Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by severe depression interspersed with periods of euphoria, also known as mania. The normal age of onset is the late teens and early 20s, but children can also develop the disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The traditional treatments for bipolar disorder include medications, such as antidepressants, and therapy. Many parents have concerns about administering drugs and may consider herbal remedies for children with bipolar disorder.
Supplements for Bipolar
The Mayo Clinic website mentions three supplements with known mood-stabilizing effects. St. John's wort is considered effective against depression but may trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder. St. John's wort can also interact with other antidepressants. The other two supplements, s-adensyl-L-methionine, or SAMe, and omega-3 fatty acids are not herbs, but may be effective against depression. As with St. John's wort, SAMe may trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder. MayoClinic.com also lists generic herbal combinations based on traditional Chinese medicine, but these herbs have not been proven effective in treating depression or bipolar disorder. There are no herbs listed for treating the manic component of the disorder.
Dosing
The active ingredient in St. John's wort is a chemical called hypericin. In order to get the therapeutic amount of hypericin, manufacturers standardize the herb by percentage. The standard dosing for children is 300 mg of St. John's wort, standardized to .3 percent hypericin, per day. Children under 12 years of age can safely take St. John's wort for up to six weeks. The recommended dosage of SAMe is 400 mg four times per day for two weeks, then a gradual tapering to 400 mg once or twice per day. This dosage is only listed for adults, and pediatric dosage information is not available. There is no established pediatric dose of omega-3 fatty acids, but the adult dosage is no more than 3 g per day.
Side Effects
Although St. John's wort is a natural remedy, it is not without side effects. Prolonged use can cause sun sensitivity, trouble sleeping and irritability. St. John's wort can also cause side effects similar to traditional medications, including dry mouth, rash and anxiety. St. John's wort can also interact with many drugs, including drugs used to treat bipolar disorder and may speed up the cycling between mania and depression. Gastrointestinal discomfort is the only listed side effect of SAMe, according to Supplement Watch, but there are no studies on SAMe's effects on children. Omega-3 fatty acids have blood-thinning properties and may cause bruising and trouble clotting.
Considerations
Although some herbal and natural remedies are effective against depression, there is no indication that they can control all the components of bipolar disorder. Additionally, both St. John's wort and SAMe can actually make the mania worse. While standard drugs do have a lot of side effects, herbal and natural remedies also have side effects and many are not indicated for pediatric use. If you are considering using herbal and natural remedies to treat your child's condition, consult your pediatrician first and do not use these remedies in place of traditional care.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
- MayoClinic.com: Bipolar Disorder Alternative Medicine
- National Institute of Mental Health: What Medications are Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder?
- MedlinePlus: St. John's Wort
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Supplement Watch: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine
