Being Bi-Polar

[aromaticwings]

Was wondering if anyone has known of someone who is Bi-Polar to have been helped?

My other half..stubborn that he is.... is Bi-Polar and should be taking some meds.. but 1. he hates to take drugs 2. we just do not have the insurance for him to keep it up.

I am lucky that he is on the milder side of this but.. BUT..it has still affected his ability to keep a job..If he gets too stressed he either does something to get fired or quits..

I have been trying to get him to be raw.. some raw anyway in hopes to help him.. for several reasons.. he does have tummy problems and has an ulcer if he eats something too too spicey.. he tried a green smoothie once and drank the whole 32 cup but was miserable after.. guess it started stiring up old stuff and he was sick for days.. with tummy hurting terribly and gas and indegestin..but will eat salads and every now and then will tastes something I create.. but as I said he is stubborn.. he--we need to do this for health purposes plus to rid some weight.. I do not have the health problems he has.. I can eat anything with no problems..Except now I get full alot faster..and fatty stuff makes me sick...the "old" foods dont taste as good as they once did.. and sweets are too sweet unless it is raw...

anyway.. was wondering if anyone has been helped or if you have read of bi-polar being helped by this... he will take fruit smoothies.. so might start giving him more of them.. just worried about his tummy too...heavy sigh...

[dreamrawalwz]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but I am mildly bi-polar and I know eating raw helps a lot. I'm still having ups and downs consitantly like before, but the intensity has definitely decreased.

[Conscious Midwife]

Regulating blood sugar with "proper" intake spread throughout the day has helped folks I know.

[karenisraw]

Hi,

I am not bipolar, but did have depression. I don't have it anymore. I googled for you and found this site for you. I would highly recommend him eating as much raw organic as possible for his happiness and also make sure he is not deficient in any vitamins and minerals. Raw helped me become more stable emotionally and magnesium helped me with headaches and sometimes depression.

http://www.mhsanctuary.com/bipolar/selfcare.htm

k
:) :)

[solarliving]

Here is another alternative, it's called EFT, which stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. It falls into what is called meridian therapy. You can do it on yourself, it is really easy. Basically tapping with your fingers on specific acupuncture points while bringing up thoughts, memories, feelings. There is something called, "the personal peace procedure," where you write down all traumatic events in your life and go through one by one and tap on them. Eft has been gaining popularity among veterans being used for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I used it to quit smoking, quit coffee and deal with the many issues I had from childhood. Here are the sites: www.tapintoheaven.com- Enter site, scroll down, click English tapping points

www.emofree.com- The founder of EFT and its many uses.

Best wishes

[aromaticwings]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Solarliving--I doubt he will do the EFT thing but worth a try.

Karenisraw-- was there any particular raw food that seemed to help?? Or food combinations?

Thanks again...

[Crystl-jade]

I would say you are on the right track as far as thinking raw food would help.

That would surely make things easier for the body/mind connection.


crystl-jade

[karenisraw]

aromaticwings,

Bananas help depression, cashews and sunflower seeds have magnesium. The quality of fats helped me imensley. I eat nothing but coconut oil, avocado, olive oil and Tea oil as well as fats from raw nuts. I had a headache one day and ate some cashews and sunflower seeds and the headaches went away. I think it was a magnesium deficiency I had. I think he really should consider trying this raw lifestyle for his happiness. It is soooo worth it.

k
:)

[Arky]

Eat as many dark green leafies as you can - they contain plenty of high quality amino acids from which the body can build the neurotransmitters the brain requires for healthy functioning. Sprouted seeds and grains are also good sources of amino acids.

Also see this thread from a while back:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5264

I wish you well.

J.

[RawTruth]

Bi-polar disorder is a serious, serious, serious condition and shouldn't be confused with uni-polar depression ... even if one's depression is chronic and severe. I have experience with and knowledge of the range of behaviors and current treatments since two close family members are bipolar. NAMI has very good information, trainings, and support groups. This diagnosis is nothing to mess around with since there is such a high rate of suicides -- even when someone is in a manic phase.

