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Ultra Low Dose Enzyme Activated
Immunotherapy (LDA)
Post Traumatic Environmental Stress Disorder
Peace of
Mind: Holistic Approaches to Anxiety and ADD
(on "New Life
Journal" Website)
Bipolar Disorder Can Be Treated With Medication
and Naturally
ALLERGY REDUCTION:
Improving Mood and Energy
Hidden Factors Behind Your
Persistent Illness
Adult
ADD:
To Medicate or Go Natural
Cancer
–
Finding Your Best Advisor
Overweight - The Risk and the Remedy
Loss
of Sexual Interest
Approaches in Helping Bipolar Sufferers
Help
for Panic and Anxiety Sufferer
Seasonal
Affective Disorder: The Winter Blues
Depression Relief Speeds Health
Recovery
Amino Acids
& Other Considerations in Depression Evaluation
Integrative
Medicine & Psychiatry
Blood
Pressure -
A Wake up Call
Addictions
- Breaking the Cycle
Spirituality:
The Core of
Healing in Integrative Psychiatry
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Bipolar Disorder Can Be Treated With Medication and Naturally
Question:
Many people in my family have been diagnosed as bipolar. Most
are on medication, but one family member’s doctor told him he
could control it through diet, exercise, and sleep. Is this
true? – Asheville reader
Answer:
Optimal nutrition, exercise and sleep are important
considerations in the treatment of any illnesses. Any
individual who has difficulties with mood changes is unique in
terms of their treatment needs. This can be influenced by a
persons background, individual biochemistry, genetics,
personality, medical, psychological or addiction issues. A
person’s capacity to grow in awareness, learning, and to
succeed with lifestyle changes will influence the choices and
success of any selected treatment. As there are many
individual differences as well as variation in the type and
severity of bipolar conditions, the needs and type of
treatment will vary or differ from person to person.
Bipolar disorder affects
more than 2.2 million people in the United States. Unusual
shifts in mood, energy or the ability to function may be a
sign of the disorder. Bipolar problems are recognized
from childhood into the 50s. Its early appearance is often
not recognized by significant others or by health-care
providers. A key feature that separates the disorder from
recurring periods of depression is the occurrence of a "manic"
period of elevated, expansive or irritable moods often lasting
for at least a week, which is a characteristic of the more
severe bipolar I type disorder. Milder "hypomanic" episodes
have mild elevation of mood, sharpened and overly active
thinking, increased energy and activity that might be present
for only a few hours to days. This "hypomania" alternates with
frequent periods of depression and is typical of the milder
bipolar II type disorder.
Research has suggested
bipolar disorder is an inherited condition related to
instability in brain nerve impulse transmission. This leads
to greater vulnerability to emotional or physical stress,
upsetting life experiences, drug or alcohol use, lack of rest
and sleep or other forms of chronic over-stimulation. The
brain is not able to properly calm or activate itself or to
restore its usual healthy balance.
Unrecognized or inadequate
treatment of bipolar illness may result in a higher rate of
disability, suicide and the worsening of medical conditions or
addictions. If bipolar disorder is not identified early and
approached with comprehensive care, which may include the use
of mood stabilizing medication, the illness can have
devastating effects on relationships, careers and health.
Proper assessment and
diagnosis is critical, so seek out skilled and experienced
health-care practitioners, such as a psychologist or a
psychiatrist, trained in mental health work. Bipolar illness
can be overlooked or misdiagnosed resulting in inadequate
treatment. People with the disorder are sometimes
misdiagnosed as having just depression, and treated as such,
often resulting in a poor treatment outcome. These
individuals would respond better to a bipolar type of
treatment program.
Those with bipolar disorder,
not treated with Lithium or an appropriate mood-stabilizing
agent when needed, have a significant increase in suicide
risk. More than 50 percent of people will abuse drugs or
alcohol if the disorder is not recognized or treated.
Early recognition,
comprehensive assessment and an integrative approach to
treatment, including natural approaches, can help bipolar
sufferers improve their chances of having successful
relationships, meaningful work and a more normal productive
life. Some of the natural approaches are improving lifestyle,
nutrition, environmental factors, stress management, sleep
habits, avoidance of alcohol and substance abuse, education,
behavioral, family and other appropriate therapy programs.
For more information:
www.dbsalliance.org,
www.psychguides.com, or call the National Depressive and
Manic-Depressive Association, (800) 826-3632,
or the National Mental Health Association, (800) 969-6642.
Ronald R. Parks, M.D. is a
specialist in integrative medicine and psychiatry in solo
practice in Asheville. He is the director of
macrohealthmedicine.com.
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