posted May 29, 2009 07:21 PM         

by
Daniel T. Moore, Ph.D.
Copyrighted 1998

Note: The following is a theoretic presentation about manic depression and recommended treatments from a holistic perspective. Research is needed to determine the true effectiveness of these suggestions.

Current Treatment for Bipolar Disorders

If there is a mental disorder that is so perplexing and difficult to treat and to recognize, it would be manic depression (bipolar disorders). Scientists know little information about it. What we do know is that it tends to have a high genetic cause. Of all the mental health disorders, manic depression probably displays the most prominent genetic link. Some suggest as much as 70 percent of persons with manic depression also had a close relative with the disorder. No one knows why some family members get the disorder and others do not.

The consequences of Manic Depressive Disorders are very serious. Individuals with manic depression often lose their family, jobs, and too often their lives. Usually people lose much before they go into treatment. For some, even after they start treatment, they continue the downward cycle due to the ineffectiveness of current treatment strategies.

Only within the last twenty years has mental health practitioners found treatments for Manic Depression. Lithium is still considered a relatively new drug. Since Lithium, newer drugs have been used including anti-convulsion medications such as Depakote and Tegretol. A person might wonder how anti-convulsant medications work to control mood swings.

One theory suggests that Manic Depression is really a seizure disorder. This makes sense if you consider that most acute manic or depressive episodes occur without rhyme or reason. Evidence for this theory exists in some recent practices of diagnosing bi-polar disorders through sleep deprived EEG. The reason the EEG needs to occur after hours of wakefulness is that the brain is more susceptible to epileptic type seizures in a sleep deprived state. If such an EEG indicates seizure like activity then the diagnosis of manic depressive disorder is confirmed. Usually an anti-seizure medication is thus prescribed. Naturally, additional evidence for this theory exists in the fact that anti-seizure medication is just as effective as Lithium in controlling mood swings.

A major problem with the current use of medications for manic depression is that rarely is the same dosage effective for an extended period of time. In most people with manic depression, the medications work for a while, but then are adjusted. Usually medications will need to be adjusted many times. Often the changes involve using harsh drugs such as an anti-psychotic medication that can have severe consequences on the body. Individuals on anti-psychotic medication often gain weight and may develop involuntary muscle movement called tardive dyskinesia. .

Another fact to consider is that medications do not heal the body. Medications are given to reduce symptoms of manic depression. People with manic depressive disorder are often told that they will need to take medication for the rest of their life.

Not taking medication is not the answer either. For most people with serious manic depression, medication is an absolute necessity. They simply could not function without it. Thus when treating manic depression medication should not be excluded.

The goal of holistic psychology in treating this disorder is to completely heal the body. This healing process will reduce the need for medication. Once medication has reduced the amount of manic depressive symptoms, healing techniques can be applied to prevent increases in medications and start the healing process. The ultimate goal of holistic psychology is to heal all body organs associated with the production of healthy brain chemicals and that prevent mood swings. Over time, if the healing techniques are successful, the need for medication is reduced and in some cases, people can eventually overcome their need for any medication. The method of applying holistic psychology is to assist the body to return to normal functioning as naturally as possible.

The Essential Elements to an Holistic Approach

Holistic Psychology is not just a simple prescription for treatment. It involves adopting a lifestyle that encourages peace of mind, health and enjoyment in life. Essential elements in this proposed treatment model include diet, nutrition, exercise, biofeedback, mood control techniques, and effective support systems. These elements will be explained briefly. Each topic will suggest sources for further information. It has been our experience that individuals who adopt a holistic approach to emotional problems become healthy in many areas of their lives.

Diet

Few could argue that nutrition is an important component for healthy living. Most Americans are reducing fat, monitoring cholesterol levels, reducing their intake of artificial ingredients, taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements, ceasing to smoke, etc. Has anyone from the medical profession looked at the effects of diet and nutrition on individuals with manic depressive disorder? The answer is that some have. Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, summarize this research and provide diet and vitamin and supplement information for manic depressives. Among other recommendations, they suggest a diet free of sugar, dairy products, alcohol, soda and caffeine. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes are encouraged. According to Dr. and Mrs. Balch, whitefish and turkey should be eaten twice a week. Our clients have agreed that much caffeine and sugar can start a mild manic episode. Further information about dieting can be obtained by reading the book: Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.NC.. The importance of diet can not be emphasized enough. To put it bluntly, a person with a manic depressive disorder who continues to eat junk food (food with sugar, caffeine, additives and preservatives) is not doing all that he/she can do to get well. In many cases they drive their bodies to need more medication to control their symptoms of manic depression. They continue the downward spiral common to so many people with the illness.

