Bipolar Disorder

How I Am #MoreThanADiagnosis This World Bipolar Day 2016

March 30, 2016 By lyndsinreallife 4 Comments

Every year on March 30, the day of Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday, we celebrate World Bipolar Day; a day to bring the world population information about bipolar disorders that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the illness. World Bipolar Day (WBD) is an initiative of International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD), and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). This year’s theme is #MoreThanADiagnosis.

2016 marks the third World Bipolar Day. You can read my past blog posts here: 2014 (my story) and 2015 (how to get through the first steps after diagnosis). I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in October of 2008, and I’ve been a volunteer with IBPF for a year and a half. I am the social media manager of IBPF’s Instagram account.

On WBD, people from all over the world share their stories, along with images of themselves holding a sign stating they are something other than their diagnosis. Some hold signs saying they love someone with bipolar or support those living with the disorder. You’ll be able to find all the photos (that were submitted) on IBPF’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, including mine!

My boyfriend Tim and I holding our signs for WBD

Since this year’s theme is #MoreThanADiagnosis, I thought I’d share how I’m just that: more than a diagnosis.

Here are some ways I don’t let my diagnosis define me:

I work. Granted, I don’t work full-time. I actually applied for disability last month, BUT I can do freelance/consultant-type work.
I have a steady, romantic relationship. In the past, bipolar would invade my relationships. But now that I’m stronger, I don’t let it. My boyfriend (pictured above) and I are very open and honest about our feelings, and we have great communication. Those things are ESSENTIAL for a good relationship. But trust me, it doesn’t come easy. We work at it every single day.
I graduated college. While we need and crave schedule and routine, it’s also hard for some people with bipolar. I can handle a scheduled life, but not a routine one. I get bored, and then I cycle. Despite missing one too many classes (and barely passing one semester), I graduated cum laude with a BA in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
I’ve found stability (time and time again). Stability doesn’t usually last forever, and I still cycle weekly, with the seasons, etc. However, the episodes aren’t as severe, and I guess that, to me, is stability. I’m able to function in daily life, which wasn’t always the case.
I’m a good friend. Okay, I’ll admit, I’m probably not the best friend ever. I tend to cancel plans, be late, forget to ask how they’re doing… but I’m a great listener. I give advice when asked. I like to try new things. I’m totally down for just hanging out and talking.
I volunteer. In my experience (and according to studies), I’ve found that volunteering helps improve my mental health. I shift my focus from myself to others, which helps me put things in perspective. It also helps me to get out of my head, which tends to be an issue. I volunteer for International Bipolar Foundation (since September 2014), and like I said before, I manage their Instagram account (@intlbipolar). It is so rewarding reading everyone’s comments and photos and things IBPF is tagged in. Helping people is one of the best ways to help myself.

This World Bipolar Day, I invite you to share your story and how you’re #MoreThanADiagnosis. Together, we can educate everyone on bipolar disorder and help end stigma once and for all.

You can find tons of shareable resources here!

Find me on Facebook (fan/personal), Instagram, and Twitter. Read my WBD posts and share your stories with me! 🙂

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to health & happiness,

An Episode of Bipolar Depression, In The Raw

November 5, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

You know that quote by Laurence J. Peter, “Speak when you are angry, and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret”? Well, this post may be along those lines, except delete angry and add depressed.

I’m going to share about my experience of the current bipolar episode I’m in, and I’m hoping that come morning, I won’t think to myself, “oh geeze, what was I thinking?” I feel as if a big part of that thinking is because of the stigma attached to mental illness. Is me sharing about this episode too taboo? Either way, that’s a conversation for a different time and I’m going ahead with this post.

Bipolar is a sneaky B-word. It’s challenging enough trying to manage bipolar disorder; throw in random mood swings, and you’ve got yourself A LOT to handle. Yesterday, I was as happy as a clam (what does that even mean?). I mean sure, it was raining and cold and it just started getting dark at 4:59pm (ugh), but I went out with my boyfriend to a fancy social get-together in the Hollywood Hills, met some friends, and enjoyed my evening.

But come this morning, it was practically a full 180 (hence why it’s called bipolar). I had trouble sleeping (even more so than I usually do), and once I woke up, I knew getting out of bed would be hard. I called off work right away (I am SO grateful to have a job where my employer is understanding; many jobs/employers aren’t). For some, I’m sure it sounds silly to have such difficulty getting out of bed. But I’m not talking about it’s too cold, I’m so comfortable, I don’t want to work difficulty; I’m talking the mere thought of pulling the covers off is exhausting, I don’t think I can make it to the shower, I’ll break down crying once I get to the kitchen difficulty. And it’s serious.

