Bi-Polar Disorder Sufferers Could Benefit From Natural Therapy

The Devastation of Bi-Polar Disorder

Bi-polar disorder is a long-term permanent mental illness that has no cure. People who suffer with this disorder face a lifetime of drugs, therapy, and difficulty with adjustment to regular life activities. The disorder is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all, but it is frequently diagnosed in teens as they enter the often difficult adolescent years, and the hormonal imbalances kick in. The most typical symptom of bi-polar disorder is extreme mood swings.

Traditional Treatments for Bi-Polar Disorder

Traditional medicine treats the symptoms of bi-polarism because there is no known cure. Researchers who have attempted to discover specific neurological conditions which cause the disorder have very recently identified some chemical abnormalities in the patients’ brains, primarily through the use of MRI scans. Five chemicals were identified that had abnormal levels, and these chemicals seem to affect behavior, vision, reading, movement and sensory intake. Further study may indeed bring about new answers for sufferers of bi-polar disorder, but, in the meantime, sufferers will primarily be put on some pretty strong drugs to control the moods and allow them to function in a relatively normal manner. Mood stabilizers are a large family of drugs ranging from mild effects to very strong effects, and decisions about which to use are often long and tedious trial and error experiences. Because psychiatrists are attempting to control manic behavior as well as depression, it is difficult to find the right combination of drugs to get the appropriate response. As well, when an appropriate drug or combination of drugs is found, the behavior may be under control, but the patient often complains of feeling like a “zombie,” or not being able to connect thought and speech as before. Developing tolerance for the drugs also occurs, and then new drugs have to be used, and the process of experimentation begins again.

Bi-Polar Symptoms

The manic phase of bi-polar disorder is usually characterized by the following: high energy, not sleeping, feelings of power and grandiosity, short attention span, physical agitation, impulsivity, and increased sexual activity

The depressed phase of bi-polar disorder is usually characterized by the following: no energy, insomnia or too much sleep, suicidal thoughts, sad, irritable, loss of appetite and interest in activities.

Natural Therapy for Bi-Polar

Slowly, some researchers are beginning to develop some ideas relative to natural therapy for bi-polar disorder, and based upon early studies, have identified three substances that may have promise.

Omega Fatty Acids and Bi-Polar Disorder

There are different kinds of omega fatty acids. Two that potentially figure in bi-polar disorder are omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. It appears that bi-polar sufferers may have too much omega-6 fatty acids and not enough omega-3 fatty acids. This would mean that dietary changes would be warranted, certainly the addition of fish oil supplements and perhaps a reduction in intake of those foods containing omega-6 fatty acids, namely nuts, dairy products, vegetable oils, etc.

Choline and Bi-Polar Disorder

Choline is considered and essential nutrient and is found in the B-complex vitamins. It is also found in an important neurotransmitter, and it may have an effect that is similar to Lithium Carbonate, a strong drug commonly used in the treatment of bi-polar disorder. Using choline as opposed to a strong drug would be welcome news to many patients for it may not have some of the negative side effects commonly experienced with Lithium.

Lithium Orotate and Bi-Polar Disorder

Lithium orotate is another alternative to Lithium Carbonate, and it is available as a natural therapy for a variety of emotionally related disorders, to include stress, anxiety, addictions, ADHD, etc. It is available in any health food store, and many adult bi-polar patients have chosen to use it instead of their prescribed Lithium Carbonate.

Further Study

Treating bi-polar disorder with natural therapy of herbs, fish oils, and choline will require a great deal of further study, because certainly no one wants to put these patients in untenable positions by eliminating pharmaceuticals that are at least stabilizing the illness. Finding and identifying chemical imbalances in the brain of bi-polar patients shows great promise, and if this research can become more definitive, it is possible that we will be able to use natural therapy with minimal side affects for these victims.