Natural cures for bipolar and depression.....

1. 80

   schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years ago

   Hi
   
   I've written dozens of hubs on mental illnesses but I've never delved into the natural side:
   
   Like,
   do you know for a fact or from experience what vitamins or natural remedies work?
   
   I have heard before on tv etc that meds like paxil and such cause symptoms or adhd pills killed a kid
   
   I also heard in Canada a man was feeding pigs nutrients for nervousness and it worked and he used it one his family who had bipolar and it almost cured them==but I dont know the names of the nutrients.
   
   Can you help?

   replyreport
2. 0

   Brenda Durhamposted 12 years ago

   I wish I knew more about that.  But I don't know of anyone who's tried natural remedies.
   
   The only thing I've heard from several people is that food dyes and sugars are a major contributor to hyperactivity and poor or erratic behavior in kids.   Which I really don't believe.   A mental illness isn't that simple.  Though it would be awesome for people, especially kids, to not have to take medicines.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      yeah..
      I don't know either but I feel it could be in vitamins...

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Maybe.  It's worth trying to find out!
         I'm sure I was probably being too simplistic when I said I don't believe food is a factor.  It probably can be in many cases. It's just that there are so many factors and so many different types of mental illness, some genetic I imagine, some physical leading to depression, etc.
         
         I know personally that stress can lead to major depression, 'cause I've experienced several panic attacks and bouts of depression in my life.
         
         Deeper depression I've seen in someone close to me was, I think, caused by multiple factors, but mostly by emotional abuse.

         replyreport
         1. 80

            schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            good points..
            def emotional abuse
            and stress
            I seem to feel that our culture in america promotes stress as other countries do not?

            replyreport
3. 59

   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   Certain foods have been shown to cause behavioral issues in kids with food sensitivities or allergies.  The casein/gluten debate is hot and heavy with autistic children. I did notice a difference in my daughter when I stopped the two-a relatively large difference in speech- but that could have been just timing.
   
   There is more reliable scientific research on behaviors/psycological issues in those with celiac disease and the effects of gluten on that group... but celiac disease is pretty rare.
   
   There are some herbs that will lessen the symptoms of depression or anxiety, but they-honestly-do not work as well as prescription medications for those conditions.  There are also plenty of herbs that will INCREASE those symptoms. 
   
   And then there is the effect of vitamin deficiencies or excesses that also effect the mood and functioning of the mind.
   
   If we are talking about depression and anxiety (cause there were lots of different factors in your post ) Then I honestly believe that therapy is the best way to go.  (Either a psychologist, psychiatrist or clergy depending on your preferences) There is no reason not to explore vitamin/herbal remedies at the same time but ONLY with the okay of a physician.

   replyreport
4. 75

   cathylynn99posted 12 years ago

   omega 3 fatty acids (found chiefly in fish oil) have been found helpful in bipolar illness. vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression. st. john's wort is helpful for mild to moderate depression, but interacts poorly with many drugs. all that said, i have mental illness and i wouldn't stop my prescriptions just because i started supplements, especially without talking with my doc.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      that is very helpful and wise, thankyou
      I've heard of this before. I'm sure people have been 'mad' since the beginning -of time- like- so I guess we should be greatful for any medical intervention.  I've been told some people with minor issues can be helped totally by vitamins and exercise while others like myself with a chemical imbalance need medicine. seems to be. although Dr. peter Breggin says not so. but he did admit that 8% of his patients had to have medicine.
      
      In the movie sybil, a true story of a girl with multiple personalities, her psychologist, or doctor, worked with her over a decade and she was eventually cured. Not sure doctors have time today to do that and whether it's safe for patients, medications are basically to temp help along with therapy but again once youre on meds for years, it's really almost impossible to get off them completely, they stay in your brain and your brain begins to need them or so I'm told. I would take the safe route also for at least I'm feeling good now, but I will continue to search anyways, for the story of the guy in canada who found a cure for his son or daughter was pretty inspiring.

      replyreport
      1. 71

         sassyk73posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         And when you find a natural cure let me know because I am tired of taking all of these meds

         replyreport