Bipolar Disorder

Natural Remedies for Bipolar

Welcome to natural remedies for bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder – known in the past as manic depression – is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. If you have bipolar disorder, you will have periods or “episodes” of depression, where you feel very low and lethargic, and mania, where you feel very high and overactive (less severe mania is known as hypomania.)

The symptoms of bipolar disorder depend on which mood you are experiencing. Unlike simple mood swings, each extreme episode of bipolar disorder can last for several weeks or longer, and some people may not experience a “normal” mood very often.

Depression

The depression phase of bipolar disorder is often diagnosed first. You may initially be diagnosed with clinical depression before having a manic episode later (sometimes years later), after which you may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.During an episode of depression, you may have overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, which can potentially lead to thoughts of suicide.

If you’re feeling suicidal or having severe depressive symptoms, contact your GP, care co-ordinator or the local mental health emergency services as soon as possible.

Mania

During a manic phase of bipolar disorder, you may feel very happy and have lots of ambitious plans and ideas. You may spend large amounts of money on things that you cannot afford and would not normally want. Not feeling like eating or sleeping, talking quickly and becoming annoyed easily are also common characteristics of the manic phase of bipolar disorder.

During the manic phase, you may feel very creative and view mania as a positive experience. However, during the manic phase of bipolar disorder, you may also have symptoms of psychosis (where you see or hear things that are not there or become convinced of things that are not true).

Living with bipolar disorder

The high and low phases of bipolar disorder are often so extreme that they interfere with everyday life. However, there are several options for treating bipolar disorder that can make a difference. They aim to control the effects of an episode and help someone with bipolar disorder to live life as normally as possible.

It is thought that using a combination of treatments is the best way to control bipolar disorder. Treatment can include learning to recognize the triggers and signs of an episode of depression or mania, psychological treatment such as talking therapy to help deal with depression and to give you advice about how to improve your relationships and lifestyle advice such as doing regular exercise, planning activities that you enjoy and that give you a sense of achievement, and advice on improving your diet and getting more sleep.

Help and advice for people with a long-term condition or their carers is also available from charities, support groups and associations. This includes self-help and self-management advice and dealing with the practical aspects of a long-term condition.

Symptoms

The first part of our natural remedies for bipolar disorder section is the symptoms. Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. The mood swings can range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Episodes of mania and depression can often last for several weeks or more.

Depression : During a period of depression, your symptoms may include:

feeling sad and hopeless
lacking energy
difficulty concentrating and remembering things
loss of interest in everyday activities
feelings of emptiness or worthlessness
feelings of guilt and despair
feeling pessimistic about everything
self-doubt
being delusional, having hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking
lack of appetite
difficulty sleeping
waking up early
suicidal thoughts

Mania: The manic phase of bipolar disorder may include:

feeling very happy, elated or overjoyed
talking very quickly
feeling full of energy
feeling self-important
feeling full of great new ideas and having important plans
being easily distracted
being easily irritated or agitated
being delusional, having hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking
not feeling like sleeping
not eating
doing things that often have disastrous consequences, such as spending large sums of money on expensive and sometimes unaffordable items
making decisions or saying things that are out of character and that others see as being risky or harmful
Rapid cycling

If you have bipolar disorder, you may have episodes of depression more regularly than you have episodes of mania. Or you may have mania more often than depression.

Between episodes of depression and mania, you may sometimes have periods of “normal” mood. However, some people with bipolar disorder can repeatedly swing from a high to low phase quickly without having a “normal” period in between. This is known as rapid cycling.

Bipolar disorder is a condition of extremes. A person with bipolar disorder may be unaware of being in the manic phase of the condition. After the episode is over, they may be shocked at their behaviour. However, at the time, they may think that other people are being negative or unhelpful.

Some people with bipolar disorder have more frequent and severe episodes than others. The extreme nature of the condition means that staying in a job may be difficult and relationships may become strained. There is also an increased risk of suicide.

During episodes of mania and depression, someone with bipolar disorder may experience strange sensations, such as seeing, hearing or smelling things that are not there (hallucinations). They may also believe things that seem irrational to other people (delusions). These types of symptoms are known as psychosis or a psychotic episode. The next section on natural remedies for bipolar disorder is the causes.

