Natural Ways to eliminate and/or reduce symptoms of Bipolar, Depression & Extreme PMS moods?!
Question: I have been on medications for Bipolar Disorder for about 13 years now and the results have not been too wonderful. As a result of the Bipolar, I also suffer from extreme depression at times and extreme mood swings for a week or two leading up to my cycle. So really there is only about a week or two in the month where I feel able to deal with the world on a complete level. Mind you, I am not crazy. Before having my baby I was a professional in the medical field and have a very functional life. I am just looking for better ways of dealing with these problems. Please share your similar and success stories. Also, has anyone been on a non medicated regimen and how has it worked?
Answers: I have been on medications for Bipolar Disorder for about 13 years now and the results have not been too wonderful. As a result of the Bipolar, I also suffer from extreme depression at times and extreme mood swings for a week or two leading up to my cycle. So really there is only about a week or two in the month where I feel able to deal with the world on a complete level. Mind you, I am not crazy. Before having my baby I was a professional in the medical field and have a very functional life. I am just looking for better ways of dealing with these problems. Please share your similar and success stories. Also, has anyone been on a non medicated regimen and how has it worked?
I have a friend that is bi-polar, and I called her to get the info. for you. She was having some depression, and side effects from the drugs, so started looking for natural alternatives. My friend found a wellness coach, that really helped her a lot. As far as I know she does not have any depression any more, and doing really well. My friend said that the wellness coach does not charge anything, and she has the sources to find natural alternatives for you, really great products that have changed her life. Hope this helps you as much as it did her.
I will give you the site below.
The best thing I found was balancing my hormones by using Depo, eating healthier(for me this means lean protein, lots of veggies and fruits, and very few starches) and exercise. I know this isn't precise but I havent got it down to a science I just know I feel better with these things.
First- cherish your body. Eat better, listen to what you are feeling and calm yourself down.
Exercise, meditate, take walks, quiet your mind.
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Hi Amy. As a medical professional I hope you will appreciate that the scientific literature is exploding with information that supports a role for nutrition and disorders of gut function in the cause/treatment of affective disorders (depression, Bipolar, etc.). I will list several examples here; you can use Pubmed to investigate the medical literature.
I would also like to recommend a powerful book on this subject by Sherry Rogers, M.D. called: "Depression Cured At Last". It is a 'tour de force' on the subject and is filled with nearly a thousand scientific references on the subject.
Here are a few issues that are worth evaluating:
1) Imbalances of essential fatty acids (especially deficiency of omega-3 long chain fatty acids). These are very common with modern diets. Omega-3's are critical for proper cell membrane function, cell signaling, and have powerful anti-inflammatory actions (see below about inflammation).
2) Vitamin deficiencies; such as folate and B12. Again, these are very common and directly impact brain function and mood.
3) Intestinal dysbiosis - an imbalance in the gut's microflora. These can produce bacterial toxins that disrupt brain function.
4) Intestinal Hyperpermeability - the so-called Leaky Gut Syndrome. This is caused by NSAIDs, anti-biotics, and other commonly used drugs. It leads to absorption of everything from macromolecules to bacteria that are toxic to the CNS.
5) Any source or condition of Chronic Inflammation; such as: dental infections (e.g. periodontal disease, root canals, etc.), poor diet (the Standard American Diet is a "poor diet" and is well documented to induce a state of systemic inflammation), Celiac Disease and other auto-immune conditions, Food allergies/intolerances, etc.
6) Heavy metal toxicities: lead, mercury, aresenic, cadmium, aluminum, etc.
I have given you a lot to think about here. There is a lot of scientific evidence supporting the roles these types of problems play in affective disorders. I strongly encourage you to start with Dr. Roger's book. Again, you can explore the scientific research for yourself on Pubmed/Medline.
Best wishes and good luck.
Well,I can help you with part of your problem.The extreme pms..My daughter had problems with horrible pms mood swings also.She would get irritable and angry at even the smallest thing.I happened to pay attention to her mood swings.I watched her mood swings change from her pms out of control moods to happy. moods sometimes a few minutes later.I paid attention to what she was eating or had consumed around the time her mood changed to happy..Your in luck cause I figured it out just what will change your mood from pms to no pms..Whenever you start to suffer from pms just open your refrigerator and grab a milk product.It can be either milk or any food that is made with milk.It can be milk,cheese
or icecream.The next time you begin to suffer from pms
just try it and you will notice the difference.My daughter
doesn't ever have to suffer from pms anymore.She can now
control it in this easy simple way.