Some medications prescribed to individuals with manic depression cause the body to gain weight. This is an unhealthy side effect. If you need to take these medications and are gaining weight, you still should work toward a healthy body. This can be accomplished by doing exercises and avoiding unhealthy foods.

If you choose to diet for weight loss, be careful to choose the right kind of diet. Some diets may cause a chemical imbalance that is not good for manic depression. Before trying any diet, understand how that diet works and how it causes weight loss. Use this information with other information that you are learning to make effective decisions that will ultimately lead to full health. When in doubt, consult a physician or psychiatrist that is also knowledgeable in nutrition and diet.

Nutrition

Just as plants and animals need nutritional supplements (e.g., fertilizer) to be healthy and productive, individuals with manic depressive disorder need specific supplements. Dr. and Mrs. Balch provide this information which includes high dosages of vitamin B complex, various amino acids (e.g., L-Taurine, L-Tyrosine), zinc, calcium and vitamin C. They suggest dosages and includes the level of importance these vitamins place on developing a healthy body free of symptoms of manic depressive disorder. We highly recommend that you read the entire book. The book explains nutrition and how and why it works. Once you gain an understanding of nutritional supplements, you are more likely to make wise decisions concerning herbs, vitamins and healthy foods that will help you have normal weight, overcome physical illnesses, and develop a healthy, stable mind.

Exercise

The body needs exercise to stay healthy. Through perspiration, toxins that are in the body can exit through the sweat glands. Individuals with manic depressive disorders report that their moods are more stable when their bodies are fit. Choose an exercise program that makes sense to you and practice it daily. There are hundreds of exercise programs available and you only need one that is right for you.

Mental Control Techniques

There are several techniques of mental control to choose from. These include: hypnosis, meditation, accelerated conditioning, and relaxation. These techniques can make a difference when the mood swings first start. They may not be as effective if the mood swings are acute or intense. However they can be an effective tool to prevent a mood swing from getting out of hand. For example, people experienced in hypnosis know that the mind can do amazing things. Through hypnosis, the mind can get the body to do much what medications do (e.g., take away pain, reduce or raise blood pressure, prevent migraine headaches, delay allergy attacks). This phenomena can be helpful for individuals with manic depressive disorders to control their moods. With self-hypnosis you can actually prevent a manic episode or put yourself in a less depressed mood.

Another technique that claims similar results is Accelerated Conditioning. This technique was developed by a person with manic depression. These are two of the many to download mood tracking programs techniques for mental control.

The first step in using techniques for mood control is to pick a technique that interests you. When your mood is relatively stable, learn that technique. You are more likely to master a technique when your mood is stable. If you have been tracking your mood swings, then you have an idea of when is the best time to master a technique. Once the technique is mastered then it is time to apply it when you feel your mood starting to swing.

EEG Biofeedback

No matter what your mood is, EEG biofeedback is now being applied to help the brain get back to normal. While there is not much research on the effectiveness of EEG Biofeedback for bipolar disorders, many clinicians are reporting success. On reason EEG Biofeedback was considered to be a treatment for manic depressive disorder is due to the fact that EEG biofeedback used on epilepsy is well researched in animals and humans. The research suggests that EEG Biofeedback reduces epileptic type seizures. Because EEG Biofeedback can prevent epileptic seizures, it may also stabilize moods just as anti-seizure medications do. Clinicians report that many sessions are needed to get an individual with manic depressive disorder to become independent of their medication. Some participants of EEG biofeedback notice differences immediately while others report noticing differences over a period of time. A case study of an individual successfully treated for manic depressive disorder through EEG biofeedback was presented at the Society for the Study of Neuronal Regulation in 1995.

Medication

Most people who are bipolar seek treatment after they have had significant symptoms and their bipolar problem is "in full force". At such a state in the developmental process of Bipolar disorder, the best and fastest road to recovery is medication. Too often individuals start the medication only to go off the medication too soon. In our opinion, this only delays recovery.