I know you haven't asked for this, but I highly recommend any of NAMI's family trainings ... loving someone who is bipolar is exhausting and demanding and too many people don't know how to preserve their own precious sanity and serenity. Also, NAMI is a good place to start to find whatever support groups are available for him in your area. They are free and are often the only place a bipolar person finds others who know what their reality is like and who are managing their disease and can give them hints and advice.

Back to your original question, though -- I have no doubt that an all raw diet could help balance the unbalanced neurochemistry of a bipolar brain. This is my rock bottom belief.

However, I also believe it would take that person himself being extremely dedicated and highly motivated ... not to mention being stable ... in order to stay on it long enough (perhaps 6 months to a year?) to see improvement. Manic-depressives have a horrible track record of going off meds, and going raw might not seem much different to him if someone else is telling him it's what he need.

I don't want to discourage you, but I think it's best to be realistic when it comes to mental illness. Perhaps the best you can do is just quietly go about your own raw lifestyle and be the living example for him. Meanwhile, if you're the one doing food prep, don't overload his digestive system with too much too soon. Introduce one thing at a time -- small amounts. (I have to wonder what was in that green smoothie to cause him such discomfort -- unless he's not used to having fruits and vegetables every day in which case 32 oz. could have definitely shock his system!)

However, I don't think it's realistic to think that just adding more fresh foods in his diet is going to "cure" his bipolar disorder. I mean, I'm totally sold on raw & living foods without a doubt, BUT this is a situation that is very complex and individual and not prone to improving with anecdotal remedies.

My very best wishes and thoughts will be with you in this trying situation. Take good care of YOU!!!


p.s. There are ways of getting free meds from the pharmaceutical companies. Even though I don't think medication is the answer for many diagnoses, a medicated bi-polar is SO much better than a dead one!

[theresaann]

with neurological imbalances, just like ANY health imbalance-diet is the number one cause and cure.

My godmother was dx. bipolar many years ago after a seemingly normal life up to that point. She was in and out of institutions constantly, and going off her meds continually. The last time I saw her, about 9 years ago, she looked fantastic, was clear in her eyes, totally centered and balanced-the godmother I knew as a child! I asked her what was she doing-she said she discovered this amazing healing secret for healing bipolar disorders (and all mental disorders, of course)-she cleaned up her diet. Imagine that!!

actually she said the most impt thing was that she quit eating sugar and she did go vegan at that point as well (although cooked). Her transformation was amazing. She also said that the people in the hospital with her were all sugar addicts and that those dx with schizophrenia were the worst. She also said that the institution had a CANDY STORE on the premises and would allow patients to buy all the candy they wanted TWICE A DAY!! she said the line was down the hall. She said the people with schizphrenia would actually eat sugar right out of the packets in the cafeteria in addition to buying candy at the "candy store". CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??? those hospitals are DOSING people on SERIOUSLY toxic pharmaceuticals and then spoon feeding them sugar. It is REALLY disgusting.

one of my clients brother is bi-polar and she said he too is a sugar addict.

lots of studies have been done showing a change in diet can help even severe paranoid schizophrenics get off their meds-but like rawtruth says, compliance in these cases is probably even harder than for the rest of us blessed to not have as severely imbalanced neurochemicals.....

sorry for the long post, but this subject is fascinating to me...these diseases, like all others are SOOOO easy to avoid....

[Beanie]

Well, on this one I would have to say that I would be extremely cautious in going off of meds. Both Schizophrenia and bipolar I believe are more neurological problems that aren't so easily corrected with diet alone. I certainly think it could help tremendously though! But I would not take someone off their medications without careful observation. These mental illnesses are not like cancer, and I think it is possible over a long period of time to maybe almost get off of meds through proper diet, but I do think these illnesses have a more biological rather than environmental cause. I must agree with RawTruth on this one! I dated a bipolar guy and they can be extremely draining, needy, unpredictable, and unreliable. Even when "cured," they still are only one step away from illness.

