Bipolar disorder and depression are both serious mental health conditions that can be treated or managed with prescription medication, psychotherapy or a combined approach. Eating a balanced and healthy diet can reduce your risk of developing either disorder, or may help alleviate your symptoms if you have bipolar disorder or depression. You should not attempt to self-diagnose, or treat, either of these serious conditions -- consult your health care provider for medical advice.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is also commonly referred to as manic depression. A person with bipolar disorder typically experiences changing moods, energy levels, and varying ability to carry out activities of daily life such as washing, working, cooking or cleaning. It is common for bipolar disorder to develop during adolescence or early adulthood, with more than half of all cases of bipolar disorder manifesting before the age of 25.
Nutrition and Bipolar Disorder
In the August 2007 issue of the journal "Bipolar Disorder," Amy Kilbourne of the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion indicates that patients with bipolar disorder are relatively likely to have poor nutrition and exercise habits. In comparison to patients without a diagnosis of serious mental illness, patients with bipolar disorder were more likely to skip meals, struggle to obtain or prepare their own food, and gain 10 lbs. or more in the previous six months. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating regular meals at similar times each day is an important facet of self-care for bipolar disorder.
Depression
Depression is a term covering a huge spectrum of mental illness diagnoses. A diagnosis of a depressive disorder is usually made when a person's feelings of sadness and depression have negative effects upon his daily life, relationships and functioning. The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that major depressive disorder, also diagnosed as major depression, is a disabling condition which interferes with a person's normal functioning in life. Dysthymia is typically diagnosed when a person experiences less severe symptoms than those of major depression, over a period of two years or more. Minor depression is usually diagnosed when symptoms are shorter-term or less severe than those associated with major depression or dysthymia.
Nutrition and Depression
Because there are so many different types of depression, there are many different nutritional approaches to complementary therapy for the disease. An article published in the November 2005 issue of the journal "Biological Psychiatry" indicates that poor nutrition can increase your risk of developing depression. Pregnancy can deplete nutrients in your body and increase the risk of postpartum depression. Specific nutritional deficiencies can increase your risk of depression, so increasing intake of these nutrients could reduce your risk or symptoms of depression. These nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids (such as in fish oil), folic acid, vitamin B-12, zinc, iron and selenium. Consult your doctor for advice about appropriate nutritional supplements and dosage.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder
- "Bipolar Disorder"; Nutrition and Exercise Among Patients with Bipolar Disorder; A.M. Kilbourne et al.; August 2007
- National Institute of Mental Health: What are the Different Forms of Depression?
- "Biological Psychiatry"; Nutrition and Depression: Implications for Improving Mental Health Among Childbearing-Aged Women; L.M. Bodnar et al.; November 2005
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