What Are Natural Bipolar Treatments?

Bipolar disorder, or manic-depression, is characterized as a brain disorder by the National Institute for Mental Health. This disease has devastating effects on the lives of its victims and the victim's family, social circle and co-workers. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the costs of treating bipolar disorder may top $45 billion each year. Natural remedies, far less costly than conventional medications, are as close as the local grocer, health food store and gym.

Nurture with Nature

In the book "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing," considered to be the "go to" authority for health food stores, Phyllis Balch, CNC states persons suffering from bipolar disorder should consume a diet consisting mainly of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. Sugar and sugar-containing products should be avoided as well as all foods containing artificial additives. Additives in food have been suspected of causing severe reactions in the body ranging from anger to severe allergic reactions.
To determine whether a food is close to natural, read the ingredient labels. Whole fruits and vegetables do not have labels, neither do fresh meats, chicken, turkey or fish because they are not required to be labeled. An apple is an apple, and nothing more. If packaged food must be purchased, read the labels. Anything that does not sound like it came from nature probably didn't.

Soothe the Spirit

The smell of soothing cinnamon, the hunger stimulating aroma of vanilla, the vibrant scent of orange and lemon---aromatherapy calms the mind when stressed and lifts the mood when depressed. Pervading calm helps bipolar patients stay focused while enabling them to be more productive in career and home life. Elevated moods prevent the patient from the desire for social withdrawal. Used effectively in hospitals subscribing to the Planetree method of healing and health promotion, techniques such as dabbing lavender on cotton balls and baking fresh bread to infuse the air with aroma helps calm agitated patients in place of anti-anxiety medication.

Lift with Endorphins

Endorphins are the "feel good" chemicals in our bodies that are released through engaging in exercise, eating chocolate or having sex. Physical activity that raises the heart rate benefits the body with stronger muscles and bones and also releases the endorphins that keep us feeling positive and "jazzed" for hours after the activity has ended. Endorphins are powerful mood enhancers eclipsing any manufactured drug available. Thirty-minutes of group exercise each day gives the patient a social base with like-minded health conscious individuals.