[firefaery]

Schizophrenia has been conclusively linked to a damaged gut. It is neurological, but as a result of a lack of minerals, myelin lining and neurotransmitters, all of which rely on gut health. I do not advocate going off meds unsupervized, but with a qualified professional it is certainly possible. Bi-polar disorder is currently also being treated with nutritional therapy, though I'm not aware of any studies that have stated it is solely a result of poor gut health. I believe that is the root cause though. Make sure you inderstand that I am not saying poor diet, but poor gut health. One leads to the other, but they are not the same thing.

[RawTruth]

...these diseases, like all others are SOOOO easy to avoid....I just really feel like I need to advocate extreme caution in making broad statements like this one. I know this is very well intended, but I am concerned that someone who has this or another similar diagnosis might take this to mean it's okay to go off their meds or stop treatment themselves.

Again, this is a complex area about which I doubt that any of us (myself included) are qualified to "treat" even by suggestion. And ... the reality is that this is not necessarily so easy to avoid. Current thinking is that there is a genetic predisposition to bipolar which can be triggered by a stressful event -- either physical, psychological, or emotional. This event can be something totally out of the control of the individual like a car accident, for example. Or it can be growing up in an abusive home. Or it can be a single severe abusive instance. Or it can be drug use -- which puts physiological stress on the person. Or a bunch of other stressors.

Without a doubt, overconsumption of sugar is problem in all areas of society. However, in an insitututional setting and/or when the body chemistry is being altered with pharmaceuticals, sugar can be used to try to equalize moods -- or to elevate them -- or eaten just because it's just dang addictive. But I think it's oversimplification to look at this and deduce that sugar causes mental illness. If that were true, we'd all be raving nuts since I doubt there's anyone here who hasn't had sugar -- and lots of it -- in their life!

Again -- I am most ardent in recommending living foods for all ailments. I truly believe that it will heal the whole body and mind. But, this isn't harmless armchair quarterbacking; someone's life could be endangered by what we write in this thread. Regardless of what's been discussed on this forum or elsewhere on the internet -- or anecdotes of what helped someone's friends' mother's in-law -- we don't really know what will work.

We need to be careful. People with emotional and mental illnesses often feel bad about themselves and guilty enough (society sure help with this!) that they could easily start thinking that eating donuts when they were teens caused their disease. By then, the genie's out of the bottle ... and who will be around to comfort them and convince them that they're not to blame. This is a difficult enough situation for trained professionals (including naturopaths and holistic practitioners) and we just aren't qualified to diagnose nor treat.

Okay, my soap box is put away. 'Nuff from me on this.

[firefaery]

I will reinforce what I said. It is POSSIBLE to treat without meds, and it has been done. I am not volunteering info on how this is done, simply saying that you (well, your husband) has options. What you need to do is find a professional who is skilled in this area. The problem is not overconsumption of sugar-but that does not help. Not that you have said he is a sugar lover. Since he isn't wanting to take meds, do you think he'd be willing to take supplements? Is it about not wanting to feel drugged, or not wanting to have to do anything? There's a pretty big difference.
My advice (if you can swing it) would be to find a good naturopath, or ideally a classically trained homeopath. Look for one who is an MD as well as a DhT. The best combination is a DhT who was once an MD, but no longer practices allopathically. That way they have great background information, access to testing if they choose and the ability to write a script if it becomes necessary. In my opinion, that would be the best place to put your money, because it covers all bases.
There is very accurate and informative testing being done with amino acids. It's a simple urine test and measures which specific amino acids a person is deficient in. Until you can heal the gut it is possible to supplement with the specific AA necessary. It's about $200 for the test.
You do need to get some help, it's just a matter of which direction you would like to go.