During my worst depression episode in 2013, I barricaded myself in my living room for almost 6 months. My boyfriend took the mattress off the bed and set it on the living room floor for me (that was the only room with AC). I watched shows on my laptop, and if I was lucky, I’d take a shower. It was exhausting. And horrible. And the deepest despair you could ever imagine. I cried literally every single day.

Today, I tried to make myself do things. I made myself go outside (it was sunny today), especially before it got dark. [Side note: daylight savings time strongly affects those with bipolar disorder and mental health conditions. Circadian rhythms play a huge role in bipolar disorder. When it gets dark earlier, depression tends to set in.] I took a shower. I played with my dog, I made sure to eat frequently (blood sugar affects moods, as well; hence why people get hangry). I wanted to clean up so badly (my apartment is a disaster), but I could only muster up the energy to lay on the couch (and simply sit there, because barely anything brings comfort when depressed).

I felt/feel as if I could break down crying at any moment. I was telling my boyfriend about what I was feeling, and my body was trying to get me to cry, but I fought it. Sometimes crying helps, but I simply didn’t feel like dealing with it. It feels like I have a storm of sadness and anxiety swirling in my chest and my head. I can’t make sense of anything.

Luckily, I’ve learned to manage my bipolar (after much trial-and-error) since diagnosis in 2008. Because of that, I know I will get out of this by taking it easy, doing only what I need, meeting with my therapist, and probably my psychiatrist to tweak any medications if need-be. However, even knowing that, it still hurts like hell.

I guess there really isn’t much point to this post, except that I wanted to share about it in the moment that it was happening. It’s often hard to describe depression when you’re no longer in it.

I will get better, as I always do. And to everyone reading this who has bipolar and/or depression, I want you to know that you’ll get better, too. As my therapist once said (and I turned into my own quote),

“Pay attention to how you feel, and then take one step to help you feel better; whether it’s staying in bed a little longer, going for a walk, or eating a pint of ice cream.”

To happiness, stability, and everything in between,

Bipolar Disorder Events Health

World Health Day 2015 + New Medication Checklist

April 7, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Did you know that today is World Health Day (brought to you by the World Health Organization)?! I feel like every day is health day really, because I strive to live a healthy lifestyle. However, there’s something so special about banding together with other like-minded people from around the world to celebrate a necessity and passion: health.

My most recent blog post was about World Bipolar Day (clearly I love world events!). In that post, I shared a guide of what steps to take after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder/a mental health condition. I talked about the medications I take and how they help me live a healthier, more stable life; but I didn’t mention anything about the steps to take when first being prescribed a medication. That in itself is a completely different topic.

I collaborated with the American Recall Center, a site devoted to drug, medical device recalls and FDA warning updates to inform you about medication safety. Their vision is: “To give pertinent information on FDA warnings for prescription drugs and medical devices. Through our extensive library of recalls and medical information, and our experienced editorial team, it is our mission to empower those who have been adversely affected.” If you are looking for someone to educate, trust, empower, and be an advocate for you, hop on over to their website for more details!

A Few Facts:

Clinicians have access to an armamentarium of more than 10,000 prescription medications, and nearly one-third of adults in the United States take 5 or more medications.
An adverse drug event (ADE) is defined as harm experienced by a patient as a result of exposure to a medication, and ADEs account for nearly 700,000 emergency department visits and 100,000 hospitalizations each year.
ADEs affect nearly 5% of hospitalized patients, making them one of the most common types of inpatient errors; ambulatory patients may experience ADEs at even higher rates.
Transitions in care are also a well-documented source of preventable harm related to medications.
*Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (website)

An adverse drug event is not always due to misuse of the medication by the patient; it can happen because a doctor prescribed the wrong medication, the pharmacist filled the wrong medication, or side effects of the medication. It gets really tricky managing medications when there are SO many different ones out there! Plus, there are an unnerving amount with very similar names.

“An 8-year-old died, it was suspected, after receiving methadone (a synthetic opiate) instead of methylphenidate, a drug used to treat attention deficit disorders” (source).

It’s incredibly crucial to educate ourselves on the medications we are prescribed/taking. Doctor visits can be quick and confusing, making it easy for us to forget any questions we may have. I have definitely been there (I’ve taken almost all the anti-depressants and anti-psychotic prescriptions on the market), so I’ve created a checklist for you to use at your next appointment!

