This section for bipolar disorder comprises energetically oriented treatments that have to do with intention, energy healing, prayer, and in some cases god. These terms may be volatile for some, and for others they resonate. Some of these spiritual bipolar disorder treatments have proven to be profoundly healing for certain individuals. Though some people are skeptical, prior notions of these words should be set aside when reading about these spiritual healing treatments, as many of the are truly incredible!
So take a look at which spirit treatments have been used for bipolar disorder, or add any that are missing.
Yoga is a great treatment for any health condition, even mood disorders like bipolar disorder. In addition to being good for the body (with the poses and stretching) the conscious breathing and meditative states can help encourage an even-keeled state of being.
Depending on the individuals underlying causes and specific symptoms, acupuncture may be able to treat some of the unpleasant symptoms of bipolar or other mood disorders. Specifically, acupuncture can help quell excessive energy during manic states, and help raise energy levels during severe depression.
St. John's Wort is quite possibly the most commonly prescribed herb for the treatment of depression. Since depression is one major component of bipolar disorder, St. John's Wort might be recommended and used for the treatment of depressive episodes which occur in a bipolar disorder individual.
Read more about how St. John's Wort works for depression.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that St. John's wort and other treatments that are meant to raise the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain which result in an elevated mood, might cause a manic episode to occur.
Herbal treatments have been working for centuries to help cure many ailments. For bipolar disorder, most herbal treatments will be used to either calm the person during a manic episode, or energize them in a time of depression. It is important to use these herbs with caution however, as some herbs used to raise mood during a depressed period might indeed cause a manic episode to occur in some individuals.
In addition to the herbs listed below as treatments for bipolar disorder, some herbal supplements can be used to help treat the symptoms of some bipolar disorder medications.
Folate may be useful for enhancing the effects of lithium, a common bipolar disorder treatment.
Herbal treatments have been working for centuries to help cure many ailments. For bipolar disorder, most herbal treatments will be used to either calm the person during a manic episode, or energize them in a time of depression. It is important to use these herbs with caution however, as some herbs used to raise mood during a depressed period might indeed cause a manic episode to occur in some individuals.
In addition to the herbs listed below as treatments for bipolar disorder, some herbal supplements can be used to help treat the symptoms of some bipolar disorder medications.
For some individuals, the manic depressive swings that accompany bipolar disorder and be induced by a lack of certain nutrients. Oftentimes, dietary treatments are designed to make sure the person has adequate nutrition through consuming nutrient-dense foods and supplementing when necessary. (Incidentally, supplements can, at the very least, help to mitigate the symptoms caused by many bipolar medications.)
Magnet therapy has been long popular in Japan, and has recently entered main-stream consciousness in the United States for its ability to possibly treat chronic pain and/or emotional disorders.
For mood disorders, magnet therapy involves applying low-frequency magnetic pulses to the brain. rTMS has been investigated for treating emotional illnesses and other conditions that originate in the brain. The results of preliminary studies have been generally promising.
A special form of magnet therapy, called rTMS, has shown some promise for bipolar disorder.9
Inositol, unofficially referred to as "vitamin B 8 ," is present in all animal tissues, with the highest levels in the heart and brain. It is part of the membranes (outer coverings) of all cells, and plays a role in helping the liver process fats as well as contributing to the function of muscles and nerves.
Inositol may be used to help treat bipolar disorder, and may also be prescribed to reduce psoriasis symptoms caused by lithium.21
A few studies have looked at the effectiveness of vitamin C in the treatment of bipolar disease, but in each one vitamin C was not the primary treatment being tested. 8,9,10
It is thought that vitamin C might play a role in helping to treat bipolar disorder, though this has yet to be extensively studied.
One study reported that an herbal combination utilized in traditional Chinese medicine ("Free and Easy Wanderer") may augment the effectiveness of carbamazepine treatment for bipolar disorder.20
One study reported that an herbal combination utilized in traditional Chinese medicine ("Free and Easy Wanderer") may augment the effectiveness of carbamazepine treatment for bipolar disorder.20