[mypinkbow]

If you or someone you love is considering going raw to reduce symptoms of depression and/or bipolar or any other mental health diagnosis go raw first and see if this helps first. If it does then in cooperation with your doctor discuss a slow gradual taper off your medications at no more than 10% at a time. This may seem small but these medications have severe withdrawal symptoms which can produce intense flu like symptoms and if you stop cold turkey the results can be horrible long term. I had resistant depression and took antidepressants for 8 years. I went raw for just 10 days last year and the depression lifted. With the cooperation of my doctor and the help of another online group I was able to get off my meds over a 4-5 period of time. I also took 2 tablespoons of Carlson's Fish Oils daily as well as a high quality liquid vitamin. With each small reduction, the side effects were horrible. It felt like how one would feel going cold turkey from heroin. There is a website with a plethra of information you might check out. They don't advocate a raw diet but they do advocate a very healthy diet. Hope this helps.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Withdrawal_and_Recovery/

[RawTruth]

And ... different meds have different side effects when going off them. Flu-like symptoms are awful enough, but some cause "brain" things to happen when reducing or going off cold turkey. You get an "electrical" charge or buzzing sensation (not a sound but a feeling) when moving your head or even looking from side to side. Also strange skin sensations like being ultra sensative to even the air on your skin. These things -- whether SSRIs or older drugs -- can be hideous to go off of and absolutely need to be done under supervision and guidance.

Of course, HE is the only one who can make these choices, no matter how many suggestions and support are given.

Again, to original poster -- the best way to start is by contacting your local NAMI chapter. Local in-person support can make all the difference.

[theresaann]

I said all disease conditions are easy to avoid and heal, I didn't say people should go off meds unsupervised. Unfortunately, how many allopathic doctors are going to support their patients getting off meds with a living food diet? I'd guess not too many....

Eventually more M.D.'s will embrace raw foods, like Gabe cousins, and can help people get off meds AND do raw at the same time.

[aromaticwings]

Again thanks to everyone for their reply to this toic.I have learned alot. Frustrating as it may be.. It will eventually fall on his head to be determined to help himself. Maybe I get to negative with him and this pushes him further in to the darkness.

I will live my raw life and gently nudge him to coming with me on this path.

Regarding his meds.. he just doesn't like taking them.. although when he is in the up phse he does wish he had his meds for that to shut out the noise so he could sleep.. Sleep deprivation is the main problem with him..physically...

I was with another Bi-polar person and they are two totally different types.. both ends of each extreme.. This I will keep this one.. as passive as he is.. I will keep his problems and we will wrok through them.. I am just not used to taking care of someone who can take care of themselves. I have always fought them being lazy.... but I know this is not only laziness.. so i have to adjust.I just do not want him to hide behind it..

Regarding the smoothie.. actually I think it was just fresh juices..with kale, celery parsley, and romaine... but like you said could ahve been a shock and started stirring up some bad things...

RawTruth... do you have a website url for the NAMI? I am not sure what all that stands for..

[b_light]

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have taken lithium, depakote, and lamictal along with almost every anti-deppresant on the market. I'm not sure that I actually have this problem as some/all of my manic stages may have been drug induced.

I took depakote for a few months and gained something like 40-50 pounds and fell into a "shallow depression" (for the lack of better words). I stopped taking it one day, and never looked back (don't advise this since no one else seems to, but it didn't seem to do anything).

Then about six months or so down the line I got super depressed again and went back to the doctor and got lithium (I wanted an anti-deppresant, but they have to give you a mood stabilizer once its in your report). The regular lithium made me throw up so I got changed to extended release and it also put me into a "shallow depression". I took lithium for almost a year and then actually tapered off of it (agaisnt my doctor's wishes, but I at least did it the right way).

About a year ago or so I got horribly depressed again (I tend to downplay what I call 'depressed' but most of the time I use the word I'm suicidal--I don't usually get help unless I am) and got Lamictal. I took it for two weeks and didn't notice anything.

Then, a few months ago, I got very suicidal and did NOT want more medicine (it never helped anyway). I made an appointment with a different doctor (a counselor instead of psychiatrist) and he helped me a lot. He suggested a book--> Guide to Rational Living, by Albert Ellis. He also told me to eat right and exercise. I began eating more raw (probably something like 75%) and exercised 6 days a week.

Although I think the book helped the most, I do believe that eating raw and exercising has taken away some of my problems. I can't say for sure, but I know that I haven't been suicidal or manic in over five months.