I invite you to save and print this image. Use it at doctor visits, pharmacy stops, or whenever you feel it would be helpful. I hope having a checklist will help you as much as it has helped me!

Remember to be proactive and cautious when taking any medications. Set reminders on your phone if you have trouble remembering to take them (like me)! I hope you celebrate World Health Day by making decisions to better your health and reminding yourself of how awesome you are!

How are you celebrating World Health Day?
Have you ever used a checklist for a doctor visit? If not, would you find it helpful?

Thank you so much for reading!

–> Keep in touch through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook <–

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Bipolar Disorder

World Bipolar Day 2015 – A Guide To Getting Through Those First Steps

March 30, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 5 Comments

Today (March 30) is World Bipolar Day (WBD). It’s one of my favorite days of the year! Why? Because WBD is 24 hours of spreading awareness and eliminating social stigma of bipolar disorder around the entire world. Why is WBD so important to me? It’s important to me because I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder seven years ago (although I have been living with it my entire life) and I know first-hand what the other 27 million people worldwide living bipolar disorder are experiencing.

World Bipolar Day is an initiative of the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD), the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). It is celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having bipolar disorder. The vision of WBD is to bring world awareness to bipolar disorders and to eliminate social stigma. Through international collaboration, the goal of World Bipolar Day is to bring the world population information about bipolar disorders that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the illness.

**May involve triggers for some.

Last year was the first time I participated in WBP. I shared my story of living with bipolar disorder on my blog. I also recently shared my story of why bipolar disorder has made my life better on StigmaFighters.com. I’m super excited to participate this year as the social media manager of Instagram for the International Bipolar Foundation. It is an honor and a huge pleasure to volunteer with IBPF and to connect with so many amazing individuals through the Instagram account!

I am more than my diagnosis. –Find more photos on IBPF’s Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter!

Below are a few of the steps I took (and feelings I experienced) going from diagnosis to getting help to stability. **Please note: I am not a mental health professional and do not diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions. I am simply offering my own opinions based on my personal experience.

| THE DIAGNOSIS |

It can be pretty scary and overwhelming being diagnosed with bipolar disorder (or any mental health condition). If you’re anything like me, you were alone, had no one to talk to, and didn’t really know what the next step was. My entire life changed during a 20 minute evaluation. Truthfully, my life had been that way for as long as I can remember. The mood swings, the anxiety, the hyperactivity, the depression, the self-harm, and mostly, how different I was from all my friends. But once that actual diagnosis came, once it was said out loud, it could never be taken back (no takesie backsies on this one!). It was time for me to figure out my next steps and get the help I needed.

| TELLING YOUR LOVED ONES |

To be honest, I don’t remember telling my family. I don’t remember what I said or their responses. Truthfully, I can’t remember if I ever officially told them. My older brother was diagnosed bipolar II five years before I was, but he did not continue with treatment. I don’t think I was necessarily worried about what my parents would think; I think I just probably forgot. Totally not the best way to go about it, but I was a mess during diagnosis. I regret not formally telling my parents and loved ones. There were many years of frustration, misunderstanding, pain, and helplessness that I now feel could have been prevented by being open, vulnerable, and honest.

If and when you are ready to share your diagnosis with your loved ones, I recommend being open with them. Don’t just talk to them, talk with them- like a conversation almost. Allow them to ask questions, and steer away from becoming defensive. One thing I always have to remember is not to get angry when they don’t understand what I’m saying. That’s going to happen. Remember, not many people know details about bipolar disorder, and even if they do, they generally have absolutely no idea what you are going through. That is not their fault, and no one wants to place blame. If the conversation becomes overwhelming or too stressful, let them know you need to take a break and remove yourself from the room. Share only what you want to share. If there are things you are uncomfortable talking about (i.e. mania can sometimes cause hyper-sexuality), then leave that out. You can always share it later if you choose. However, I recommend sharing the major bullet points so they have a good idea of what to look for and what will happen. Even if you are afraid or nervous, remember that it’s crucial to have that support, and this will help you in the long run.

