"The Bipolar Boom"
How bipolar disease has changed over time
Then:
Hippocrates Era: patients were described to alternate between melancholia and mania 1854: Coined "la folie à double forme", a (rare) form of insanity 1935-1944: Nearly 70% of people admitted during this time with bipolar. They were followed over 30 years and found to have good outcomes [well functioning, married, employed, lived in their own homes.] Those with mania recovered just as well as those with depression. In the pre-drug era, the affective disorders were seen as episodic illnesses, with fairly good long-term outcomes. 1980: Added to the DSM as a diagnosis |
Now:
1 in 40 adults in the US is affected by bipolar disorder 6th leading cause of disability worldwide Poor return to work rates Psychotherapy recommended as essential for recovery, but often not received by patients or inaccessible Most commonly treated with multiple medications Higher rates of children and youth being diagnosed with bipolar. 25% of youth treated with antidepressants convert to bipolar illness within four years. Viewed as a chronic illness, limited hope given to recovery. |
Do alternative approaches exist?
While there are limited studies investigating the use of supplements and nutrition for bipolar disorder, there is an obvious need to do better when it comes to mental health care.
There is a lack of whole person treatment and health optimization, given the focus of symptom reduction and stabilization with medication. Safety is stability are truly important, especially in acute flares of this disease.
But just as patients with migraines may have flares and need rescue medication, or those with IBS may need certain tools on hand to help when digestion isn't working quite right - but improving health overall, the flares and episodes and the ups and downs of symptoms will ideally become less, allowing better overall control and enjoyment in life.
There is a lack of whole person treatment and health optimization, given the focus of symptom reduction and stabilization with medication. Safety is stability are truly important, especially in acute flares of this disease.
But just as patients with migraines may have flares and need rescue medication, or those with IBS may need certain tools on hand to help when digestion isn't working quite right - but improving health overall, the flares and episodes and the ups and downs of symptoms will ideally become less, allowing better overall control and enjoyment in life.
Here are some of the common alternative approaches studied in Bipolar Disorder:
Elimination of food sensitivities and food stimulants [common triggers include: gluten, dairy, sugar, corn, caffeine] Improvement of lifestyle factors [encouraging regular sleep cycle, exercise, stress management and psychotherapy] Optimizing nutrition [choosing whole foods, organic, increasing antioxidants from fruits and vegetables] Addressing other clinical factors [low thyroid, reactive hypoglycemia, obesity, PMS/PMDD, chronic inflammation, anemias, etc] Customized supplementation [omega 3's, B Vitamins, Folate, Magnesium, Amino Acids, herbal medicine] |
There are many options when you look at optimizing the individuals health rather than treating a disease. This is especially important with mental health, because mental health issues are never just "one disease" with "one mechanism". They are a collection of symptoms [and sometimes signs], caused by an array of factors [biological, psychological, and sociological].
"The cure of the part should not be attempted without treatment of the whole". - Plato