[SillySelf]

Hello Everyone,

I have a question..Do any of you know of any herbal treatment or other alternative treatments for bipolar? Let me explain...My friend is married to a military person. Both of them believe that he is biploar, but he will not/cannot go for help because the military can kick him out for being diagnosed with it. He REALLY needs help, but can not go for treatment because he has put in a lot of years in the military and is close to retirement and he does not want to lose that. Is there any supplements, herbs, or other alternative treatments that he can use to treat himself with until he can retire? Thank you so much for your help. My friend and her husband have been married for 11 years and have 2 kids together, but both of them can not take this biploar much longer. It is destroying the entire family. THANK YOU for any help !!!

[Moose72]

I'm not sure, but I would hate to see a time when he had a major break from being un/undermedicated. Nevermind the kindling effect: Everytime you have an episode, its worse than the last.

[AniManiac]

He would probably have better luck with things like mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, an uber-stable sleep schedule and daily regime, and all that than anything herbal (which does carry risks...)

In the area of supplements: Melatonin for sleep; Omega-3 fish oil, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamin D for brain and mood support. I don't know that any of the supplements will produce noticeable effects, but they are supposed to be helpful.

[learningtoaccept]

You should tell him to look for the book The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder. I bought it last week and I have started with a high potency multivitamin, Lecithin, and GABA. The GABA produces noticeable calming effects and even helps my anxiety. The Lecithin is supposed to help stabilize mood and I definitely feel stable. If he can't find the book, here are some links that talk about amino acids and bipolar disorder.

Psych Central: Nutritional Supplements for Bipolar Disorder

Alternative Mental Health: The Role of Amino Acids in Bipolar Disorder and Mental Health

About.com Bipolar Disorder: Amino Acids

And here are all of Alternative Mental Health's articles on Bipolar Disorder. I found this site quite helpful.

[venusss]

Yeah, lecitin is a good thing (and doesn't hurt. It is good for the body if it don't help the mind).

Bach essences are quite helpful for many.

It is absolutely insane to try to "just hold on a little longer," when one's mental health is at stake. Will his years of military service be worth anything if his bipolarism worsens and his retirement is spent in rehabilitation from years of neglect? If he can't see a military doc then he should see a civilian. I don't know enough about the specifics to say more than that but I do know that the husband of an acquaintance of mine was trying desperately to get out of the military and became suicidal. His life is largely ruined now, he has PTSD and a host of other issues around that...still a young-ish guy too. So, my short answer is, do not delay any more seeking treatment. I have personal experience with this: my brother hung himself because he could not find adequate help for his depression...and he had at least sought help but just couldn't find the right solution in time.

Re "supplements", I concur with the others. I take fish oil, gingko biloba (which I think adds vit B as well), a Megamen multivitamin and St. John's Wort. There have been almost no side effects though St. John's Wort can cause stomach discomfort and sensitivity to light, both of which I've experienced to a certain degree. Get your friend some help pronto...and kudos for looking out for him.

[bipojo]

Hello u are a great friend. BUT your friend and her husband should first consider their family's happiness before considering his job. Maybe the military will offer him an alternative job within the military. But as a Bipolar sufferer I also know that my family gets tested too through my illness and I'm on meds and in Therapy.

[Resident Bipolar]

The issue here is that most "herbal remedies" are not proven scientifically to have any effect at all on a patient with pretty much any illness out there...especially bipolar disorder. The most effect that herbal remedies have on people is normally related to a placebo effect.

However...Omega 3 is proven to be good for the brain. Unfortunately the effects of Omega 3 are not good enough alone, especially in severe psychiatric conditions.

What is your friend's husband like in terms of relaxation and mindfulness etc? Mindfulness is proven to be very effective in the assistance of treatment of mental illness and sessions of such therapy are regularly conducted as a treatment for patients in psychiatric hospitals/units. There are a few (yet unfortunately rather expensive) courses that you can go on for mindfulness, in which you need neither a diagnosed medical condition nor a doctor's permission to partake in.

Good luck
RB ♥