Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a chronic condition that typically develops in people around teenage and gets worse as they grow older. The common symptoms include extreme mood swings, changes in thought patterns, overactive mind, insomnia, grandiose delusions, hallucinations, impulsiveness, social withdrawal, depression, fatigue, poor concentration, and suicidal thoughts.
Patients experience cycles of extreme highs and lows in emotions. Symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on the stage. The severe mood swings, due to bipolar disorder, tend to delineate an affected person from family, friends, and social life, disrupting relationships and normal daily life completely.
The patient might even start relying too much on alcohol and drugs. At this stage, it is very important to diagnose and treat the disorder properly, which also involves support from family and friends. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can easily be managed with the help of natural treatments given here.
Natural Ways To Cure Bipolar Disorder
Drink Green Tea
Green tea is a powerful storehouse of antioxidants and helps in keeping your body healthy and mind agile. It is one of the most effective natural remedies for treating bipolar disorder. So, brew some green tea and have it throughout the day to get its best health benefits. It will help reduce the severity of the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Consume Fish
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered very helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. If you have a bipolar disorder, you must make it a point to eat fish daily. Fish oil helps to improve the functioning of your brain and treats mood swings as well as depression.
So, include lot of oily fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel and trout in your daily diet. It will improve your overall health. If you do not eat fish, you could take fish oil supplements every day.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseeds are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for people suffering from bipolar disorder. Studies indicate that regular consumption of flaxseed oil helps in treating depression and mood swings. So, sprinkle some flaxseed oil over your salads every day. You can also chew on some flaxseeds as such to get its best health benefits.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is a popular herb which acts as an antidepressant. It is very beneficial in treating mild depression in people with bipolar disorder. You can make an herbal tea with the powder extract, or use a tincture that is easily available in health stores.Do consult your doctor, as it may cause side effects when taken with other medications.
Licorice
Licorice is another herb which can be used to treat various symptoms of bipolar disorder. It promotes the production of certain hormones in your brain and digestive tract, which are beneficial in treating depression and mood swings associated with bipolar disorder.
Brew some licorice tea by adding a teaspoon of its powder to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for ten minutes, strain and then have this herbal tea.
Cut Out The Caffeine
One of the most natural and simple remedy to treat bipolar disorder is to avoid caffeine. Eliminate it completely from your diet as causes irritability and withdrawal behavior.
Whenever you feel the need, drink water and fruit juices, which will be more beneficial for you. Also, herbal teas will be very soothing and relaxing.
Massage
A massage helps to relieve stress from your tired mind and body. It is very beneficial for people with bipolar disorder as it helps maintain their emotional well being.
A good massage at bedtime will also help you sleep well, which will prevent your mood swings and reduce depression.
Sleep Well
Sleeping well is very important as it reduces the intensity of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, allowing your mind and body to relax. Get at least eight hours of good sleep every night. Avoid sleeping at day time as it affects your sleep patterns.
At night, you can use herbs like passion flower and valerian root as sleeping aid. A tea of these herbs will help you sleep well, without worrying about any side effects.
Reduce Stress
If you have a bipolar disorder, reducing stress is actually the first step towards its management. Learn to relax despite a busy schedule you might have at work or home. Take a break between work and do some meditating and deep breathing exercises.Focus your thoughts on things that make you happy and just forget all the worries. Yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Art is very helpful in improving your mood and enhancing your well being. A pet can help relieve your stress and is one of the best natural remedy for people with bipolar disorder.Get a pet and spend leisure time with it every day. All these relaxing techniques will help reduce stress and severity of bipolar disorder symptoms.
Exercise Regularly
Research studies have proved that regular exercise is very beneficial in dealing with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is the perfect natural remedy that comes for free and involves no side effects! You can walk, jog, or do any aerobic exercise for at least half an hour every day.
Exercising helps stimulate the release of endorphins in your bloodstream. These are chemicals that make us feel happy and keep us in good mood.
Foods To Avoid
It is important to avoid foods that trigger the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Alcohol should be the first thing you want to avoid as it causes many complications in a person with bipolar disorder. Moods swings worsen with consumption of caffeinated foods, such as coffee, chocolates and soda.
Another important food to avoid is sugar. Yes, sugar aggravates the condition of your mood swings, which can result into a bout of depression. Wheat, food additives, corn and dairy products are some of the foods which many people with bipolar disorder are allergic to.
Check these out with the help of a food diary that you must maintain daily. Eliminate all those foods that worsen your symptoms, from your daily diet completely.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