I would be glad to share more if you want or you can email me.

[livingatthetop]

Ok I would like to say that refering to people with mentall illnesses as raving lunitics is un acceptable. Next every illness mental psycial what ever it is can be cured and helped trimendouly when one follows a 100 percent raw food diet. I really don't appereciate your post rawtruth because you mainly were negitive. I would rather someone on medications than dead.? Nope usauly I don't get involved with back and forth discussions however I would like to say that their are so many happy healthy people with mentall illness sergons at my mom hospital mariah carey and toons of other happy successful folks.
Life is what ever you make out of it. I know people who have no feet no legs and they absoluty believe in themselves and make the best of their lives ,I also know people who are blessed with everyhting goodlooks and everything intacked however they don't go anywhere. Life is what ever you make of it.
mental illness just like diabetes cancer what ever can be healed if they put themselves first and take good consistant actions to do so. I believe that most people with mental illness know the horror of what they went through when they did'n ttake their medication or ate the wongs foods that werent healing so someone from the outside looking in can only give advisce that can go so far. Having said that I want you to know rawtruth that this s in no way personal I just had to stand up for people with mental illnesses and let them know that if you take care of your health and take hede to your doctors and make an informed desiion you will not only be fine but you can and will live a beautiful and worthwhile life living out all of your goals and dreams just like anyone else.


sincerely shernell

[livingatthetop]

I am not saying to disregard your doctors just get stable and then start believeing in you believe in your success and everything will fall into place. When you are stable which it sounds like you are keep it going and live the best life that you are capable of living!

[firefaery]

I don't see where you read "raving lunatic" anywhere on this thread. I tried to find it, but couldn't. Most of us can agree that a raw diet will have many health benefits, but it just isn't that easy. If the depression is due to a mineral deficiency and a lack of amino acids, a raw diet may help...in a couple of years. A raw diet with necessary supplementation may help in a couple of weeks. Big difference. People with mental illnesses, like anyone else, need to know their options. Being significantly depressed can make it difficult to find information, let alone sort out what would or wouldn't be helpful. I'm not sure where you saw the negativity?
It isn't the poster that needs help, it's her husband. Making the best of your life if your brain isn't functioning properly in any case is a pretty tall order,

[firefaery]

Disregard my last sentence. I see that it wasn't meant for the OP.

[livingatthetop]

Raving nuts. I really don't think that rawtruth ment this deroatory comment in anyway I just wanted to point it out because these thoughtless comments are ways of stero=typing people with mental illness and It is just these comments that hurt people's feelings and neglect the psyical aspesct of mental illnesses
Right! I did say that when a person becomes stable is when you must have the confidence to move forth and live the best life that we can.

Allot of what everone said is truth and in the ned we all have the same goal.
I am just poing out what I felt was left out,the postive ways a person can excel in life with a mental illness.

[RawTruth]

This is exactly what I wrote.
But I think it's oversimplification to look at this and deduce that sugar causes mental illness. If that were true, we'd all be raving nuts since I doubt there's anyone here who hasn't had sugar -- and lots of it -- in their life! ... and this:
Again -- I am most ardent in recommending living foods for all ailments. I truly believe that it will heal the whole body and mind. But, this isn't harmless armchair quarterbacking; someone's life could be endangered by what we write in this thread. Regardless of what's been discussed on this forum or elsewhere on the internet -- or anecdotes of what helped someone's friends' mother's in-law -- we don't really know what will work. ... and, again, this:
We need to be careful. People with emotional and mental illnesses often feel bad about themselves and guilty enough (society sure help with this!) that they could easily start thinking that eating donuts when they were teens caused their disease. By then, the genie's out of the bottle ... and who will be around to comfort them and convince them that they're not to blame. This is a difficult enough situation for trained professionals (including naturopaths and holistic practitioners) and we just aren't qualified to diagnose nor treat. I don't really see how anyone who has really read my posts can view what I've written as insensitive. And, obviously, the OP hasn't. However, if one person has, there may be more who are lurking who also are offended, so, I'll give another try at 'splainin ;)

