how can i deal with depression and bipolar naturally?

Question

i have been on prescription meds for some time to deal with this issue. i have asked doctors for thier advice on natural remedies, but they look at me like i'm crazy to consider it. one doc said lots of vitamin e would maybe help...
i don't plan on completely quitting prescrip. meds, but i hate thinking of what they are doing to my body. if i could cut the doses down a little, with the help of natural remedy, i would even be happy.
pre-warning: my bipolar is a touchy subject, so please be thoughtful with your answers :) i hate to hear people tell me to think happier thoughts and i'll feel better; or that if i had a better relationship with god i wouldn't feel like i do. thank you!

as a side note: i work in an inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit, and you may be absolutely amazed at what prescription meds can accomplish! so far, there is no natural remedy that can completely take away the most severe disorders, and the havoc that they wreak on families. the worst cases of alzheimer's, dementia, parkinson's, severe bipolar, schitzophrenia... they can all be treated naturally to an extent, and you can help prevent them more that most people know by keeping a healthy lifestyle. i think that unless you have witnessed or experienced the most devastating illnesses, you will never believe that meds are a valid treatment.
the only way that i could safely and effectively raise a child was to take the only step that i feared the most- using prescription drugs. and it has changed my life for the good, and forever, whether i choose to stay on them or not. i just worry about the long term effects on my body.
btw, you can't see a doctor and trust god?! freak.

Answer 1

Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety / Panic Attacks / Stress / Depression(Bereavment) / Mood Swings :-

ANXIETY / PANIC ATTACKS & STRESS :-

Sudden with restlessness and fear of death, Panic Attacks, Aconite 30X or 200X,1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Prolonged with periodic and panic attacks Arsenic Alb.200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

With fainting spells; profuse sweating; worse in the morning Sulphur 30X or 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Makes patient walk fast; due to anticipation Argentum Nit 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Worse lying in bed and closing the eyes Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (6 Doses)

Anxiety aggravated by upward or downward motion; going in an elevator; worse till 11 P.M, Borax 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxious about business even when seriously ill Bryonia Alba 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Full of apprehensions in the evening Causticum 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety and fears in the evening with restlessness and palpitation Calcarea Carb.200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety worse while lying still. Sad music ameliorates the complaints Manganum Acet 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety due to fright, fear,exciting news; stage fright; worse while appearing for examination or interview etc Gelsemium 30X or 200X 3 hourly (6 Doses)

Mood Swings, Anxiety due to grief or shock in the subconscious mind Ignatia 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety; better after eating Anacardium Or 30X, 4 hourly.

DEPRESSION & GRIEF(Bereavement) :-

Severe shock due to sudden death of loved ones; restlessness, anxiety and fear Aconite 200X. 10 min (3 Doses)

Prolonged mournings; cannot overcome the loss of loved ones and/or Mood Swings. Ignatia 1M or 10M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

When the grief is in the conscious mind; patient weeps; does not like sympathy Natrum Mur.200X or 1M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

For chronic grief and indignation Staphysagria 200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

Depression with suicidal thoughts feeling of worthlessness, Aurum Met 30X, three times a day half hour before meals.


Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine (Cures Par Excellence)

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Mood Disorders / Affective Disorders, Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder :-

The fundamental abnormality of an affective disorder is a disturbance of mood, either depression or mania. Depression is by far the commoner; most patients who have manic symptoms are also prone to depressive episodes but the reverse does not apply. In a few cases depressive and manic symptoms occur simultaneously or in rapid succession (mixed affective state/ bipolar disorder)




CAUSE of Mood Disorders / Affective Disorders -- Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder
- Genetic Factors have some role in bipolar disorder.

- Environmental factors like

Loss of mother before age 11
3 or more children under 14 living at home
Lack of confiding relationship
Lack of employment etc
are known to play a significant role in mood disorders.

- Physical Illness - A physical illness can be followed by depression, esp. those like cancer, AIDS, and heart diseases etc which carry serious implications. Also mood changes can occur after infectious mononucleosis or influenza and other viral illness.

Depression or mania could be the presenting feature of cerbrovascular disease, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonism and endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome, Addison's Disease, and hypothyroidism.

