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Bipolar disorder, whether it’s type I or type II, is one of the more exciting of the mood disorders, perhaps beaten by only schizophrenia. The varied up and down swings make every day an unknown adventure, for the sufferer as well as those within the sufferer’s inner circle. I should know, being a sufferer myself. As a type II, I don’t experience the extreme swings of type I sufferers. My plate is full and varied enough for me though.

For those with bipolar, medication can be a blessing and a curse. With the right medication, moods can be relatively well controlled and life made manageable. With the wrong medication, all symptoms can be aggravated, the disorder altered and fatalities can occur. However, on reading the package inserts to all medications I’ve received, a worsening of symptoms is to be expected, as well as suicidal ideation being a possible side effect. It’s not very comforting information regarding a prescribed treatment that’s supposed to bring you out of the black. It’s also something that doctors generally don’t warn you about.

Side effects can also be a nightmare. They can be as light as having a dry mouth, or, barring suicide, as bad as memory loss and the retardation of cognitive abilities. For those who ethically oppose vivisection of animals during testing, it’s also of some concern to note that animals have been used to determine the safety of all drugs.

Which is why it comes as some relief to know that many studies have been conducted to find alternative, natural remedies. One of the most impressive studies has been conducted by Peet and Horrobin to determine the effectiveness of Omega-3 fish oil in treating depression and bipolar disorder. It was found that participants receiving the Omega-3 experienced improvements in sleep, and decreased depression, lassitude, and suicidal ideation. With no other side effects.

Other studies, such as the 1999 Harvard Study, have also shown that Omega-3 reduces depression and increases the periods of remission. It’s also been shown to be an effective supplement to prescribed medication.

It’s believed that Omega-3 works in much the same way as lithium and valproate. The two active ingredients of Omega-3 fish oil are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA is the more effective of the two, so when buying a supplement it’s important to choose one with a higher EPA content. Tuna, salmon and mackerel provide the highest natural sources of Omega-3 fish oil.

In terms of dosages, 1g of Omega-3 a day is considered sufficient for successful results. Studies have shown that higher dosages tend to fail. Doctors such as Andrew Stoll MD and Jerry Cott PhD, recommend that Omega-3 be taken with vitamins C and E to enhance absorption and effectiveness.

Some doctors say that taking capsules is the best way to ingest Omega-3, while others argue in favour of eating fish. A point of consensus, however, is that the fish should come from the ocean and not be farmed, as farmed fish don’t contain Omega-3.

It has been found that flaxseed oil, which also contains Omega-3, can be used to treat bipolar disorder and depression. It doesn’t contain EPA so it’s not quite as effective as fish oil, but it’s a worthwhile alternative for vegetarians. Flaxseed oil, however, may not be as readily available at health shops as fish oil, but it’s easy to order online. Specially recommended Omega-3 fish oil capsules and supplements are also easily available at online stores.

In one case study, a bipolar patient who didn’t respond well to medication, and who had additional drug and alcohol problems, tried Omega-3 fatty acids. Within four months her relationships with others improved dramatically, and her extreme reactions to small stressors have all but disappeared. She says that for the first time in her life she isn’t swinging up and down, and isn’t going to chance stopping the supplements to prove their effectiveness.

As not all medications work for all people, there is a chance that Omega-3 may not prove to be the panacea that everyone hopes for. There is, however, the chance that it will work for some. Several other studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of all kinds of natural treatments in treating bipolar disorder, such as Vitamin B12, Lecithin, Calcium Manganese, and Zinc. There are many avenues open to those of us who are tired of having our brains addled by the miracles of modern medicine, or who want to stand against animal testing. All it requires is a little bit of research, a little bit of faith, and a long conversation to convince our psychiatrists.

Recommended sites:

http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/fishoilscraps.htm

http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-15.htm

http://www.health24.com/mind/Medication/1284-1306,29897.asp

This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 5:18 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.