I also recommend creating a WRAP Plan (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). This plan will help you to identify triggers, early warning signs, etc along with crisis planning and so on. It helps you to better manage your disorder, and it helps loved ones recognize what is happening and what to do next. Find a blank WRAP Plan here.

| GETTING HELP |

Getting help is crucial. In my opinion, it’s absolutely necessary if you want to get better. “Help” does not mean or look the same for everyone. Various ways to receive help are:

psychiatry/medication
therapy
support group
online forums
energy healing
self-healing/self-work

There are countless other ways to reach stability, but these are ones I’ve personally tried as well as others in the community. I want to add that balanced nutrition and exercise are very important for stability. The physical body is as important as the mind, and vice versa. They are completely intertwined.

| TREATMENT IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL |

Not everyone will follow the same path to stability. Some people refuse to take medication, so they will follow a more holistic approach (energy healing, hypnotherapy, etc). Others might not like talking with someone of “higher authority” and therefore choose to forego therapy. The most important thing to remember is that it truly is different for everyone. I cannot stress this enough. I see people on forums (be wary of the internet; opinions should not be confused with medical professional advice) telling others to never take medication and to replace it with marijuana or herbal remedies (I saw this two days ago). While those may be great options, telling someone to not take medication is unsafe.

Other times, people push medication on others by saying, “Lamictal is bad, you should take Prozac” or whatever. Firstly, “you should” shouldn’t be used at all. It’s rude and wrong to tell someone what they should or should not do. You can offer advice, but not tell someone what they must do. Secondly, each person will have a different reaction to a medication. Our brains are wired differently; none of us are the same. So our medications, therapists, healing will be completely different. For example, I do really well with Lamictal. However, for some, they develop a severe skin rash from Lamictal and cannot take it. Some people (like my brother) can take Celexa and feel better. When I take Celexa, I get nauseous and dizzy.

The point is: find a psychiatrist and a therapist. Form a support group (friends, family, online, community, etc). Work on yourself; learn how to practice self-love and care (I owe most of my stability to this). Explore all options, and if something doesn’t work for you, then move on. I never thought I’d see a hypnotherapist for healing, but now I absolutely love it. Be open, be honest, be vulnerable. It is all a part of the journey.

| STABILITY |

I can happily say that I am stable, and have been since October 2013. I’ve had a few mini depressive episodes, but they only lasted a few days. Usually my episodes last about 8 months. Once you reach stability, remember that it will not stay forever. That sounds negative, but if you’re receiving treatment, it’s okay. For example, I began experiencing severe daily mood swings, along with anger and irritability. I met with my psychiatrist and we determined that I needed to be on a mood stabilizer (I was taking only an anti-depressant, which isn’t the best choice for those with bipolar – can cause mania). I’ve had to adjust my dosages every so often. I currently take Lamictal, Zoloft, Trazodone (for insomnia), and Vyvanse (for ADHD). I see my psychiatrist once a month and my therapist once a week. Together, we are able to recognize when an episode is coming. By doing so, we are able to prevent the episode more easily and effectively.

I see my team of doctors, receive hypnotherapy and energy healing, have a support system of friends, family, and my boyfriend. I have a puppy who I am training to be my bipolar support dog, I practice yoga, I write, I get outside every day, and I take a break when I am stressed. These things as a whole have helped me reach stability.

Find what works for you & embrace it. Embrace your disorder. It will bring you creativity, passion, and empathy on a much higher level. When it becomes almost too much to bare, remember that it will pass.

You are a bipolar warrior. And you are perfect, exactly as you are in this moment.

Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or any form of mental health condition? What helps you find stability?
What aspects of your disorder do you find positive and wonderful? (Don’t say ‘nothing’.. there has to be SOMEthing!)
What would you change about the steps I provided? What would you add?

Comment below! 🙂

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Bipolar Disorder Events

Join Us For World Bipolar Day 2015!

February 25, 2015 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

World Bipolar Day (WBD) – an initiative of the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD), the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) – will be celebrated each year on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having bipolar disorder.

I participated in World Bipolar Day last year (2014). It was my first year participating, and the first time I told my personal bipolar story to the world. It was liberating, plus I helped a few people get help for themselves! I invite you to share your story- you’ll find that you are not alone! You can read my story here.

The vision of WBD is to bring world awareness to bipolar disorders and to eliminate social stigma. Through international collaboration, the goal of World Bipolar Day is to bring the world population information about bipolar disorders that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the illness.

Each of the organizations is encouraging their members, chapters, and affiliates to orchestrate local events surrounding WBD.

