DESCRIPTION
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder where a persons disposition alternates between states of depression and mania in a repeating cycle. People may cycle through these states rapidly, or they may experience extended states of either depression or mania. In many cases either one of the mood states predominates, with the other emerging only occasionally and briefly. The episodes are generally separated by periods of normal behavior. Each mood episode lasts a significant length of time; between weeks or up to 6 months; with mood swings happening once every year or two. The moods themselves are significant enough to interfere with the individuals ability to function in society. Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder is 4 or more episodes per year. This change in mood, behavior and disposition is the distinguishing characteristic of Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression and bipolar affective disorder.
The disorder is noted in about 1% of the population. Increasingly it is diagnosed in younger people of adolescent age. Over the decade of 1994-2004 the incidence has risen 40-fold in American children and adolescents. That incidence continues to rise. It is likely that doctors are arriving at this diagnosis more frequently today than in previous generations. It has been hypothesized that the increase in diagnosis has been a factor of what is considered a definitive medical cure for the disorder, lithium carbonate.
A genetic link to Bipolar Disorder has been established for some time. It likely that genetic precursors work in combination with other factors to precipitate this disorder. Emotional, physical, sexual abuse and family conflict can be contributing factors. In situations where a genetically predisposed individual has difficulty building relationships and creating emotional self-regulation, there is a strong likelihood of developing bipolar disorder.
In the manic behavior phase of the disorder the patient exhibits an increase in energy, a reduced need for sleep, a higher state of arousal, and irritable or delusional state of mind. In the depressive phase, the patient appears sad, anxious, self doubting, lonely and may complain of physical pain.
TREATMENT
The most commonly prescribed medical treatment for Bipolar Disorder is lithium carbonate, which has mood stabilizing characteristics. Lithium carbonate is an important industrial chemical. It is used to process other substances in the making of quick setting cement, oven safe cookware, fireworks and lithium ion batteries. The anti-convulsive medication sodium valproate is also widely prescribed. Antidepressants have also been prescribed for Bipolar Disorder. The medication regime of cycling between mood stabilizers for manic episodes and anti-depressants for depressive episodes has been criticized as exasperating, even precipitating, mood swing episodes. Dosage monitoring and close medical supervision is highly recommended.
Psychological intervention can be useful in teaching the individual to cope with and manage mood swings. Family therapy, which enlists the aid of people important to the patient, is effective when administered by a trusted Family Therapist.
Alternative approaches to Bipolar Disorder look beyond treating symptoms to what could be the deeper underlying causes of the disorder. Alternative approaches also help to mitigate symptoms, allowing reduced reliance on prescription medication.
It is to a large degree possible that many patients who are not vitally dependent of lithium, can manage their bipolar disorder with careful attention to:
supplementation - address nutrient absorption in mood disorder patients
testing for food allergies
controlling their metabolism - avoiding spikes of hyperglycemia and
hypoglycemia
testing for environmental contaminants
Folic acid deficiency has been associated with a wide array of psychiatric symptoms including psychosis, depression, confusion, disorientation and demential. Folic Acid is required for the synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine which is involved in mood regulation. Folic acid deficiency is found in over 25% of hospitalized psychiatric patients. Lithium coincidentally, causes folate deficiency. Folic Acid supplementation at the level of 200 mcg per day is thought to be effective; although more research in this area is needed.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes manic reactions in many patients. Vitamin C supplementation is recommended in cases of bipolar disorder since anxiety and depression are known to reduce Vitamin C levels in the blood.
Elevated vanadium levels are noticed in bipolar sufferers and is associated with manic symptoms. Vanadium toxicity is known to be associated with depression. Medications administered for bipolar disorder are known to antagonize vanadium in the system.
Other supplementation: Choline, L-Taurine (500-1000 mg 3 times per day), GABA (250 mg at bedtime), Chromium (50 mcg 4 times per day), essential fatty acids (5grams 4 times per day),Vitamin B3 Niacin 450 mg 4 times per day, Vitamins B1, B5, and B6 each 100 mg twice a day, B12 (500-200 mcg per day), DL-phenylalanine 5 grams twice a day and choline 250 mg twice a day, Magnesium and Calcium (1 gram of calcium & 500 mg of magnesium at bedtime), Zinc (30mg per day), L-tyrosine (400-5,000 mg per day), tyrosine and phenylalynine (DL or L) (500 to 5000 mg per day), Methionine (500-2000 mg per day)
Foods particularly associated with allergies that play a part in bipolar disorder are corn, wheat, soy and sugar. Caffeine consumption should be observed for intolerance.
Sugar should be of particular concern to anyone with psychiatric problems.
Environmental allergies are also a likely cause or a precipitant to bipolar disorder. Volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde in the home and in cosmetics is a possibility.
Aggressive alternative treatment as described above is more complicated than taking prescription medication. It should be noted that the long term side effects of drugs for bipolar disorder are unknown, but are believed to cause risk in pregnancy to the unborn.
SOURCES
Werbach, M.D., M.R. "Nutritional Influences on Illness, a Sourcebook of Clinical Research" 1988 Third Line Press Tarzana CA
Gaby, A. R. The Natural Pharmacy Healthnotes 2006
Rita Elkins , Depression and Natural Medicine, Woodland Publishing,
Pleasant Grove, Utah, 1995.
Michael T. Murray, N. D., Natural Alternatives to Prozac, William Morrow and Company, New York, 1996
Mark S. Gold, M.D., The Good News About Depression, Bantam Books, New York, 1993.
|
