Manic depression is a type of mental illness that causes alterations in mood and, often, behavior. It is generally considered to be a lifelong disorder once it develops. Also called bipolar disorder, this illness causes you to have both depressive and manic episodes along with periods of normal mood. Medication can bring significant improvement, and some individuals benefit from therapy as well. There are several dietary considerations that you and your caregivers, if needed, should be aware of. Ask your physician before altering your current diet.
Everyday Diet
Strive to eat a healthy diet each day, avoiding junk foods and empty calories. Avoid caffeine because it can affect mood and behavior. Eat fatty fish at least two times each week, such as salmon, trout, tuna or mackerel. Alternatively, eat walnuts or use canola oil to keep a stable level of omega-3 fatty acids in your body. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends you eat regular meals at the same time each day. Not only is this a sound nutritional practice, but it also can help you maintain a normal eating schedule when depressive or manic episodes strike. Ask your physician about taking a vitamin-mineral supplement if you feel that you aren't getting proper nutrition from your diet.
Diet During Depressive Episodes
When you feel depressed, you may have difficulty eating. Try to eat small meals and snacks throughout the day, rather than sitting down to a large meal with no appetite. If you are not eating properly, let someone know so that they can encourage and monitor you. Keep your favorite nutritious foods handy and choose foods that require little to no preparation because extensive cooking may seem overwhelming at this time. If your depressive episodes cause you to overeat, choose foods that can be freely munched without ingesting significant calories, such as seedless grapes or air-popped popcorn.
Diet During Manic Episodes
Mania may cause you to avoid food, which can harm your nutritional status over time. Ask a family member or friend to monitor you during manic episodes and assist by offering you finger foods and drinks that you can consume while you are in motion. Ideally, you will eat small to moderate-sized meals along with snacks every few hours, since you may expend a larger than normal amount of calories during a manic episode. Ask your support person to sit with you during meals, which may help you slow down and eat.
Medications and Diet
The interactions between bipolar depression medications and diet are often complex. Some drugs have a side effect of weight gain, making it important that you eat nutrient-dense foods. Other medications require you to avoid grapefruit juice, fatty foods, soy sauce, bananas, fermented foods or alcohol. Lithium, a medication commonly taken for manic depression, requires the user to maintain a normal dietary salt intake. If you take lithium, eat the same amount of salt each day. Ask your pharmacist about the ways that your prescriptions interact with food.
References
- "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice"; Mary C. Townsend, M.N., A.P.R.N.; 2006
- Mayo Clinic; Bipolar Disorder; January 2010
- National Institute of Mental Health; Bipolar Disorder; 2008
