For many people, having a faith-based or spiritual practice can be a helpful tool in managing bipolar disorder, along with medication and conventional therapy.
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and guided imagery can be very effective at reducing stress and keeping you on an even keel. A daily relaxation practice can improve your mood and keep depression at bay. Make leisure time a priority.
Medications can treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but natural remedies may also help stabilize a person's mood. Examples include exercise, dietary choices, and counselling. Some people also use omega-3 and other supplements.
Meditation won't cure bipolar disorder, but it may help improve your mood. The best results have been seen for symptoms of depression associated with bipolar disorder, along with symptoms of anxiety.
A stressful circumstance or situation often triggers the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Examples of stressful triggers include: the breakdown of a relationship. physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
Magnesium: Magnesium — found in whole grains, beans, and dark leafy vegetables like spinach — has been shown to have an effect similar to lithium, the most common bipolar medication. Upping your intake of magnesium, a natural mood stabilizer, may decrease your need for medication.
Adaptogens, exercise, nutrition, meditation or mindfulness, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D are some examples of natural mood stabilizers.
Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
People living with bipolar disorder should aim to get the recommended amount of sleep for their age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends more than seven hours per night for adults. 13 However, what's most important is sticking to a consistent sleep schedule.
Eating a balance of protective, nutrient-dense foods. These foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, cold-water fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, soy products, and nuts and seeds. These foods provide the levels of nutrients necessary to maintain good health and prevent disease, in general.
Eat at Least Three Non-Starchy Veggies and Two Fruits Every Day. And choose some of the most nutritious: Dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and collards, and other deeply colored non-starchy vegetables like carrots and sweet peppers, along with citrus fruits and berries.
The phrase “bipolar meltdown” could refer to a bipolar person having a manic episode or being in a depressed state. These conditions could cause them to lose control of their emotions and have trouble managing them.
Some examples of jobs that may not suit those with bipolar disorder include: Food service worker: These jobs can be stressful, as they are often fast-paced and involve a high level of interaction with the public. People in this line of work often have to handle complaints and work in the evenings.
While brain scans cannot be used to diagnose bipolar disorder, they can show grey matter and amygdala activity. This information can help doctors understand how bipolar disorder affects the brain and how brain activity in those with bipolar disorder compares to those of others with a different mental health condition.
Eating disorders may occur more frequently in bipolar disorder because of the symptoms of depression, mania, and hypomania — all of which can affect your appetite and eating habits. Depression, for example, can lead to either increased or decreased appetite.