What I've written here has been with hyper-awareness that those who read this thread may themselves be bipolar, uni-polar, schizophrenic, or have any other mental diagnosis. They too often hear that just positive thinking or a change of their attitude will make their life better. While this is undoubtedly true for most people, don't you think that if they could do this, they would? No one who hasn't been there themselves knows what it's truly like at the bottom of the darkest, dankest, most hopeless depression (not in the sense that we lightly use the word "depressed" when we're merely having a tough time of it for a while or we're having a blue day)... or in the grips of a flying-high manic phase where everything we think is fantastic and even though we know we'll have to live with out impulsive decisions, we can't stop ourselves and we haven't slept in days. Repeat - this is not a simple situation; it is complicated, complex, and, while we may have our opinions, we aren't qualified to give advice. That's basically all I've said ... and, I've tried to do it with the compassion I feel and the knowledge I have from much personal experience.

If my colorful choice of words comes across as harsh, I'm trusting that the content of what I've written about this will save me from anyone else's judgment (hopefully no one rushes to judgment here ... or anywhere ... without a thorough reading of ALL the posts).

No personal offense taken. I'm sure you're as well-intentioned in your sentiments as I've been in mine.

It's just sometimes difficult to assess what a person really means in an artificial forum like this. It'd be way different if we were all in the same room -- tone of voice, facial gestures, body language -- we could "read" each other's meaning so much more easily.

Whew! Hope that's cleared up now and everyone's all happy and peaceful in their little corners of the world!

[mypinkbow]

The problem with MD's not all but many and psychiatrists is they believe whole heartedly in the power of medication. I applaud the person who stated she went to a counselor vs a psychiatrist and got better with counseling in addition to raw food. As time goes on more will continue to be revealed about the dangers of these psych drugs. Big Pharma is not your friend. In my opinion these drugs are addictive and can cause more damage than good. Again, this is my opinion. And to the person who asked what NAMI is......National Association for Mentally Ill. NAMI although only lists medication for treatment of mental illness. Well, I take that back they do discuss several psychosocial interventions but no talk of nutrition. They do alot of advocacy work for people who are discriminated against due to their mental illness and public education. Good organization but like I said they only discuss medication for treatment.

[theresaann]

I hear ya, Rawtruth and got your communication!!!! Love love love, lovely!!! :p

[Mary Poppins]

Rawtruth, I appreciate your responses very much! I just read through this thread, and I didn't respond earlier because I have been busy with family crisis.
I have been diagnosed as bi-polar for 4 years now. I tried several medications, had ups and downs (some very very scary downs), and am now stabilized, on medication AND eating 100% raw.
The raw food has helped me so much. My goal in going RAW, among other things, was to center myself enough that in time, and working with a Dr. I would be able to taper off of the meds slowly and have a positive outcome.
I am not rushing going off meds, in fact, due to a substantial setback I have actually increased meds this last week.
Eating RAW has enabled me to be "quiet in my head" just enough to really help with those highs and lows.
To answer Aromaticwings I would say that ANYTHING raw is better than nothing raw. It's my opinion that you are so doing the right thing at this point. The raw food that your SO will tolerate and the knowledge that you are helping SO are so important! For me, eating bananas has helped, mono eating has helped. I enjoy garlic and onions, but on days that I'm irritable I may avoid them, because they don't calm my stomach. Chamomile tea is amazing for irritability. I enjoy calming and soothing foods, cold foods for mania. The medication topic I'm no expert at. For me, it is a matter at this point in my life to be a good mother to my three small children. I would do anything for them, and if taking medication at the moment allows me to be a stable mother, then I will do it. I don't resent my medication as I not so long ago did. But my ultimate goal will be to not have to take medication forever. But there is still much to learn about Bi-Polar disorder. I sure wish you THE BEST in your journey with SO. He's a lucky man!

