    Two Bipolar Chicks Guide To Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder
    Two Bipolar Chicks Guide To Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder
    Ebook187 pages2 hours

    Two Bipolar Chicks Guide To Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder

    By Wendy K. Williamson and Honora Rose

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    About this ebook

    From the “Two Bipolar Chicks”, Wendy K. Williamson and Honora Rose, comes this survival guide disguised as a low-key, how to manual. From their wellness vaults, they compiled three decades worth of tips for you. Filled with insightful anecdotes and personal viewpoints – which can differ – Wendy and Honora steer you through the swamps of bipolar disorder and teach you how to dodge the alligators.

    From advice on medication, to their own, personal journeys with acceptance, you’ll pick up tips on managing depression and mania. There is plenty of factual advice and information on treatments and tidbits for the novice, the pros and everyone in between. It could be an asset to anyone navigating the bipolar waters. Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder is the consummate bipolar mix of everything you’ll want - and need - inside.

    The most delicious part is it isn’t bogged down with scientific jargon, though they do explain what you need to know. You’ll hear more from the author you’ve grown to love and the co-author you soon will. It’s their personal insight that will make this a unique book. Divulging tidbits from manic sex and internet sites to how to not blow your life savings when in a manic episode, they blow the lid off telling it like it is.

    You wanted to know more and here it is! Wendy has also brought in her editor and partner Honora to double the fun. Wendy K. Williamson is the author of the best-selling, inspirational memoir I’m Not Crazy Just Bipolar. This is the book you wanted her to write next: more tips, more about wellness, more information. Voila! The Two Bipolar Chicks Guide To Wellness: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder was born.

    You’ll receive an education about treatments, including their own experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). You’ll learn the importance of medication management and that not all generics or doctors were created equal. They’ll tell you how crucial little details can be from pill trays to choosing your pharmacy to locking up the credit cards when manic. Wendy and Honora will tell you what has worked - and not worked - for them. This book is designed to fill in the gaps of the scientific ones and keep you entertained so you won’t fall asleep.

    Wendy K. Williamson has been positively reviewed by Publisher’s Weekly and National Alliance on Mental Illness’ The Advocate. Together, Wendy and Honora run The Red Bank Writers Group.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPost Hill Press
    Release dateJul 22, 2014
    ISBN9781618689764
    Author

    Wendy K. Williamson

    While studying at Virginia Tech, eight weeks before graduation, Wendy had her first manic episode. It was then she was diagnosed with bipolar type I. She graduated and worked in a number of fields until being downsized from corporate America. It was then she plugged in her laptop and wrote her memoir of honesty and hope: I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar. Her second book, entitled Two Bipolar Chicks Survival Guide: Tips for Living With Bipolar Disorder is due out in May of 2014. Wendy has written for: BP Magazine, Bipolar Disorder for Dummies: 2nd Edition and The Two River Times. Her book has been reviewed by Publisher's Weekly and National Alliance on Mental Illness' The Advocate. She is the founder of The Red Bank Writers Group and has been interviewed on over thirty radio stations. Wendy resides in Monmouth County, NJ with her two kitties and fiancé, burning out laptops to stay sane. Follow her @bipolarwendy and @twobipolarchicks. www.wendykwilliamson.com

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      Book preview

      Two Bipolar Chicks Guide To Survival - Wendy K. Williamson

      PRAISE FOR

      TWO BIPOLAR CHICKS GUIDE TO SURVIVAL

      I don’t know any psychologists or M.D.s, including myself, who could have written this book by the Two Bipolar Chicks. I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am. These Chicks have come up with every rule to save your life as you know it. Listen to what they say. The first thing I asked Wendy after I read the book is, ‘Can I send this to my daughter … right now!?’

      —DR. JAY CARTER,

      internationally best-selling author of five books,

      including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bipolar Disorder

      This is an incredible resource and edgy self-help guide about bipolar disorder which will soften the blow of the diagnosis, teach you how to cope and manage with the illness and help you navigate on a daily basis. This book is a must-read because it will save lives.

      —ANDY BEHRMAN,

      author of Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania

      "Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder is a must read for consumers and caregivers alike. Their 66 straight forward tips cover the topics and issues most pertinent to coping and managing bipolar disorder. Wendy and Honora offer a realistic and compassionate glimpse into their lives, giving the reader survival rules, hope, and encouragement."

      —MUFFY WALKER MSN,

      MBA founder & Chairman of International Bipolar Foundation,

      a psychiatric nurse and mother to a son with bipolar.

      "Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder is an excellent survival guide for navigating the complexities of the mental health care system. It is a unique self-help book that approaches the management of bipolar illness with a very practical approach. I especially recommend this book for patients, families, as well as ‘bipolar chicks.’"