Once the symptoms of manic depression have been reduced through medication, other efforts should be used to start the healing process. Diet, exercise, EEG Biofeedback, and other techniques are more likely to be successful after symptoms have been reduced via medication. After these techniques are mastered and with the guidance of a knowledgeable physician or psychiatrist should an actual reduction in medication be attempted. Again, too many people with this disorder practice medicine on their own, only to relapse into their symptoms and continue that downward spiral. However with patience, consistency and practicing these principles, this spiral can be turned around. It is our opinion that the ultimate goal of holistic psychology is to live a healthy lifestyle with the lowest amount of medication as possible.

Social Supports

During the onset of manic depression, social activities and social contacts usually suffer. When a person is depressed they tend to hide from people. Manic episodes can cause friends to retreat due to the inconsistent behaviors or behaviors that were offensive to others. Part of a healthy lifestyle is being able to interact with others in a meaningful way.

Religious individuals with manic depressive disorders will often stop going to church as the illness develops. Some feel guilty for the behaviors done. It is important to really understand the illness and realize how it effects your spiritual devotion. This devotion does not have to be discarded because one is suffering from manic depression. All healthy social supports are necessary and will be helpful in the future.

After the manic depressive symptoms are stabilized, it will be easier to regain friendships and work on previous relationships. Too often divorced or separated individuals with manic depression try to save their marriages before they are healed or stabilized. Their efforts often result in driving their loved ones away. With this disorder it is important that all family members, including children, become educated in an holistic approach to treatment, help implement effective interventions and get as many supports as possible. Fortunately there are many support groups and educative agencies available. Many support groups follow a too restrictive medical model, but holistic support groups are growing in popularity. Check them all out until you find the ones you like.

Summary

posted May 29, 2009 09:36 PM         

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080907123357AAoDrnk

Interesting read.

quote:

---

I don't believe in taking medication. That's a personal decision. They tried to put me on medication that was originally made for people with seizures. I don't have seizures. I am bipolar. I told them that they could shove it because I wasn't going to take the medication. And I didn't, and I am still not taking anything for it. I like to be able to feel, I don't want to be a zombie. Sex seems to help. Lol, I'm not just saying that, it's true. (Your brain releases endorphins during orgasm that makes you happy.) Other stuff does that too, like chocolate, and exercise. Try some of those options. Even if you take the medication.

---

posted June 03, 2009 10:15 AM         

Food For The Brain

Bipolar Disorder

The name “bipolar disorder” has come to replace the name “manic depression”, but the idea is the same: symptoms vary between two “poles”, mania being one and depression being the other. Usually, when symptoms are severe enough to cause problems in the person’s life, work or relationships, the person is said to be in an “episode” of depression or an “episode” of mania. Some psychiatrists call these episodes “states”, as in manic state or depressive state. Symptoms of depression include: feelings of sadness; loss of interest in things that used to give pleasure; difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much: eating too little or too much; losing or gaining weight quickly and extreme feelings of guilt. Symptoms of mania include: feeling very good and powerful and special and important; inability to sleep or needing very little sleep; planning or starting many new projects; racing ideas and thoughts where one thought flows into another quickly and this then leads to another and another; speaking very quickly and continuously; being involved in activities which may lead to problems, such as spending a lot of money or making financial decisions about large amounts of money or gambling or engaging in more sexual activities. The set of symptoms and their severity varies considerably from person to person, and in many cases, the person may not have any symptoms for long periods of time.

For a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychiatrists look for certain symptoms occurring over certain periods of time. Many people with bipolar disorder go to the doctor when they have symptoms of depression rather than when they have symptoms of mania. This is one reason that so many people with bipolar disorder report being diagnosed first with clinical depression instead of bipolar disorder: the symptoms of clinical depression and bipolar depression can be very similar. Often, some time goes by until the doctor, the patient or others notice that the person is showing symptoms of mania in addition to the depressive symptoms. For some people, use of antidepressant drugs and/or stimulants can be linked to the onset of some manic symptoms.

Although symptoms of mania get the most attention and the most research, the newest studies about the long-term life course of people with bipolar disorder suggest that people with bipolar disorder actually spend much more time in a depressive episode than in a manic episode (time spent depressed is 2 or 3 times more common than that spent in a manic state)1 2 3. A person may have a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, depressive state or bipolar disorder, in remission. There are several other descriptive terms commonly used in speaking of bipolar disorder, such as rapid cycling, hypomania, with psychotic features and not otherwise specified 4.