[livingatthetop]

I just wanted to point out and iluminate the fact that people with mental illnesses can live a happy and normal life. In your post you wrote I would rather someone on medication than dead. Ok in serious situations this might be a problem however I feel that you should always try to illuminate the positive factors of living with a mental illness like you said this is a sensitive subject and many people are watching I just wanted to make sure that the people who are watching with a mental illness are encouraged and see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Also your comment that stated if we all had sugar we would all be "raging nuts" only perpetuates the exact thing that you are trying to discourage.

Raw Truth I know that you did't mean any harm by your comment however many people causialy use these terms and they are not to be tolirated.

If you are going to make a great statement about the wellness of bi-polar and then say sugar really isnt a culprat because we would be all we all beraginging nuts, it just isnt ok with me.

Also your statement that implies people with mental illnesses are easily influenced and who will be around to comfort them? First of all their are many people with mental illness who actually have confidence and who are extremly intune with their bodies.

It isnt personal I like and appreciate most of your posts however this subject hits home and I have to speak out

[jagged]

Livingatthetop

I am really trying to understand your problem with that RawTruth has written.

I found all her posts on this topic to be extremely sympathetic and knowledgeable, and not in the least judgmental. And, as she states in her first post, she has two close family members who are bipolar, so she knows whereof she speaks.

You have taken offence to her comment that “... a medicated bipolar is SO much better than a dead one!” What RawTruth is saying is that it is much preferable for a bipolar individual to be controlled on medicated than to run the risk of suiciding. What you have written appears to indicate you think bipolar sufferers should not be medicated - and therefore be at risk to harm themselves.

People with emotional and mental illnesses do have self esteem issues and are easily influenced – RawTruth is advocating caution against using statements that lend themselves to guilt-inducing thoughts. What we write on this or any other board can be read by anyone and God help us all if we were to cause further pain to someone already suffering. We must be cautious.

May I suggest you reread all that RawTruth has written, but read it slowly this time, and I am positive you will see the compassion and thoughtfulness of what she is saying. Her responses advise caution, increasing knowledge, and using common sense. There was nothing negative in what she wrote. I would be honored to have her on my side in a battle.

[livingatthetop]

:( sorry it posted before I was finished

[livingatthetop]

Ok I read over her posts and I can see her caring and heartfilled message
So I do apolige for not seeing that in the beginning.

I do want to humbly say what I ment and should have said in the beginning


I should have said that I would like to add on to what RawTruth has said

people with mental illness when stable can do what ever they what and basically take over the world meaning be as successfull and truly happy as they want!



Anyone can be easliy influenced and any situation can send someone into a great depression not just a mentally ill person

Selfesttem is something that everyone has to work on not just the mentally ill
anyone who hasent learned to love themselves has to work on their selfesstem

I would love to read everyones comments and I will but because I respect your opinions. please take the time to respect mine and with that I choose to not respond anymore because I stand behind my statements and because I am starving and just recived Alissa's book and dvd so I am about to go and create!


Just know that in my heart I just wanted to say the positive things that I know mentally ill people are capible of and I wanted to empower people with mentalillness which is let them know that when stable this world is theirs and with a little graditude and self-esteem they can do anyhting they put their hearts to!

And I know that rawtruth and everyone else can agree with that


Sincerely Shernell

[divaitalia]

This thread has been eye opening I am sure for those that don't understand or even know anything about bi-polar syndrome. I, for one, was diagnosed almost 3 years ago and was put on the drug Seroquel. I took it for 2 years and felt like a walking zombie. Yes, it did some good but the outcome was that I really didn't like being on drugs and was very against it until my partner finally said I should probably seek help. Well, I did seek help but don't know if it did a whole lot of good. I HATE DRUGS AND AM VERY ADAMANT ABOUT NOT BEING ON THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year I did the master cleanse and went off of all my meds: sugar, cholesterol and seroquel. Cold Turkey!!!!! I promised myself that I would never poison my body like that again. I was on birth control for 16 years and that alone almost killed my immune system. After doing my cleanse and going raw for some time, I FELT GREAT!!!!!!!!!

