Question:
A Holistic Approach for Treating Manic Depressive Disorders?
Answer:
If there is a mental disorder that is so perplexing and difficult to
treat and to recognize, it would be manic depression (bipolar
disorders). Scientists know little information about it. What we do know
is that it tends to have a high genetic cause. Of all the mental health
disorders, manic depression probably displays the most prominent genetic
link. Some suggest as much as 70 percent of persons with manic
depression also had a close relative with the disorder. No one knows why
some family members get the disorder and others do not.
The consequences of Manic Depressive Disorders are very serious.
Individuals with manic depression often lose their family, jobs, and too
often their lives. Usually people lose much before they go into
treatment. For some, even after they start treatment, they continue the
downward cycle due to the ineffectiveness of current treatment
strategies.
Only within the last twenty years has mental health practitioners found
treatments for Manic Depression. Lithium is still considered a
relatively new drug. Since Lithium, newer drugs have been used including
anti-convulsion medications such as Depakote and Tegretol. A person
might wonder how anti-convulsant medications work to control mood
swings.
One theory suggests that Manic Depression is really a seizure disorder.
This makes sense if you consider that most acute manic or depressive
episodes occur without rhyme or reason. Evidence for this theory exists
in some recent practices of diagnosing bi-polar disorders through sleep
deprived EEG. The reason the EEG needs to occur after hours of
wakefulness is that the brain is more susceptible to epileptic type
seizures in a sleep deprived state. If such an EEG indicates seizure
like activity then the diagnosis of manic depressive disorder is
confirmed. Usually an anti-seizure medication is thus prescribed.
Naturally, additional evidence for this theory exists in the fact that
anti-seizure medication is just as effective as Lithium in controlling
mood swings.
A major problem with the current use of medications for manic depression
is that rarely is the same dosage effective for an extended period of
time. In most people with manic depression, the medications work for a
while, but then are adjusted. Usually medications will need to be
adjusted many times. Often the changes involve using harsh drugs such as
an anti-psychotic medication that can have severe consequences on the
body. Individuals on anti-psychotic medication often gain weight and may
develop involuntary muscle movement called tardive dyskinesia. .
Another fact to consider is that medications do not heal the body.
Medications are given to reduce symptoms of manic depression. People
with manic depressive disorder are often told that they will need to
take medication for the rest of their life.
Not taking medication is not the answer either. For most people with
serious manic depression, medication is an absolute necessity. They
simply could not function without it. Thus when treating manic
depression medication should not be excluded.
The goal of holistic psychology in treating this disorder is to
completely heal the body. This healing process will reduce the need for
medication. Once medication has reduced the amount of manic depressive
symptoms, healing techniques can be applied to prevent increases in
medications and start the healing process. The ultimate goal of holistic
psychology is to heal all body organs associated with the production of
healthy brain chemicals and that prevent mood swings. Over time, if the
healing techniques are successful, the need for medication is reduced
and in some cases, people can eventually overcome their need for any
medication. The method of applying holistic psychology is to assist the
body to return to normal functioning as naturally as possible.
The Essential Elements to an Holistic Approach
Holistic Psychology is not just a simple prescription for treatment. It
involves adopting a lifestyle that encourages peace of mind, health and
enjoyment in life. Essential elements in this proposed treatment model
include diet, nutrition, exercise, biofeedback, mood control techniques,
and effective support systems. These elements will be explained briefly.
Each topic will suggest sources for further information. It has been our
experience that individuals who adopt a holistic approach to emotional
problems become healthy in many areas of their lives.
Diet
Few could argue that nutrition is an important component for healthy
living. Most Americans are reducing fat, monitoring cholesterol levels,
reducing their intake of artificial ingredients, taking vitamins and
other nutritional supplements, ceasing to smoke, etc. Has anyone from
the medical profession looked at the effects of diet and nutrition on
individuals with manic depressive disorder? The answer is that some
have. Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, summarize this research
and provide diet and vitamin and supplement information for manic
depressives. Among other recommendations, they suggest a diet free of
sugar, dairy products, alcohol, soda and caffeine. Whole grains,
vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes are encouraged.