Mood changes can also be associated with drug therapy, for eg. corticosteroids, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and other anti-hypertensive drugs. When mood disorder results directly from physical causes they are known as organc affective disorders.

- Personality - Some depressives have personality characteristics which are thought to predispose to the illness. this involves a negative attitude to oneself, the outside world and the future; the term 'cognitive triad' ha been applied to these attitudes.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Depression of mood is the primary symptom. There may be a diurnal variation of mood, depression being most distressing early in the morning or at the end of the day.
Loss of pleasure in life (anhedonia)
Loss of interest in oneself and others
Low self esteem
Self blame
Hopelessness
Suicidal thinking
Feeling of guilt and worthlessness
Sleep disturbance (initial insomnia, early morning wakening or hypersomnia)
Poor concentration
Fatigue
Headache and other pains
Anorexia (loss of appetite)
Weight changes
Constipation
Reduced libido
All these symptoms may not be present in any single person and the level of intensity of symptoms vary from person to person.

Mood Disorders / Affective Disorders -- Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder - HOW DIAGNOSIS IS MADE?

The diagnosis is usually done clinically based on the signs and symptoms.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT for Depression
Homeopathy offers very good treatment possibilities for depression with good results. There are large number of medicines which can be used and the selection of medicine depends not just on the symptoms but also on the cause. Depression is a manifestation of the disorder and to treat the manifestation it is necessary to find the cause. The success of treatment in such cases often depends on the ability of a homeopath to find the cause. The selection of medicine depends a lot on it. Like all psychological disorders, depressive illness also requires good case study and continuous monitoring by a competent homeopath. One should not try any form of self-medication. In qualified and experienced hands homeopathy offers good prognosis in this condition.

Some of the commonly indicated medicines are anacardium, arsenic-alb, aurum-met, ignatia, acid-phos, pulsatilla, natrum-mur, sepia, antim-crud, naja, nux-vom, stann, psorinum etc. The selection of medicine varies from case to case.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT for Depression

Antidepressant drugs, cognitive therapy, and electro convulsive therapy are used.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? - ACCESSORY MANAGEMENT

Visit a psychotherapist or join a support group where you can talk about your emotions freely.
Be more open with your family and friends - do not hide your feelings, share them.
Try to remain actively involved in some work/job.
Exercise daily - it not only is good for your body, but also for your mind. Exercise is known to increase the level of many neuro-hormones, which bring a feeling of well-being and happiness.
Eat a well balanced and nutritious diet with ample fluids.
Learn some meditation, yoga, or stress relieving exercises. These help a lot in regaining your control over your emotions.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MANIA
Sense of well being evident as elation or ecstasy
Confidence and self-esteem are high
Grandiose ideas without any substance.
Thoughtless and risky behavior
Delusion of being especially gifted or of being well-connected.
Thoughts come rapidly
Speech is fast
Physical activity is increased
Appetite is initially increased but may be decreased later.
Sleep hours are reduced, but this does not cause fatigue.
Promiscuity may occur.



HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT Mania
Homeopathy offers many medicines which work in such cases. In experienced hands the long term prognosis is good. Some of the medicines commonly used are belladona, stramonium, varatum-alb, hyoscamus, cuprum-met, nux-vomica, tarentula, syphilinum, lachesis, arsenic, cocaine, coffea, platina etc. There are many more medicines and the selection of medicine varies from case to case. The cause and past history of a person play a significant role in the selection of medicine. All such cases require continuous monitoring by an experienced physician.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT for Mania

Neuroleptic drugs like haloperidol or a phenothiazine or lithium carb are some of the drugs that are commonly used.

Electro convulsive therapy is given to resistant cases.

BIPOLAR DISORDER
It is a mood disorder in which depression and manic symptoms occur simultaneously or in quick succession. It was previously known as 'Manic Depressive Psychosis'. Each phase of mania and depression may lat for many months.

