Bipolar disorder affects over 5 million people in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health. Formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, this condition strikes adults as well as children and is characterized by sudden and intense mood swings including severe depression and periods of mania. While medications successfully manage symptoms for many sufferers of bipolar disorder, holistic approaches are growing in popularity. For mental health, holistic approaches generally refer to complementary practices that support all aspects of wellness including emotions and spirituality. Consult a physician before attempting any holistic treatment program and never discontinue medication without a doctor's approval.
Herbs and Supplements
Despite the mixed results of studies on natural supplements for bipolar disorder, their use continues to attract sufferers. According to a large study published in "Psychopharmacology Bulletin" in January 2007, 50 percent of bipolar patients admitted to using supplements, herbs and vitamins not prescribed by their physicians. Of all supplements, St John's wort has the most potential, although this herb has its own dangers as well, warns researchers from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In their 2008 study, psychiatrists concluded that St John's wort may be helpful for the treatment of mild to moderate depression but it also can interact with other medications.
For other popular supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe), the results are inconclusive. Discuss all supplement use with your medical care provider.
Interpersonal Therapy
Psychotherapy, often called "the talking cure," is a longstanding tradition in the treatment of bipolar disorder, but a new generation of psychiatrists is exploring how mental instability is related to family systems and relationships. Interpersonal therapy allows sufferers to explore their actions and aid social cohesion. Family therapies and group therapies also examine the family context and ancestral patterns of mental health, helping sufferers break their isolation.
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy
Although still in development, some treatment centers for bipolar disorder are integrating psychotherapy with the mental practice of meditation. Mindfulness-based therapies such as meditation provide people with valuable self-help skills for becoming more aware of their emotional states. Meditation can also affect physical markers including heart rate and blood pressure, both of which contribute to anxiety. In a 2008 pilot study published by the Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers reported that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy immediately eased anxiety and depression symptoms for patients who were between bipolar episodes. This treatment may also be effective with disarming suicidal thoughts and behaviors of bipolar sufferers.
References
- National Institutes of Health: The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America
- Health Services Research and Development: Determinants of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Patients with Bipolar Disorder
- Pubmed: Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder--a Review of the Evidence
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: What is Psychotherapy and How Can it Help?
- Pubmed: Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in Bipolar Disorder
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