Conventional treatment of bipolar disorder typically involves the long-term use of mood-stabilisers such as lithium or anti-depressants.

What causes bipolar disorder?

No one knows the cause (or causes) of bipolar disorder. The research is contradictory on several points and it is far from being clear. Also, research tends to look mainly at the brain so that other important possible causes of and factors related to bipolar disorder have not been studied nearly as much. Some of the potential problems that have been proposed to influence symptoms in psychiatric illness are: transmission of signals between brain cells, viral infections during pregnancy, genes and gene mutations, poor production of energy within the brain cell, excess signaling among brain cells or brain regions, stress inside cells related to energy production, too much inflammation in the body and brain, lack of enough amino acids (raw materials) to produce enough brain cell transmitters, lack of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, essential fats) to ensure production of all important brain products for proper brain functioning, errors in functioning or copying of different parts of the DNA and production or functioning of brain hormones.

Some studies show that some people with bipolar disorder may have some differences in their brains or other body systems compared to healthy people or people with other illnesses. At this point, it is not possible to say if these differences are a cause of bipolar disorder, a result of bipolar disorder or whether something else caused both the bipolar disorder AND these physical differences. It may also be the case that these differences are not related to bipolar disorder at all, since they are found only in some but not all people with bipolar disorder. It is also not clear whether these differences are found only during episodes of mania or depression or whether they are always present in people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, whether they are in an episode or not.

In general, it is true to say that researchers believe that bipolar disorder, like almost all illnesses, results from interactions of “genes” and the “environment”5 6 7. The latest information from researchers about genes suggests that there is NOT one gene that causes all the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Rather it is the interaction of many genes, all contributing small effects and all interacting with “the environment”. The “environment” includes the physical environment as well as psychological, social and cultural influences.

Triggers for symptoms and episodes

While the causes of bipolar disorder are not known, the triggers for symptoms and episodes have been studied more thoroughly. There are many possible triggers for episodes in different people. Some of the research shows that common triggers are: using cannabis or other illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, taking drugs not prescribed for you, staying up all night, lack of regular and adequate sleep, poor diet and higher levels of stress. The problem of sleep is an important and common one in bipolar disorder. Sleep problems may vary: problems going to sleep, staying asleep, waking up very early before light or in the middle of the night, waking up many times during the night, sleeping during the day for long periods. People who have unusual job schedules (like shift work or work starting at different times of the day on various days) may also have problems adjusting to these stressors.

There are a number of nutritional imbalances that may contribute to bipolar. These are:
• Essential fats –do you need more Omega 3?
• Blood sugar balance – is yours within the healthy range?
• Magnesium – the mood balancer

You can find out which of these factors is likely to affect you by completing the FREE Mental Health Check.
To find out more about these factors read on, or click on our Action Plan to Overcome Bipolar

DIET & NUTRITION – WHAT WORKS
INCREASE YOUR OMEGA 3 FATS
The richest dietary source is from fish, specifically carnivorous cold water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Surveys have shown that the more fish the population of a country eats the lower is their incidence of depression. In one study estimating the various illnesses linked with low levels of omega 3 fatty acids, bipolar disorder came out on top as the number 1 illness most associated with lack of omega 3 essential fatty acids8.

There have been six double-blind placebo controlled trials of omega-3’s and depression to date, five of which show significant improvement. The first trial by Dr Andrew Stoll from Harvard Medical School, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, gave 40 depressed patients either omega 3 supplements versus placebo and found a highly significant improvement. The next, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, tested the effects of giving twenty people suffering from severe depression, who were already on anti-depressants but still depressed, a highly concentrated form of omega 3 fat, called ethyl-EPA versus a placebo. By the third week the depressed patients were showing major improvement in their mood, while those on placebo were not. The latest trial by Dr Sophia Frangou from the Institute of Psychiatry in London gave a concentrated form of EPA, versus placebo, to 26 depressed people with bipolar disorder and again found a significant improvement. This may be because omega 3s help to build your brain’s neuronal connections as well as the receptor sites for neurotransmitters; therefore, the more omega-3s in your blood, the more serotonin you are likely to make and the more responsive you become to its effects.

Where’s the evidence? Click here for a list of scientific studies on omega 3, bipolar and depression.
Side effects? In some earlier studies which gave 14 fish oil capsules a day mild gastrointestinal discomfort, mainly loose bowels. However, nowadays you can buy more concentrated EPA rich fish oils so the amount of actual fish oil required is less. Supplementing fish oils also reduces risk for heart disease, reduces arthritic pain and may improve memory and concentration.
See action plan for our recommendations.

