Also called manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by frequent mood swings. With this disorder, you may experience quick mood shifts, from extreme low to extreme high in a short span of time. These frequent mood swings can make it difficult for the person experiencing them as well as the people around them. You need long-term treatment to help manage your disorder. While you need to take medications to keep things under control, you can try some bipolar disorder natural treatment options too. Natural treatments may certainly help, but they cannot replace medication and you should try anything only after consulting your doctor.
Home Remedies to Treat Bipolar Disorder
Before trying any natural treatment, it is important to talk to your doctor to ensure that you do not have any complications preventing you from trying any natural remedy. Here are some possible home remedies to try:
1. Fish Oil
Fish oil may help because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It provides you with DHA and EPA that help maintain nerve tissue health and regulate hormone production at the same time. It also improves your cognitive function and helps overcome depression. While fish oil may be beneficial, it is important to talk to your doctor to know the proper dosage. Eating fatty fish, such as mackerel, albacore tuna, trout, herring, and salmon may also help.
2. Brahmi
Also known as bacopa, brahmi is a popular herb commonly used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It is supposed to help because it acts as a mild sedative as well as stimulant. It may also help relieve mental stress and improve memory. Simply extract juice from brahmi leaves and have a few teaspoons daily for a few weeks.
3. Ashwagandha
This is another herb commonly used for bipolar disorder. It works as a nerve tonic and helps improve symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some studies have also found that supplementing with Ashwagandha may help patients of bipolar disorder by improving reaction time, auditory-verbal working memory, and social cognition. Start with a 500mg serving of Ashwagandha extract and see how it works for you.
4. Valerian Root
Known for its strong sedative properties, valerian root can be a good bipolar disorder natural treatment because it calms your nervous system. Often used as a treatment for sleep problems and anxiety, valerian root is also supposed to help treat mood disorders. Regular use may help reduce nervous tension, stress, restlessness, and moderate mood changes. You can find valerian root in many forms, including tea bags, dried root, liquid extract, and capsules.
5. Passion Flower
It is supposed to help people with bipolar disorder because of its sedative properties. It may help reduce excitability and anxiety during an episode of bipolar disorder. It may also prove effective against insomnia. Take a cup of hot water and add a teaspoon of passionflower to it. Let it steep for about 15 minutes, strain it, and enjoy it a few times a day. Be sure to talk to your doctor before using this remedy because it can cause stomach upset in some people.
6. B Vitamins
Looking for bipolar disorder natural treatment? Increasing your intake of B-vitamins may help because some studies have found that a deficiency of these vitamins can affect brain health. Vitamin B1, B6, B9, and B12 are especially beneficial for people with bipolar disorder, as they help decrease symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, mood swings, depression, and fatigue. Vitamin B1 works by improving the flow of blood to your brain, whereas vitamin B6 helps combat irritability. Also known as folic acid, vitamin B9 facilitates the synthesis of many important brain chemicals. Similarly, vitamin B12 is important for the production of neurotransmitters that help relieve symptoms of psychosis, irritability, mania, fatigue, and depression. Whole grains, eggs, milk, and leafy greens are some good sources of B-vitamins, but you can also find fortified cereals to increase your intake of these vitamins.
7. Say No to Drugs and Alcohol
As many as half of all bipolar patients develop a problem with substance abuse, but that is only going to make things a lot more challenging. You should talk to your doctor and get good treatment to overcome drug or alcohol addiction. This will help make it easier to cope with depression and sleep better at night, which in turn will make your bipolar disorder a lot more manageable.
8. Sleep
Sleep deprivation can make things extremely difficult for people with bipolar disorder. When having a manic episode, you may not be able to sleep at all, which can make mood swings even more difficult to manage. Similarly, sleep deprivation can trigger an attack, so it is important to talk to your doctor and find what you can do to improve the quality of your sleep.
9. Social Interaction
One simple bipolar disorder natural treatment is to make a conscious effect to connect with others. However, you need to maintain a balance in your social life because isolation can cause depression but overstimulation can also be quite stressful. Interact with people but be sure to have a hobby or do something that makes you feel happy. This will help trigger the release of feel-good hormones in the brain and make it easier to deal with bipolar disorder.
10. Healthy Weight
Sometimes, your diet can lead to weight gain, but on other occasions, it could be the side effect of many medications used to treat bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics and lithium can lead to metabolic syndrome and make you deal with weight gain. It is important to keep your weight in control and talk to your doctor if you suspect things are not going as planned. Weight gain could occur soon after starting a new drug, so be sure to talk to your doctor and find a better alternative.