Causes

When looking at natural remedies for bipolar disorder we must consider that the exact cause of bipolar disorder is not fully understood. However, experts believe that a number of different factors act together and make a person more likely to develop the condition. These are thought to be a complex mix of physical, environmental and social factors.

Chemical imbalance in the brain : Bipolar disorder is widely believed to be the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. The chemicals responsible for controlling the functions of the brain are called neurotransmitters, examples of which include norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

If there is an imbalance in the levels of one or more neurotransmitters, it may cause the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example, episodes of mania may occur when levels of norepinephrine are too high, and episodes of depression may be the result of norepinephrine levels becoming too low.

Genetics: Bipolar disorder is also thought to be linked to genetics. Bipolar disorder seems to run in families, and the family members of a person with the condition have an increased risk of developing it themselves. However, no single gene is responsible for bipolar disorder. Instead, it is thought that a number of genetic and environmental factors act as triggers for the condition.

Triggers: A stressful circumstance or situation often triggers the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Examples of stressful triggers include:

physical, sexual or emotional abuse
the breakdown of a relationship
the death of a close family member or loved one

These types of life-altering events can cause episodes of depression throughout a person’s life.

Bipolar disorder may also be triggered by physical illness, sleep disturbances and overwhelming problems in everyday life, such as problems with money, work or relationships. Now we have looked at the causes, let’s look at what to do when it comes to natural remedies for bipolar disorder.

Do

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Diet

Diet plays an important part when it comes to natural remedies for bipolar disorder. A healthy diet is a vital component of any overall program for addressing mental health disorders. If you suffer from mental health problems, be sure to get tested for food allergies.

It is essential to eat a steady and diverse daily diet of health enhancing fruits such as apples, berries, stone fruits, and vegetables, especially dark greens, salads, small daily quantities of high quality protein sources, such as wild fish, organic poultry, bison, lamb, eggs, beans, legumes, tempeh and tofu, essential fatty acids, whole grains, such as quinoa and brown rice, nuts and seeds (preferably soaked), and wholesome, rather than refined treats.

Be sure to vary the foods you eat at each meal to ensure a plentiful supply of nutrients and enzymes and to avoid the risk of developing food sensitivities, and be careful not to overeat during meals.

Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day.

If you suffer from hypoglycemia, avoid high glycemic carbohydrate foods. Eat meals that are high in a variety of vegetables, small and consistent portions of quality proteins and low in carbohydrates. In addition, eat healthy snacks such as all vegetable juices or raw vegetables with a handful of soaked nuts or seeds, or a hard boiled egg, a slice of protein such as turkey wrapped in lettuce leaves, or a fresh fruit smoothie mixed with essential fats and a quality protein powder, such as Hemp or raw organic whey protein powder. Eat something every two to three hours between meals to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized.

It is important to not add further toxicity to your system so try to adhere to the following:

Do not consume any artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda, NutraSweet or Aspartame
Do not consume high fructose corn syrup or mono-sodium glutamate
Do not drink any carbonated beverages
Avoid all fast food restaurants
Avoid all canned food
Eliminate conventional dairy products. The best dairy products are raw, unpasteurised and homogenised dairy from grass fed cows. If this is unavailable, then buy organic dairy
Avoid conventional beef. The best beef is organic grass fed beef. The second best is organic meat; this includes beef, veal, lamb, chicken and turkey. Check out www.grasslandbeef.com

Supplements:

Take Vitamin D3 50,000-100,000 International Units a day for periods of 4 weeks at a time. Check out .
Wholefood supplements are the best way of ensuring your nutritional needs are met. The best we know on the market is Kevin Trudeau’s “KT Daily” product. You can find more details here

Take the mineral Lithium Orotate (ensure it doesn’t contain magnesium stearate.)

St John’s Wort www.sourcenaturals.com

Coral Calcium https://ow.ly/eQMEN

Magnesium taken in powder form – www.therawfoodworld.com

Deer Antler Velvet www.royalvelvetforlife.com

Able Heel

3-2-1 Supplements www.ncsupplements.com

Take an Omega 3 supplement:

Krill oil –

Fish oil

Cod liver oil

Vegetarian –

Prescription and non-prescription medication:

What non-prescription and prescription drugs are you taking? Your non-prescription and prescription drugs are partially the reason that you have this illness or disease – you need to get off these medications but do so only under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner.