International Bipolar Foundation’s CALL TO ACTION:

1. We are asking people with a lived experience, caregivers and the general public to submit

a photo to us:

Hold a sign, write text over your photo, or email the text for us to add, that says:

–Lived Experience: “I am (something other than your illness) ” with your name (optional), and country

–Caregivers: “I love/care for someone with bipolar disorder” with your name (optional), and country

–General Public: “I support those who have bipolar disorder” with your name (optional), and country

2. All images must be submitted no later than March 15th to hzupin@ibpf.org with your signed photo permission slip.

3. Images will be displayed all day on March 30th via Facebook, Twitter and additional IBPF social media pages.

I hope you will participate this year! Whether it’s through a blog post, a social media post, or by sharing your “I AM” photo, you’ll not only be helping yourself, but you’ll be helping others to know they’re not alone! If you have any questions, please email hzupin@ibpf.org, or email me at lyndsay.marvin@gmail.com. I am looking forward to reading everyone’s posts!

Find the International Bipolar Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. I am the manager of their Instagram account, and love connecting with new people every day!

To health & happiness,

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Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal

After An Entire Year, My Mindset Is Finally In Alignment

May 28, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 40 Comments

I have so much excitement and happiness, I don’t even know where to begin! The past year has been wonderful, but very rough. I moved to Los Angeles from Cleveland in February 2013, and the life event threw me into the worst bipolar depression I have ever experienced. It hit me hard at the end of April/beginning of May 2013. I barely left my apartment for five months. I laid on our mattress.. in my living room.. on the floor.. in the AC.. with the blinds closed.. for FIVE MONTHS. I watched 14 seasons of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. That takes serious dedication (to my living room floor).

During this time, I didn’t care about my physical health. When my mental health is that messy, it’s hard for me to even shower (my boyfriend can vouch for this). As hard as it was to admit, I gained a lot of weight. I ate the worst possible foods, and my addiction to soda showed up again (I had given it up for good that past December).

Fast forward to today. I read somewhere that our mindset needs to be in alignment with our nutrition plan, or we won’t stick to it. Well, guess what? My mindset is finally in alignment with my goals! Oh my gosh, it feels SO good! I have had a serious sugar addiction that seemed almost impossible to get through. I’m currently detoxing and withdrawing from sugar, and these are the symptoms I am experiencing right now:

itchy ears (how weird, right?!)
itchy eyes
sinus congestion (immune system becomes suppressed)
severe migraine (withdrawal is no joke, I have no idea how I’m even looking at a computer screen lol)
hives

But it is worth it. Because these symptoms will eventually go away, and I am finally able to not have soda! I’m finally able to not have chocolate, or ice cream, or grains, or refined sugars/carbs. Yeah, it’s still challenging, but my mind is so clear on my goals that I am able to not have those things! I so badly want to be healthy. I want my digestive issues (candida, leaky gut, etc) to be better. I want to lose this weight (not necessarily to look better, but to feel better). I want to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) this year. I want to be able to somewhat control my moods and emotions.

I posted this status on Facebook yesterday:

“It’s an amazing thing, when you REALLY start to pay attention to how certain foods affect your body. Something that is healthy for one individual may not be as healthy for another individual. I always ate what I perceived to be “healthy” and never truly paid attention to how my body was affected by it. This is why one “diet” (diet meaning what you eat.. the actual meaning of the word) is not best for everyone. I follow mostly a paleo diet, however there are certain paleo-approved foods that I cannot have (and certain non-paleo foods I can have). Tailor your diet/nutrition to whatever fuels YOUR body best.”

Life is completely different when you learn to eat for your health, as opposed to weight loss. When you learn how to have a sustainable diet (again, diet meaning what we eat). I am even learning how to cook and enjoying it! I have never liked cooking haha.

cookbooks

I am loving my Practical Paleo and 21-Day Sugar Detox cookbooks from Balanced Bites! I used them to make dinner for my boyfriend yesterday (which he loved!). *Side note: the 21-Day Sugar Detox comes in two parts: the cookbook and the guide book.

I am learning to love my body and myself each and every day. People who say “I’ll be happy when I am this weight.. this size.. this wealthy..” and so on, those people will not find happiness. Not authentically, anyway. I used to be one of them. But we get to live in the moment, and love ourselves every single day, as we are.

