What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by extreme changes in mood, from mania to depression in recurring cycles.

The symptoms for the manic phase may include racing thoughts, excessive talking, impulsive behavior and irritability that in extreme cases may become physical and violent.

The depressive phase involves fatigue, sadness, loss of interest in life and in extreme cases thoughts of suicide.

Either phase may dominate with the other phase appearing only on occasion. This disorder can interfere with family life, ones ability to receive an education or hold a job. Left untreated, extreme bipolar individuals pose a threat to themselves and others.

Doctors don't completely understand the causes of bipolar disorder, however it often runs in families and researchers believe there is a genetic component.

There are no alternative treatments that have completely controlled bipolar disorder without some type of prescription medication.

Lithium:

Lithium acts on a person's central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and helps people with bipolar disorder have more control over their emotions and reduce the extremes in behavior.

Some Helpful Lifestyle Changes:

Exercise:

Exercise influences the production and use of neurotransmitters, and hormones in the body. The antidepressant effects of exercise have been well documented. Caution must be taken if Lithium treatment is being used, as Lithium is removed from the body in sweat, and the blood levels may decrease

Healthy diet:

Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and less fat and sugar.

Get plenty of sleep:

Lack of sleep can trigger mania those with bipolar disorder.

Relax:

Anxiety can trigger mood episodes in many people with bipolar disorder. Instead of watching TV, try something more focused like yoga or meditation.

Reduce stress at home and at work:

Ask for help with some of the stressful things in your life. If your job is too much, think about ways of scaling back some of your responsibilities.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs:

Caffeine is a stimulant, which can keep you up at night, so cut back on soda, coffee, and tea. Alcohol and drugs can affect your medications and worsen bipolar disorder or possibly trigger a mood episode.

Get onto a schedule:

Many people with bipolar disorder find that sticking to a daily schedule can help control their mood.

Natural Supplements That May Help:

*Those with prominent depression have been found to be deficient in omega-3-fatty acids found in fish oil.

*Amino acid L-tryptophan is essential in the brains production of serotonin. L-trytophan supplementation has led to improvement in depression.

*S-adenosylmethionine (SAME), folic acid and vitamin B12 are also used by the body to produce neurotransmitters.The deficiency in any of these nutrients is associated with depression.

*Vitamin C in conjunction with EDTA may help reduce vanadium levels (trace mineral) in the bloodstream. Vanadium has been found to have an adverse effect on those suffering with bipolar disorder, which tend to have elevated levels of vanadium in the blood and hair.

*Introduction of supplemental choline increases acetylcholine levels and may have a positive affect on all mood symptoms.