The next section on natural remedies for bipolar disorder is all around the mind.

Mind

When considering natural remedies for bipolar disorder, we cannot ignore the mental aspect. We know that when the body is out of balance, energy doesn’t flow, leading blockages and eventually disease. Here are some things you can do to combat stress and restore balance:

Go to a Dr. Morter BEST (Bio-Energetic Synchronisation Technique) Practitioner
Sign up for Energetic Re-Balancing: 2 practitioners to consider are:
- Stephen Lewis, founder of the Aim Program. Find out more by clicking here
- . Find out more by clicking here
Consider using Mary Miller’s Iching System Products – ichingsystemsinstruments.com
Reiki healing is very powerful in releasing stress and emotional baggage. Find a practitioner here
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has had remarkable results in dissolving stress. Find a local practitioner here or go to www.thetappingsolution.com or www.tftrx.com
Try Hypnotherapy to relax the mind. Find a practitioner here

Remedies

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Articles

Bring me sunshine – lifting the cloud of depression NC_Newsletter_12-02.pdf

Become Master of Your Mind – taking charge of your reaction to stress NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf

Jump for Joy – Rebounding is a great stress busting workout NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf

Can fish oil fight depression? www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/fish-oil-depression-zm0z10zrog.aspx

Depression: The Pathway Home www.all-natural.com/depress.html

Traditional Chinese Medicine – Ancient Healing www.naturalcures.com/healthblog/traditional_chinese_ancient_healing.php

The best way to cleansing and purification of the body www.naturalcures.com/recommends/

Mother Nature’s Natural Germ Fighters naturalhealthdossier.com/2012/03/mother-natures-natural-germ-fighters/

Immune health NC_Newsletter_07-11.pdf

Squeaky Clean (Colonic Irrigation) www.naturalcures.com/squeaky-clean

Colloidal Silver NC_Newsletter_09-08.pdf

Heal Your Body and Raise Your Consciousness – Qigong NC_Newsletter_12-08.pdf

Health Care that Won’t Cost You a Single Penny – EFT NC_Newsletter_12-06.pdf

Become Master of Your Mind – taking charge of your reaction to stress NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf

Jump for Joy – Rebounding is a great stress busting workout NC_Newsletter_12-10.pdf

Hypnotherapy for stress management – why it is so effective www.naturalcures.com

Video

Suicide and depression is gone. I’m singing again – faster EFT changed my life www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBX5B3Byx54

Topic: Energy, Depression & Our Youth- Dr. Julissa on Natural Health Matters TV : www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPiAJc4nbx4

The advantage of natural health remedies for depression: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfd7QlNqPMI

EFT for treating disease www.garythink.com/eft/physicial.html

Research

Light therapy on bipolar patients: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016503270000149X

Effects of sunlight on serotonin turnover in the brain: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673602117375

The effectiveness of St John’s Wort in treating depression (British Medical Journal): www.bmj.com/content/313/7052/253.full

Further Information (links and books)

Bipolar Disorder – The Ultimate Guide by Sarah Owen and Amanda Saunders

Bipolar Happens! 35 Tips and Tricks to Manage Bipolar Disorder by Julie A. Fast

The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know by David J. Miklowitz

Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You That You Need to Know (Living… by John McManamy

Solving The Depression Puzzle, Rita Elkin M.H

Wired for joy by Laurell Mellin

Talking Back to Prozac: What Doctors Won’t Tell You About Today’s Most Controversial Drug, Peter R/ Breggin, MD with Ginger Rose Breggin; Energy Tapping, Fred P. Gallo PhD.

Conscious Breathing: Breathwork for Health, Stress Release and Personal Mastery by Gay Hendricks

The Journey: An Extraordinary Guide for Healing Your life and Setting Yourself Free by Brandon Bays

Detox and revitalize by Susana L. Belen

Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics by John McKenna

by Bernie S Siegel

The Healing Power of Nature Foods: 50 Revitalizing Superfoods & Lifestyle Choices To Promote Vibrant Health by Susan Smith Jones

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food … A-To-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies) by Phyllis Balch

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Mindi Green

Detox and revitalize by Susana L. Belen

Colloidal Silver: The Natural Antibiotic Alternative by Zane Baranowski

The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal

The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines by Michael Castleman and Prevention Magazine