BALANCE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
There is a direct link between mood and blood sugar balance. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose and your brain runs on glucose. The more uneven your blood sugar supply the more uneven your mood.
Eating lots of sugar is going to give you sudden peaks and troughs in the amount of glucose in your blood; symptoms that this is going on include fatigue, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, excessive sweating (especially at night), poor concentration and forgetfulness, excessive thirst, depression and crying spells, digestive disturbances and blurred vision. Since the brain depends on an even supply of glucose it is no surprise to find that sugar has been implicated in aggressive behaviour, anxiety, and depression, and fatigue.
Lots of refined sugar and refined carbohydrates (meaning white bread, pasta, rice and most processed foods,) is also linked with depression because these foods not only supply very little in the way of nutrients but they also use up the mood enhancing B vitamins; turning each teaspoon of sugar into energy needs B vitamins. Sugar also uses up other important nutrients.
The best way to keep your blood sugar level even is to eat what is called a low Glycemic Load (GL) diet and avoid, as much as you can, refined sugar and refined foods, eating instead whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and regular meals. There are a number of books that explain the low-GL diet in detail including the Holford Low GL Diet. Caffeine also has a direct effect on your blood sugar and your mood and is best kept to a minimum, as is alcohol.

Where’s the evidence? Click here for a list of scientific studies on sugar, caffeine and bipolar.
Side effects? If you are diabetic and taking medication to help your blood glucose control, you should keep a close eye on your blood glucose levels as your need for medication may reduce. See action plan for our recommendations.

UP YOUR MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is a mineral that helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keep heart rhythm steady, support a healthy immune system and keep bones strong. Some indications of deficiency of magnesium are: muscle tremors or spasm, muscle weakness, insomnia or nervousness, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, constipation, fits or convulsions, hyperactivity, depression, confusion and lack of appetite. Magnesium is interesting in bipolar disorder because of its chemical similarity to lithium (lithium being the drug most commonly used as a mood stabiliser). In fact, there is some evidence that the drug lithium may attach to the places inside the cell where magnesium is supposed to attach 9 10. In studies (Chouinard, Giannini), some people with bipolar disorder or other psychiatric illnesses had differences in the amounts of magnesium in their blood. There have been some studies where magnesium was added to other treatments to stop symptoms of mania or rapid cycling 11 12 13. Magnesium can block the entry of too much calcium into cells (it is a natural calcium channel blocker) which may explain why it is helpful with some symptoms of illnesses.

Where’s the evidence? Click here for a list of scientific studies on magnesium and bipolar.
Side effects? Magnesium may lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. If you already take medication for your blood pressure, keep a close eye on your blood pressure as your doctor may need to lower your dose. See action plan for our recommendations.

Finding help
If you would like help overcoming bipolar disorder with a nutritional approach, there are a number of clinics and nutritional therapists who can help you. Click here to find out more.
Dig deeper by reading these books and special reports:
NEW Optimum Nutrition for the Mind - Patrick Holford

posted June 03, 2009 10:41 AM         

http://www.nutritionalsupplements.com/5htpQ2.html

quote:

---

Dear Soul,

I have read the other responses to your question. I am bipolar too, and adamantly will not take any unnatural chemicals to attempt to balance me, as none of them do the job well. Once you come off of them, if you do, you are in a much worse state then before you went on them.

For me, I took 5-HTP, which by the way is basically tryptophan as the other person said. Tryptophan was banned because of one bad batch that was isolated overseas one time, but mainly because tryptophan is the answer to balancing ourselves, and if lots of us knew that, then all those pharmaceutical companies would be making far less profits. Our healing ourselves naturally is not in their best interest. As I was saying, 5-HTP did not make me sleep, but made me feel manic and gave me a headache, so I chose to stop taking it. But what I have found that does work (to my amazement) to naturally increase serotonin levels is Blue Green Algae!! Yes, 3 pills, 3 times per day (brand: Omega 3 out of Oregon) and also taking acidophilus with algae on an empty stomach in the morning. It naturally increases the serotonin with no side effects and even acts as an antidepressant.