Photo of me at a self-love yoga session with my friend & mentor Elyse

So my point of all this is that it feels so good to have my mindset on track after an entire year! I cannot stress enough how important it is to practice self-love and personal development (read books, go to therapy, join a support group, whatever it is for you), and also to really listen to your body. Pay attention to the foods that serve you and the foods that don’t. Eat for your health. Our bodies are so incredible, they fight so hard for us, don’t we want to fuel it properly?

xo, Lyndsay

How do you get your mindset in alignment with your goals?
Was it easy for you, or a struggle? Share below in the comments! 🙂

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal SoCal

GetFitWithLynds is now The Balanced Brunette

May 19, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 13 Comments

I am sooo incredibly excited to announce that GetFitWithLynds is now The Balanced Brunette! I’m sure it has been a little confusing for some (even myself!), since the name change is so sudden and different, but I am beyond excited for this next chapter!

The reason behind the name change:

When my blog was GetFitWithLynds, it was geared toward fitness only (along with nutrition) and coaching. The more I wrote, the more I realized my passion isn’t only fitness, nutrition, and coaching. I am very passionate about sharing my experiences with bipolar disorder. I help myself by helping others know they are not alone. I am vulnerable and open for those who don’t yet have the strength. I also want to become more involved in the Los Angeles lifestyle, and share about that! There are so many amazing events that happen here, I would be silly not to get involved. 🙂

The meaning behind the name:

I chose The Balanced Brunette for a couple reasons. For one, it felt right. I kept thinking of other names, but this is the one I kept coming back to. For two, balance is the theme of my life (and many others, of course). I have always been attracted to the yin & yang symbol. Having a chemical imbalance, it’s only natural that I am attracted to balance. In my mind, body, and life. Mental, physical, and spiritual. For three, I’m a proud brunette! Haha, but seriously.

I’ve changed all my social media accounts to match my blog. I hope you will follow me on this amazing, exciting journey!

Twitter & Pinterest: @balancebrunette

Instagram: @thebalancedbrunette

Facebook: thebalancedbrunette

Blog: thebalancedbrunette.com

Xoxo,

Lyndsay

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Personal

How Fitness Has Impacted My Bipolar Disorder

May 5, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 18 Comments

It’s interesting thinking back to all the times when my bipolar was unstable. There are many reasons why I cycle one way or another (mania or depression), but the biggest factor (in my experience) has been my nutrition/fitness.

Here’s a little bit of background on my disorder:

I currently take lamictal (mood stabilizer) and trazodone (antidepressant to help with insomnia) daily. I have taken almost every medication on the market, but this is what works for me right now.
My medications help me to function and focus, which helps me to have the energy to exercise.
My disorder affects everyone in my life, not just me. For example, my boyfriend (whom I live with) sees my mood go up and down every day, and is always the one who takes the “hit” when I am upset or depressed. He also has to deal with my mania when I am up until 4 a.m. He is extremely supportive, and he actually helps me to be more cautious of those around me.

When I am feeling manic, cardio is the best thing for me. I have a lot of energy, and usually have difficulty relaxing and sleeping, so it’s important to get my heart rate up. This way, I get rid of the energy and I am able to sleep. Plus it’s awesome, because I am able to stay fit! As opposed to depression, when it’s nearly impossible for me to exercise.

This is where yoga comes in.

Yoga has been a life-saver for me! How I got through life without it, I have no idea. I tried yoga for my first time in 2013, and not only did I feel great physically, I felt great mentally. The yoga I do is perfect because I am able to go to a “happy place” mentally, but also get my sweat on. Because of this, it’s good for when I am depressed OR manic!

I must note that it’s important to wear quality active wear when doing yoga. Too many times have I been in a class where either I was wearing see-through pants, or my yogi friends were. Not cool. You want to be comfortable during yoga, so wearing clothes that fit well is really important too. I make sure to wear Katie K Active all-inclusive active wear during all my workouts! The pants, shorts, and shirts are soft, cute, moisture-wicking, and not see through! 😉

Visit KatieKActive.com and use code LYNDSAY25 for 25% off your order + FREE shipping (I receive a portion of purchases made using my code)! The shorts are brand new this spring/summer (2016) and they’re amazing.

How Yoga Has Helped My Bipolar:

I stated what fitness I like to do for bipolar, but I’ll get a little more vulnerable with how it’s helped me. I’ve been doing yoga recently and truly found a passion for it, so that’s my fitness of choice. I know for many people with bipolar, yoga isn’t enough– they need that fast-paced cardio. But for me, it’s perfect, no matter the mental state I’m in.

Since starting yoga, my moods have been more stable. Usually I am extreme one way or the other, but it’s sort of like yoga is my daily way to stay within the “normal” range (whatever normal is for you). When I start my day with yoga, I have a fabulous day! I feel calm, centered, happy, and clear. I feel awesome because I got my exercise in, but I also feel awesome because my mind feels clear and free.