      —ROBERT C. BRANSFIELD, M.D., DLFA PA

      Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry,

      Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School,

      Past President, New Jersey Psychiatric Association

      Two Bipolar Chicks’ straight forward approach to bipolar disorder is not only enlightening and refreshing, but encouraging! Compassionately, yet candidly, their knowledge and experience of bipolar disorder is clearly conveyed. Williamson and Rose’s no-nonsense guide expertly steers you through bipolar disorder from pill boxes, to manic sex, all the way to learning to find acceptance of the illness. More than a decade after my own diagnosis, I find these clear-cut tips are relevant and exactly what every bipolar person needs.

      —MRS. BIPOLARITY

      "In the late 1980’s, Dr. Ronald R. Fieve gave us Moodswing (Bantam Press, NYC, 1989). His work is still considered seminal in pioneering the utilization of lithium to treat manic depression. In the 90’s, Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison of John Hopkins blew the doors open when she self-disclosed her Manic Depressive and removed the stigma for millions of Americans with the publication of An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness (Alfred Knopf, NYC, 1995). The first decade of the new millennium brought us more scholarly and self-help books on bipolar illness than the past fifty years. Now we have Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder: a thorough, well researched, systematic and enjoyable resource for individuals and family members and friends trying to understand, live with, cope with, recover from, heal and thrive with the disease of bipolar illness. Professionals of all disciplines will be thrilled to have their work as a resource."

      —LAURA MADLYN HARRISON, MA, LCADC, CLEM

      • Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder •

      ………………

      WENDY K. WILLIAMSON and HONORA ROSE

      SMASHWORDS EDITION

      Copyright © 2014 by Wendy K. Williamson and Honora Rose,

      All Rights Reserved.

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      A POST HILL PRESS book

      Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder

      ISBN (trade paperback): 978-1-61868-975-7

      ISBN (eBook): 978-1-61868-976-4

      Cover Graphic, Two Bipolar Chicks Logo by: Kim Sillen www.kimsillen.com

      Photography by Robert Kern

      Interior design by Neuwirth & Associates, Inc.

      For more information: www.twobipolarchicks.com

      No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

      Digital book(s) (epub and mobi) produced by Booknook.biz.

      WENDY

      For Parker, Katie, Seamus, Megan and Devin,

      When I’m not around, know that I am hunkered at my desk writing, wishing I could spend more time with you. If only I could have it both ways. You complete our family with style and spunk and I love you madly.

      To my parents,

      What you have done for me can never be measured or summed up in a few sentences. You have no idea what your love and support over the years has done in keeping me alive and feeling loved. You’ve also taught me the value in hard work and perseverance which has come in handy. And mom, I owe you a special thanks for your willingness to read even the roughest of drafts with your cheerful attitude and red teacher’s pen. You’ve always made a fantastic first editor.

      HONORA

      To my mom and dad,

      You never gave up on me even when I gave up on myself. Many dark days you were there to assure me that everything would be okay. And you were always right. Your faith in me never wavered; you told me I could do anything I put my mind to. It is for that reason I am still here—doing well, happy, healthy and loving a life that a few years ago I could have only dreamt. Thank you for believing in me. I love you very much.

      To John Henry and Eleanor,

      The two brightest and happiest days of my life were the days each of you were born. You were, and always will be, shining stars in my heart and soul. John Henry, in you I see my fearlessness and determination. And Ellie, in you, my artistic free spirit. I wish for you to find what makes you happy. Life is too short for should haves or would haves. I love you both with all my heart. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and one day we will be together again.

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      We know this book wouldn’t have seen the light of day without our dynamic, super cool agent, Corinda. She knows the dreams business and we are proud to be part of her world. A huge thank you goes out to Anthony and Michael at Post Hill Press who took a chance on a couple of bipolar chicks at the inception of their company. Thank you to our editor Emilia for your precision and flow, and to the entire staff at Post Hill Press who added time and care to our book.

      A huge thank you goes out to Kim Sillen for her endless talents, devotion and willingness to drop her work on a dime for us. The best part of being able to work with you is staying close to our lifelong friendship that started with Izod shirts, tube socks and trips to Hilton Head.

      Thank you God for giving us each other, the goofiest bipolar chicks we know. You knew we needed laughter and constant hijinks in order to maintain any semblance of sanity. And we love you for that.

      CONTENTS

      Foreword by Dr. Jay Carter

      Introduction

      CHAPTER 1

      WHAT A PILL

      Tip One: The Trusty Pill Tray

      Tip Two: Don’t Leave Home Without It

      Tip Three: The Ziploc

      Tip Four: Managing Your Medication

      Tip Five: Side Effects

      Tip Six: Choosing Your Pharmacy

      Tip Seven: Medication Assistance

      CHAPTER 2

      NIGHTY NIGHT

      Tip Eight: Love Thy Sleep

      Tip Nine: Wind it Down

      Tip Ten: The Sweet Sound of Sleep

      Tip Eleven: Black-Out Shades

      CHAPTER 3

      DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND THE INES

      Tip Twelve: Illicit Drugs are a No-No

      Tip Thirteen: Limit or Eliminate Alcohol

      Tip Fourteen: 12-Step Groups

      Tip Fifteen: The Caffeine Blackout

      Tip Sixteen: Nicotine the Other Ine

      CHAPTER 4

      SEX, MONEY AND ROCK & ROLL

      Tip Seventeen: Manic Sex

      Tip Eighteen: Stay off the Sex Sites

      Tip Nineteen: Music for Mood

      Tip Twenty: Money Troubles

      CHAPTER 5

      DOCTORS AND YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

      Tip Twenty-One: Finding ‘the One’