BIPOLAR DISORDER - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Refer those of depression and mania

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT for BIPOLAR DISORDER
Homeopathy can help cases with bipolar disorder. Albeit the treatment is more prolonged and difficult than that of unipolar disorder. Most of the medicines used are similar to those used for depression and mania. The treatment usually continues for extended periods as each phase can last for many months. Also there is a tendency of relapse in such patients. But homeopathy does offer a better long term prognosis.

http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/mood-symptoms-treatment-cure.asp

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I hope the provide information proves to be of help to you.Feel free to email me if you need to ask anything about Homeopathic Medicines and treatment.

Take care and God Bless you.

Answer 2

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 3

Highly intelligent seem to get into this state.
Seen too many young and gifted kids getting in this state, some ending tragically, because of ( very logically) arguing why they feel that they should stop the prescribed medicines.

The best option might be to remain on the medicines, monitor regularly, while exploring alternative medicines.

'Dont worry, Be Happy' does not work: however, a lot can be done to rein in galloping thoughts. Non-denominational meditation ( No God, surrender or any such) will still thoughts. If one can manage two 20 minute sessions every day, it will help a lot.

Advising one to avoid being intelligent is a stupid option and is not being made.

Answer 4

I was feeling off like I was having depression and I wanted to find some alternative ways of doing it naturally. I went to the Natural Store and spoke with the owner. She read my energy and asked me questions about my symptoms. She gave me this stuff called Silver Hydroate and told me to drink half the bottle, this cerebral stuff to put under my tongue twice a day. I was skeptical but decided to give it a shot. I don't know what happen but I did a complete 180. I didn't feel off and I felt more calm, almost like a new person. I would talk to someone who knowledgeable about alternative medicine and give it a shot before you you go back to medication. I also exercise every other day.

Answer 5

DO NOT GIVE UP! Its unfortunate that youre depressed but it is what it is. You are not gonna let your depression have any part of your mind easy. Give it all you got. Do NOT EVER GIVE UP until you have beat it.

Answer 6

I think it's great what you are wanting to do, and my recommendation would be find yourself a really good naturopath who will work with you and your doctor to give you a more well balanced treatment that will be monitored so you're body doesn't get out of whack. I would be very careful making changes without the proffessional help.

Answer 7

I had a really bad problem with postpartum depression after my second child and I really did not want to use medication. I had to look all over my city to try and find a therapist that would actually talk to me to find alternatives and not merely hand me an RX and send me on my merry, drugged up little way. Exersise will do you a world of good, it releases endorphins into your blood which will make you feel better. I was on a strict schedule of yoga and jogging. I also had a diet of chemical free foods, so only organic meat and few preservatives, alot of vegtables and water. I also took a bio-feedback class that helps you moniter and recognize your body's reaction to certain stimuli. All of that and talk terapy once a week and I was able to handle it medication free. It wasn't easy, but I was very proud of myself for the accomplishment.

Answer 8

http://www.labelmesane.com/

Even if you dont want to get off meds completely as i did ...you can still manage your condition naturaly with this program. It will, if you continue to take the meds, take away side effects that you may have and ones that you have and dont realize. It will also improve your condition so that you may decide to get off meds or find out that you are good on a lower doseage.
I had tried and tried to find natural alternative to the 12 medications that i had been fed over a 5 year period. They all looked at me like i was crazy to. I tried to quit takeing them but the withdrawl was so painful i always ended back on. This program allowed me to get off medication with no withdrawl and no rebound effects. .

And yes "thinking happier thoughts and having a relationship with god" is something that people say that really ....well words that i cant put here!!!! They have obviously never been where we have been!

EDIT TO ADD:
I did it on my own without my doctors because they were against it.

Answer 9

I once went to a chinese doctor for acupuncture and herbal treatments. None of my physical symptoms improved but my mood was the most stable it had ever been. (the "tea" i had to drink was really disgusting.)

Answer 10

its not an easy thing ,go to an health store but bring your current meds with you so they can find natural remedies to work with them not against them.try to take walks in the evening,try to cut back on things like sugar,try not to sleep to much, your seretonin level is out of wack and its not your fault its something you were born with. i heard of something called st.johns wart it is sold at health food stores good luck to you sunshine and walking,and any doc that says they wont cut your meds back are silly guess it would b time 4 new doc

Answer 11

u cant go to the doctor and ask god to help u