Curing Bipolar Disorder

Paula called from a hotel room in the next town crying, hardly able to talk.  She said she wanted to die, that life was too painful and she was hopeless.  She had left her husband and 18-month-old son a couple of days earlier, spending more money than they had during the previous two days and nights, staying in hotels (but not sleeping), getting massages and eating in fancy restaurants.  Now, she had crashed and was completely despondent. At 43, she acknowledged that her whole life was filled with similar episodes.

Bipolar disorder is not a disease; it is only a syndrome or collection of symptoms that include instability.  People with this are “up” or “down,” but not in between.  Some people have manic episodes like Paula where they feel “high” and don’t sleep, then come crashing into a deep depression that may last for days – or even years.  Some never recognize a “manic” episode and are only depressed.  Either the highs or the lows can be continual or episodic.  It’s hard to diagnose because everyone is different.

“I miss mania!”

At 25, Corey was the life of the party.  Since she was a very pretty girl with long blonde hair and attracted attention anyway, but when she was “up” she didn’t need any help with alcohol or drugs; she was uninhibited.  However, there would come a time when she would be “down” and hate life, cut herself with a razor blade leaving scars on her arms.  She would also have crying spells and panic attacks.  In high school, she had been both anorexic and bulimic.

It took several years to help Corey come to balance.  We worked with her hormones, diet, and multiple supplements, including herbs and vitamins.  As she started to be more predictable, and have less depression she didn’t feel the need to “cut” anymore.  Moreover, her eating disorders resolved and she no longer had crying spells.

One day, Corey came in to the office and described the previous months of the return of all her bipolar symptoms – the mania and depression, the crying and cutting – all of it had returned.  I asked her what happened and she said she went off of everything because she missed the “high” side of being bipolar.  The highs feel so good; she said, “I miss mania!  …But the lows are so bad that I’m willing to give it up.”  We went back on the program and she remains stable.

Bipolar Medication

Corey  had been to multiple psychiatrists over the years and had been on just about every psychiatric bipolar medication, none of which had any lasting effect.  The medical treatment for bipolar disorder is tranquilizers, anti-depressants and lithium.  These may help symptoms, but they do not solve the problem.  The best they can do is give temporary, partial relief of bipolar symptoms.  Most often, those with bipolar disorder stop their medications because the side-effects are worse than the disease.

One large problem with bipolar disorder is that when there are no manic episodes there is only depression.  Doctors assume the patients are depressed and give them anti-depressants.  When these bipolar medications don’t work, the doctors often give more.  Not only do these not help, they too often cause people with bipolar depression to feel suicidal.

Home Remedies for Bipolar Disorder

The best treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination, as in Corey’s case.

• Occasionally, tests need to be done to determine if there is “leaky gut” which will prevent the proper absorption of nutrients and increase the toxic load on the liver.  If this is the case, the bowel needs to be repaired before the nutrient regimen is started.
• Food allergies, toxins, and deficiencies will cause worsening of bipolar symptoms.
• In addition, we have found the balancing of hormones in women also to be very useful.
• A diet should consist of whole foods and no stimulants.  That means no caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, MSG, colorings or flavorings.
• Toxins are removed with a diet high in greens and fiber.  I often add charcoal, or “DE” (diatomaceous earth), 2 tablespoons twice per day between meals, to adsorb organic toxins.  A good “probiotic” should also be included with every meal.

The nutrients are many, but a basic regimen might look like this:

• Lecithin: 2 tablespoons per day
• Cod Liver Oil: 1 tablespoon per day
• Vitamin B: 100 one per day
• Magnesium 400mg per day

“Is this normal?”

Paula was started on a strict whole foods vegetarian diet and a supplement called Empower Plus from Truehope (I have found this to be the best for this purpose because it already has all of the nutrients above, and more. See this month’s product recommendation).  We kept increasing the dose according to the directions.  After a couple of weeks she was taking 18 capsules per day.  She called me from home to say, “Is this what it feels like to be normal?  I don’t think I’ve ever felt normal in my life!”

Paula had to stay on that dose, but she kept trying to take less and the bipolar symptoms would return.  After six months, she started to wean off of the supplement and continued to feel normal.  Finally, she was able to stop the supplement and has been stable for over three years on no bipolar medications or supplements — although it is interesting to note that she does have relapses when she ingests any milk products!

If you or someone you know has symptoms of bipolar disorder, including depression and/or manic episodes, it is best to avoid medications and start immediately on a program like that outlined.  Those on bipolar medications should start the program and wean off of them with the help of their doctor.  Bipolar disorder doesn’t have to be a lifelong problem as it is both treatable and even curable.

Share the success stories of supporters and survivors of bipolar disorder with others below!

Dr. Scott D. Saunders, M.D. (Ask-an-MD) is a practicing physician, specializing in preventative healthcare, who utilizes eclectic health care for the whole family, including conventional, orthomolecular and natural medicine. He is also the medical director of The Integrative Medical Center of Santa Barbara in Lompoc, CA. He went to UCLA medical school and is board certified in family medicine. View natural remedies with Dr. Saunders at: http://www.youtube.com/user/naturalEdoctor01