At age 33, I have become my own physician and have healed myself of severe acid reflux where I could not talk for 5 months or digest food for 2 (I was on a liquid diet), hypoglycemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, severe environmental illness, allergies, blackouts, memory loss and balancing my bipolar mood swings. Eating a good diet of really high organic complex carbohydrates and protein and veggies in small meals, meditating and having Reiki healing attunements and Chakra energy balancing did it for me, along with a completely changing my lifestyle and finally accepting God/Goddess into my life to help me.

Getting your hormones balanced too with a new plant product called Sterinol by Moducare and/or taking Royal Maca from Peru is also good for getting your body's immune system and hormones balanced naturally. These are really new and I do know more about them, and there is not a lot of documented evidence to their effectiveness. But as for me, I do not take 5-HTP. I take Tyrosine 2 times per day. I hope that this has been helpful. I mostly recommend that you try the Blue Green Algae. It also helps with muscle pain too. Sterinol is also the new cure to Fibromyalia they say in a new book called The Immune System Cure. I still get depressed and manic at times, but it is far reduced. All of the medicines that I ever tried had terrible side effects and did not help me one bit. I am so glad that I do not have to take them. They are expensive and harmful and I do not like being the doctors guinea pig. Also, if you are female as I am and wanting to have a child, you will have to come off of the medications. When you do, you will be far more extreme then before you went on them.

Universal Life Force energy or Prana or Reiki Healing Energy I believe can, if applied correctly, heal anyone of most anything. It is the only thing I can truly attest to that worked for me, as for quite some time I could not even swallow pills or keep myself on any steady program. Find someone you like/feel comfortable with and get a treatment. In many areas, they have free or $5-10 donations for group Reiki or Hands on Healing treatments. Open your mind and give it a try. It works. Good luck. Great Blessings of Love and Light to you.

---

posted June 03, 2009 10:55 AM         

Does Candida Cause Depression?

According to alternative medicine practitioners, candida depression occurs when toxic Candida byproducts enter the bloodstream and affect the brain.

Proponents of candidiasis depression make claims that yeast toxin hypersensitivity has a number of negative neurological effects. Some of those effects are: depression, memory issues, anxiety and a problem with ones reasoning ability.

Another hypothesis why Candida can cause depression is the reduction of magnesium absorption from the intestine when there is a Candida overgrowth in the gut. Magnesium deficiency is implicated as one of the possible causes for depression.

While allopathic medicine supports an indirect link between depression and Candida Albicans, holistic, or alternative practitioners believe the link is direct.

It is believed that depression caused by candida does not respond to allopathic prescription medications. In order to relieve the depression the candida needs to be controlled and minimized by detoxification, herbs, garlic and by eating a diet designed to reduce the overgrowth of the candida. Learning to reduce stress levels, and to improve ones mental outlook and level of positivity is also part of the program.

posted June 22, 2009 12:56 AM         

quote:

---

No one knows why some family members get the disorder and others do not.

---

Interesting.

posted June 22, 2009 12:58 AM         

quote:

---

To put it bluntly, a person with a manic depressive disorder who continues to eat junk food (food with sugar, caffeine, additives and preservatives) is not doing all that he/she can do to get well. In many cases they drive their bodies to need more medication to control their symptoms of manic depression. They continue the downward spiral common to so many people with the illness.

---

I think it is important for everybody to not eat junk food- certainly including people without a psychiatric diagnosis.

posted June 22, 2009 01:04 AM         

quote:

---

Some of the research shows that common triggers are: using cannabis or other illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, taking drugs not prescribed for you, staying up all night, lack of regular and adequate sleep, poor diet and higher levels of stress.

---

Worth noting.

posted June 22, 2009 01:09 AM         

quote:

---

Caffeine also has a direct effect on your blood sugar and your mood and is best kept to a minimum, as is alcohol.

---

So people would better watch their caffeine intake as well as alcohol intake.

posted June 22, 2009 01:12 AM         

quote:

---

Magnesium can block the entry of too much calcium into cells (it is a natural calcium channel blocker) which may explain why it is helpful with some symptoms of illnesses.

---

Sounds like the beneficial effects brought by magnesium have been quite overlooked or underestimated by the general public.

posted June 22, 2009 01:15 AM         

quote:

---

I think flaxseed oil is probably preferable to fish oil, considering the pollution in the seas. Although some people's bodies find it more difficult to convert the EFA's from plant sources. I just bought some flaxseed oil capsules today to try. Go by your intuition- listen to your body.

---

Makes sense to me.