By adding in yoga with a healthy diet, I have learned to better control and manage my bipolar disorder. It’s a difficult disorder to manage, but I cannot stress enough how important nutrition and fitness are for overall, optimal health.

What is your favorite fitness?
Have you noticed a change in your mental health through your healthy, active lifestyle?

May is Mental Health Month.

Thank you for reading!

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Bipolar Disorder Nutrition Personal

My Current Nutrition Plan, & Why It Has Nothing To Do With Anyone But Myself

April 26, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 15 Comments

There are two main reasons for this post.

To hold me accountable and to document my progress with my new nutrition plan
To clear up any confusion as to WHY I am doing this nutrition plan

Let’s start with what the plan is. It’s called the GAPS diet. GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome and was developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. Basically, my digestive system is in poor health. When I am stressed, I eat a lot of sugar and refined carbs. Read my previous post about my sugar addiction for a little bit of a background. In addition to this, I have bipolar disorder. I don’t want to take medication for the rest of my life, and I am very aware that good nutrition and regular fitness are very important for both physical and mental health. I decided to take a mental health coaching program from a holistic wellness coach who has bipolar disorder, and has successfully managed her bipolar without medication for one year.

I started the program with her almost two weeks ago, and officially started the GAPS diet this past Wednesday. My coach, Nellie, recommended this nutrition plan for me because I need to get my digestion under control. Every symptom I’ve been having is directly related to an unhealthy gut. I have candida, which is a fungus that overgrows when we consume too much sugar and refined carbs. I have almost every single symptom of it (and now it all makes sense!):

chronic fatigue
digestive issues
difficulty concentrating/foggy brain
irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety
seasonal allergies and itchy ears (I’ve never had itchy ears before- so weird)
strong sugar and refined carb cravings (oh my gosh, it’s awful)
skin rashes — I have had hives 3 times in the past 4 weeks. A couple nights ago, I woke up at 4:30 am with severe hives on both my arms. Here’s a picture (it was not pleasant and rather scary, actually):

It’s not only physical, but also mental. The GAPS diet is used for people with various mental health conditions, like depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, and so on. Having bipolar disorder, the GAPS diet is perfect. I told Nellie that I would be completely open and be the client (I’m used to being the health coach), and try out what she recommended for me. It has worked for her (and countless others), and I am really excited to see how it helps my mental stability! And of course the healthy body and weight loss will be great. 🙂

It really is a different feeling when you’re eating for health as opposed to eating for weight loss. It’s so much easier. Don’t get me wrong though, it is by no means EASY. It’s been four days and I am struggling. Sugar addiction is no joke. I crave it and I get really moody when I don’t have it. But I am finding alternatives, and today has been a really great nutrition day! So I feel optimistic about it.

While on the GAPS diet (however long I decide to be on it- at least five weeks), I cannot have grains/gluten, dairy, sugar, anything processed, and soy.

This leads me to the second point of this post.

I have been a health coach with Herbalife for exactly one and a half years in May. Herbalife has completely changed my life, and I am forever grateful for the company, the products, and the people who have helped me lose weight and go after my dreams! However, Herbalife meal replacement shakes contain soy. It was never a problem for me (like I said, it helped me to lose weight and feel amazing!), but I told Nellie I would be completely open, so that means stopping Herbalife for the five weeks or so that I am her client. I was hesitant about it at first, but not only am I paying my coach for the mental health coaching, I am committed to finding ways to treat my bipolar disorder holistically. Why would I do this program, and spend the entire however many weeks/months not doing what my coach asked me to do? As a coach, I know how frustrating that is! Having clients who you spend time on and give your all to, but they just won’t do what you ask them to do. I would be a hypocrite. It’s like what Seth Godin (my favorite blogger) said,

“If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, then you don’t have the time to do it over.”

Because I am doing a nutrition plan that does not allow soy (which therefore does not allow Herbalife meal replacement shakes, except allergen-free, which is totally fine), I do not feel authentic when talking about it at this time. I get that some people will not understand this. That since I have been with Herbalife (and I am successful with it), I should only promote Herbalife, no matter what. And okay, I do get that for some people. But it doesn’t feel right in my heart promoting something that I am not currently doing. It is not authentic. It denies me integrity.

I will eventually introduce certain foods back into my diet, like my Herbalife shakes (trust me, I miss them!). I still love the products, I can still share about my experiences with them, and I still love the company. My current nutrition has nothing to do with Herbalife as a company or even a product. My current nutrition/situation has nothing to do with anyone or anything BUT ME.

