Natural Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Are you seeking natural treatments for bipolar disorder or manic depression?

Bipolar disorder is not only a potentially debilitating ailment, but one that is also life-threatening. It is essential that anyone diagnosed with the disorder adhere to the advice of their physician regarding the treatment of this disorder, as failure to do so may result in death.

However, it is also necessary to explore all options in terms of treatment for bipolar disorder, which may require quite a bit of discussion with one's physician. Although research has shown that pharmacological treatments are the most effective in treating bipolar disorder, there are a number of natural remedies that may benefit those who are experiencing symptoms of bipolar.

Diet and Nutrition

The first aspect of natural treatments for bipolar disorder to be discussed is diet and nutrition. There are a few dietary / nutritional recommendations for people who have been diagnosed with bipolar. Adequate intake of vitamin B6, zinc, and manganese are all reported to elicit successful reduction of bipolar symptoms.

Furthermore, there is a fair amount of discussion about the role of sugar in bipolar disorder - in particular, the role that fluctuations in blood sugar may play in the deregulation of mood by which it is characterized. Although we do not know for sure if blood sugar affects the symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is not a bad idea to choose foods that minimize destabilization of blood sugar levels; a good way to implement this would be to choose to consume foods with a low glycemic index.

There are also people who attest to the success of fish oil supplements in helping those with bipolar symptoms.

Lifestyle Habits

Other natural treatments for bipolar disorder are those that involve lifestyle modifications. As with many mood disorders, one must not underestimate the healing ability of exercise. Exercise induces biochemical changes that improve mood, and it is not necessary to engage in extremely strenuous exercise to feel the benefits.

Being more in tune with environmental triggers and cognitive processes may also help to reduce the negative effects of bipolar disorder, and indeed research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is successful in treating bipolar disorder.

Herbs and Herbal Remedies

Herbs form the next group of natural treatments for bipolar disorder. As with for many health conditions, herbal remedies can be quite useful in healing bipolar disorder. It is quite important to clear any herbs with one's physician to ensure that they are safe to use with any medication that may have been prescribed. Two herbs that are recommended for use in individuals with bipolar disorder are passiflora incarnata and lavender - herbs that are generally known to be calming and relaxing.

Although treatments validated by research should generally be the first option when dealing with a life-threatening disorder, natural remedies are certainly worthy of consideration and inclusion in any comprehensive treatment plan. It is important, however, that any use of herbs or other natural treatments for bipolar disorder be discussed with one’s treating physician, to make sure that they are not unsafe or contraindicated.

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