Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition in which the patient experiences moods that range from extreme depression to mania. Medications to treat the disorder often have unpleasant and disfiguring side effects, like uncontrolled chewing movements and facial expressions, which can persist even after the medication is stopped. Because psychiatric medications are expensive and carry serious risks, some people try macrobiotics to relieve bipolar disorder.
A Preliminary Warning
If you are on psychiatric medication and thinking of going off of them, please heed the warning offered by Peter Breggin, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who opposes nearly all uses of psychiatric medication: "Remember that it is not only dangerous to start taking psychiatric drugs, it is also dangerous to stop them. Experienced clinical supervision during drug withdrawal can be life-saving, especially if you have been taking medications for many months, or if you're taking multiple medications, or if you have serious emotional problems."
Link Between Diet and Bipolar Disorder?
Even mainstream medicine is willing to consider the link between diet and bipolar disorder. Andrew Stoll, M.D., a psychiatrist at Harvard reports that "most medical symposia on the issue include a section devoted to natural treatments." He and other psychiatrists have done research on omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and other natural treatments, although he cautions that natural treatments alone will not work for most people. Rather, they are adjunctive treatments that might reduce the need for medication without eliminating it completely.
Standard Macrobiotic Diet
The standard macrobiotic diet consists of 50 percent whole grains like brown rice, vegetables and beans as well as small amounts of fish and fruit. Macrobiotic people scrupulously avoid eggs, milk, meat other than fish, sugar, honey, strong spices, and any chemicals or artificial flavorings and dyes. They also avoid nightshade vegetables like potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes and peppers. Because the only animal products eaten are fish, people on this diet are more likely to ingest higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve outcomes for bipolar patients.
Dietary Modifications for Bipolar Disorder
The medical literature contains occasional references to people whose bipolar disorder was either caused or worsened by caffeine or to stimulants found in diet aids. For that reason, bipolar patients should reduce or eliminate caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, yerba mate and some over-the-counter medicines. Some people have found it helpful to eliminate gluten, spices and allergens. Above all, if you are using a macrobiotic diet to treat bipolar, consult an experienced macrobiotic counselor and inform your doctor about the diet.
References
- "Medication Madness: A Psychiatrist Exposes the Dangers of Mood Altering Medications"; Peter Breggin; 2008
- "Journal of Affective Disorders"; The Course of a Seasonal Bipolar Disorder Influenced by Caffeine; L. Tondo, et al.; August 1991
- "CNS Drugs"; Preventative Strategies for Early-onset Bipolar Disorder: Toward a Clinical Staging Model; R.K. McNamara, et al.; December 2010
- Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder: Definition
- Mayo Clinic: Quetiapine (Oral Route)
- "Psychology Today"; Managing Bipolar Disorder; Hara Estroff Marano; November 1, 2003
Member Comments