According to Dr. and Mrs. Balch, whitefish and turkey should be eaten
twice a week. Our clients have agreed that much caffeine and sugar can
start a mild manic episode. Further information about dieting can be
obtained by reading the book: Prescription for Nutritional Healing by
James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.NC.. The importance of diet
can not be emphasized enough. To put it bluntly, a person with a manic
depressive disorder who continues to eat junk food (food with sugar,
caffeine, additives and preservatives) is not doing all that he/she can
do to get well. In many cases they drive their bodies to need more
medication to control their symptoms of manic depression. They continue
the downward spiral common to so many people with the illness.
Some medications prescribed to individuals with manic depression cause
the body to gain weight. This is an unhealthy side effect. If you need
to take these medications and are gaining weight, you still should work
toward a healthy body. This can be accomplished by doing exercises and
avoiding unhealthy foods.
If you choose to diet for weight loss, be careful to choose the right
kind of diet. Some diets may cause a chemical imbalance that is not good
for manic depression. Before trying any diet, understand how that diet
works and how it causes weight loss. Use this information with other
information that you are learning to make effective decisions that will
ultimately lead to full health. When in doubt, consult a physician or
psychiatrist that is also knowledgeable in nutrition and diet.
Nutrition
Just as plants and animals need nutritional supplements (e.g.,
fertilizer) to be healthy and productive, individuals with manic
depressive disorder need specific supplements. Dr. and Mrs. Balch
provide this information which includes high dosages of vitamin B
complex, various amino acids (e.g., L-Taurine, L-Tyrosine), zinc,
calcium and vitamin C. They suggest dosages and includes the level of
importance these vitamins place on developing a healthy body free of
symptoms of manic depressive disorder. We highly recommend that you read
the entire book. The book explains nutrition and how and why it works.
Once you gain an understanding of nutritional supplements, you are more
likely to make wise decisions concerning herbs, vitamins and healthy
foods that will help you have normal weight, overcome physical
illnesses, and develop a healthy, stable mind.
Exercise
The body needs exercise to stay healthy. Through perspiration, toxins
that are in the body can exit through the sweat glands. Individuals with
manic depressive disorders report that their moods are more stable when
their bodies are fit. Choose an exercise program that makes sense to you
and practice it daily. There are hundreds of exercise programs available
and you only need one that is right for you.
Mental Control Techniques
There are several techniques of mental control to choose from. These
include: hypnosis, meditation, accelerated conditioning, and relaxation.
These techniques can make a difference when the mood swings first start.
They may not be as effective if the mood swings are acute or intense.
However they can be an effective tool to prevent a mood swing from
getting out of hand. For example, people experienced in hypnosis know
that the mind can do amazing things. Through hypnosis, the mind can get
the body to do much what medications do (e.g., take away pain, reduce or
raise blood pressure, prevent migraine headaches, delay allergy
attacks). This phenomena can be helpful for individuals with manic
depressive disorders to control their moods. With self-hypnosis you can
actually prevent a manic episode or put yourself in a less depressed
mood.
Another technique that claims similar results is Accelerated
Conditioning. This technique was developed by a person with manic
depression. These are two of the many techniques for mental control.
The first step in using techniques for mood control is to pick a
technique that interests you. When your mood is relatively stable, learn
that technique. You are more likely to master a technique when your mood
is stable. If you have been tracking your mood swings, then you have an ...I do hope it helps. Please remind your sisiter that a doctor needs to be
consulted before givng any nobprescribed supplements to her child. I think I am going to invest in an exercise bike- I know regular
exercise helps but I have lost the habit-or maybe I am just lazy.
I am new to the internet but can I be nosy and ask how you come by
all the information for your regular posts. Do you have a special role
in the internet? I am a medical professional and coduct daily searches. My role is one of a poster. i hope that I am supportive and accepting. I think it all comes down to being accepting doesn't it? I know _I_
certainly could be more forgiving.