I am still coaching clients. I am still building a team in Ohio. I feel good about the decision I’ve made, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. I just figured I’d clear a few things up. 🙂

I will be posting updates about my mental health coaching and GAPS diet weekly!

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal

Health Coaches Need Coaching, Too; My Struggle With Sugar Addiction

April 14, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 28 Comments

As most of you are already aware, I am a health & fitness coach, and I also live with bipolar disorder. A couple weeks ago, I was talking with my psychiatrist, and he said to me,

“Lyndsay, you are always taking care of your clients and inspiring them. You’re taking care of the kids you babysit and the dogs you care for. It’s great, but let me ask you, who inspires you?“

A simple question, but it hit me hard. In that moment, I wanted to break down and cry. I absolutely LOVE what I do as a coach. The progress my clients make, the breakthroughs, helping others to live longer.. it’s absolutely amazing! I am in awe every day of how wonderful my clients and friends are. I love the feeling of being needed. I’m sure there is a specific reason behind that, but like Miss Maudie said in To Kill A Mockingbird, “All anyone wants is to feel needed.” My career brings me satisfaction, happiness, and hope.

But at the same time, I am giving all my energy to my clients, and completely neglecting myself. How can I be a good coach/mentor if I am not taking care of my mind and body? Who can I go to when I am not feeling strong? When I need inspiration, motivation, and help with my nutrition? Yes, I know a good amount about health, nutrition, and fitness, but I don’t know it all.

As much as I don’t want to admit this, I am going to, because honesty is incredibly important. Not only for the people you’re talking to, but also for yourself. I have a sugar addiction. Like a hardcore, legit, anxiety-fueled addiction to sugar. I have dealt with this on and off throughout most of my life, but when I get incredibly stressed, I lose control completely.

I have felt myself slowly spiraling out of control over the past two months. Poor nutrition, poor fitness, poor mental health. It is a vicious cycle. I feel sad/stressed, so I want to eat something that will release dopamine and endorphins, so I eat sugar (it’s comforting). But the comedown from that sugar causes me to feel depressed/anxious/stressed… and the cycle continues.

This photo represents the cycle of addiction. Any addiction. Did you know sugar addiction is similar to heroin addiction? It is very, very real.

This is specifically what happens in your body when you consume sugar. Endless, awful cycle.

You know how they say that people come into your life for a reason, and at the perfect time? It’s amazing! I was searching through blogs and stumbled upon Lifelong Wellness Coaching with Nellie Russell. I originally found her through her blog, Bipolar Out Loud, and saw that she offers mental health coaching. It’s something I’ve never considered, but something I definitely wanted to try. It’s similar to therapy, but I also get a meal plan catered to me and my physical/mental health issues.. plus Nellie has bipolar disorder as well, so she totally gets me. It’s a little different getting life coaching from someone who lives with what you live with, as opposed to someone who only studied it. Totally not discounting what therapists do, but it’s just a different experience.

My first session was tonight, and oh my gosh, I already feel like a new person. I have hope again. I don’t feel stressed (and I’ve been stressed ALL day.. hellooo taxes). It feels so good to allow myself to be the client, and to go into a coaching program with an open mind. I get so caught up in helping other people transform their lives (which again, I LOVE), that I forget to transform my own life. I am excited for what these sessions bring, and I am excited to improve my life. Physical and mental health go hand-in-hand, and it is time for me take full control of them both!

Have you ever dealt with any type of food addiction? If so, how did you get through it?
If you are a coach (or in any profession like it), how do you stay inspired? Who helps you?

My boyfriend Tim and I holding our signs for WBD

Here are some ways I don’t let my diagnosis define me:

This World Bipolar Day, I invite you to share your story and how you’re #MoreThanADiagnosis. Together, we can educate everyone on bipolar disorder and help end stigma once and for all.

A Few Facts:

How are you celebrating World Health Day?

Have you ever used a checklist for a doctor visit? If not, would you find it helpful?

| THE DIAGNOSIS |

| TELLING YOUR LOVED ONES |

| GETTING HELP |

| TREATMENT IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL |

| STABILITY |

You are a bipolar warrior. And you are perfect, exactly as you are in this moment.

International Bipolar Foundation’s CALL TO ACTION:

Find the International Bipolar Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. I am the manager of their Instagram account, and love connecting with new people every day!