      Tip Twenty-Two: Psychologists, LCADCs and More

      Tip Twenty-Three: Preparing For Appointments

      Tip Twenty-Four: Be Honest

      Tip Twenty-Five: Get Samples

      CHAPTER 6

      WELLNESS IS REWARDED

      Tip Twenty-Six: Minimize Stress

      Tip Twenty-Seven: Get Moving

      Tip Twenty-Eight: Try Vitamins

      Tip Twenty-Nine: Aromatherapy

      Tip Thirty: Candles Set the Mind

      Tip Thirty-One: Shower Power

      Tip Thirty-Two: Reward Yourself

      CHAPTER 7

      CREATE YOUR LIFE

      Tip Thirty-Three: Find Your Creative Edge

      Tip Thirty-Four: Start Something

      Tip Thirty-Five: Get Out & Have Fun!

      Tip Thirty-Six: Volunteer

      Tip Thirty-Seven: Writing and Journaling

      CHAPTER 8

      ORGANIZATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

      Tip Thirty-Eight: Do Your Research

      Tip Thirty-Nine: Be Proactive

      Tip Forty: Make To Do Lists

      Tip Forty-One: Stick to a Routine

      Tip Forty-Two: Put on Your Bipolar Glasses

      CHAPTER 9

      SUNSHINE

      Tip Forty-Three: Consider the Summer Sun

      Tip Forty-Four: Light Box in the Winter

      Tip Forty-Five: Pet Your Pets

      CHAPTER 10

      ATTITUDE COUNTS: MAKE IT A POSITIVE ONE

      Tip Forty-Six: Accepting Our Illness

      Tip Forty-Seven: Dream

      Tip Forty-Eight: Make a Gratitude List

      Tip Forty-Nine: Let Love In

      CHAPTER 11

      TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES

      Tip Fifty: When It’s Time to Check In

      Tip Fifty-One: ECT: It’s Electric…and Effective!

      Tip Fifty-Two: TMS and rTMS

      Tip Fifty-Three: VNS

      Tip Fifty-Four: IPSRT

      Tip Fifty-Five: DBT

      Tip Fifty-Six: CBT

      CHAPTER 12

      BIPOLAR DEFINED

      Tip Fifty-Seven: Getting to Know Us

      Tip Fifty-Eight: Know Your Type

      Tip Fifty-Nine: Hold On

      CHAPTER 13

      SUPPORT YOURSELF

      Tip Sixty: Outside Resources

      Tip Sixty-One: SSD

      Tip Sixty-Two: Find Bipolar Buddies

      Tip Sixty-Three: Phone a Friend

      CHAPTER 14

      THE END

      Tip Sixty-Four: It Will Get Better

      Tip Sixty-Five: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

      Tip Sixty-Six: Have a Little Patience

      About the Authors

      FOREWORD

      Hats Off to the Bipolar Chicks

      by Dr. Jay Carter, Psy.D.

      International Best-selling author including

      The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bipolar Disorder

      I don’t know any psychologists or M.D.s, including myself, who could have written this book by the Two Bipolar Chicks. Over the past nine years I have given trainings in bipolar disorder for over thirty thousand mental health professionals. At every training I have stated that the missing link between the science and treatment of bipolar disorder is … the practicalities.

      My mother had bipolar disorder (BiPD), so I was raised by someone with BiPD, and one of my daughters has BiPD, so I raised someone with BiPD. If this book was available, it would have made life 1,000% better for my mother, daughter, and myself. I have written five international books, including one best seller. But to be honest, I don’t enjoy writing books. It’s just something I felt led to do. I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am that Wendy K. Williamson, BiPD and Honora A. Rose, BiPD have written this book.

      The Two Bipolar Chicks have asked me to write about scientific phenomena, so I am going to give you the most significant phenomenological information I have found thus far, backed up with brain scan activity and latest research on executive functions.

      The most noted discovery that I have found in people with BiPD is the loss of executive function during mania. That would be the loss of insight, foresight, hindsight, and lack of ability to see the consequences of their actions. My best phrase for this is that they are not seeing themselves. A mere intellectual understanding of the consequences is not real without vision. When a person is manic, they may be thinking six times faster than you. They may get impatient with you for talking so slowly. They are brilliant. Don’t argue with them: they will win. But they lack the ability to see the consequences of their actions, or the context of the situation. The prefrontal lobe is that part of us that enables us to see ourselves. No other mammal on earth has this ability.

      During mania there is a flood of activity in the prefrontal lobe. Racing thoughts knock out the ability to see the bigger picture of things with overwhelming details.

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