Maybe this was not the way to go for everyone and I do not recommend this to everyone and everyone may disagree with my methods, but I can tell you this for sure, I believe with all my heart that the raw and living foods lifestyle is the best way to go and when ever I feel a little out of control I know deep down that when I eat right and don't deviate(because when I do I can certainly tell) my bi-polar symptoms are not there anymore. I just have to tell myself that I will conquer this before it conquers me.

I agree with livingatthetop, people have to believe that they can lead healthy lives and not be on meds and believe in yourself and that you can be better when off meds. It is a daily affirmation that I will succeed.

Thanks for listening,

Divaitalia :o

[aromaticwings]

Ahhhh... divaitalia... If only I could get him to do as you. He just poo pooh's this most of the time... I will have to resort to other methods... <evil grin> Like make tastey treats so he will want to start having them instead of junk... Or nut milks so he will stop drinking so much cow's milk. hmmm to find a soda or tea replacement.... and he has gone from white sugar to liquid Sweet-n-low... grrrr. he tries but his mind is all ascew with what is right and what is wrong and just won't listen to me.. I even tried to read a couple of articles from the Not Milk site and he growls at me.."I don't want to hear about it!" soooooooooo :mad:
Thanks to everyone for giving pointers.. it has helped... now to move forward to doing some ingenuity. ;)

[Shmoopie]

There are SO many responses on this that I've definitely not read them all. If I'm repeating anything that's already been said, forgive me. It's 3:30am lol

One thing that is said to help with bipolar - not cure, mind you, but help - are omega 3's. A food source would be better than a supplement, and organic would be best. Flax meal from Bob's Red Mill (bobsredmill.com) is a great organic source for Omega 3's. It's also very cheap. One serving (2 tablespoons) has 2400mg of Omega 3. Even if he's on medication, he can add this to his diet. I've heard more people with bipolar than I can count say that this has helped them in some way. I've read about a few who have said it did nothing for them. It's not a cure, not a treatment, just possibly a helpful tool - but could make a real difference and is definitely worth a try.

Also, get him exercising. It's simple, he can do it at home for free, and it releases endorphins. You can't go wrong there. Again, it's not a cure but it can help him feel happier.

I'm sure a raw diet would probably help everybody feel just a bit better overall. Like other have said, however, don't go throwing the meds away and placing your trust solely in a diet/lifestyle change. Bipolar is a very big deal and it's not to be played with. More than anything, he needs to stay involved with his doctors as they are trained in this type of thing and have more of an idea how to handle these types of things than most of us on this board ever will.

If money/insurance are a problem and he needs medication, all you need to do is call your County Mental Health (in the yellow pages. Or call information). They provide a psychiatrist and meds and charge based on what the patient makes. If the patient doesn't work or makes too little money, then the help is free. If it's not free for him, they'll make it affordable. On again off again with meds is NOT good. Please just get him to a psychiatrist.

Also if he needs people to talk to, have him check out a support group (also in the yellow pages). I used to suffer from agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders and I went to a support group for people with anxiety disorders. It's not therapy and there are no psych professionals there. It's just people who all are giong through the same thing, but it made my life just a little more managable to be able to talk to people who were going through the same things as me. Helped me to know I wasn't alone and/or crazy. We all need that, ya know?

From the posts that I have read, I just want to say one more thing that I think is pretty important. There are many stories of people getting better ("cured") from all kinds of different things - diet, counseling, exercise, etc. and those are all truly wonderful stories. There's more than one type of depression, though. And while some may be caused from food allergies, other medications, supressing emotions, not sorting out the past, a traumatic event, etc...some are just plain ol' (and yet super complex) mechanical misfires in the brain (I absolutely don't mean that in a negative way, in case anyone took it the wrong way). When that's the case, sometimes people NEED medication. Nobody here - regardless of the stories we've heard or even witnessed - none of us are qualified to tell you what to do. A few obvious, simple changes can benefit anybody (like exercise and healthy diet), but no one here can tell you that your boyfriend should or should not do this without meds or psychiatric care. That's just not for us to say. Please, please, please be certain that he gets to a psychiatrist. The sooner, the better.

Good luck.