Hopeful Horizon for Bipolar Treatment

by R.C.
(WI, USA)

Those of us living with Bipolar Disorder, a mental illness formerly labeled as Manic Depression, may now have cause for new hope, regarding a more natural answer to our symptoms.

New research-based evidence suggests a possibly more safe approach to symptom relief, when used in correlation with medications and other remedies currently used for symptom relief. Heredity and environmental factors are believed to cause the disorder, although the exact combination or responsible genes have yet to be isolated. This illness is characterized by alternating periods of mania; extreme high energy, followed by deep depression. There are two different kinds of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2, which are both considered a serious and persistent mental illness, each creating a variety of side effects/symptoms.

Bipolar One is recognized after the occurrence of one manic episode, and can further include the presence of an extreme depressive episode. The manic phase generally presents itself through the following symptoms: sleeplessness, talking excessively, racing thoughts and obvious elevation of self esteem/confidence, development of large, unrealistic ideas and sometimes bizarre or inappropriate behavior. During the depressive phase, symptoms can even lead to contemplation of suicide. The presence of psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or paranoia, points to Bipolar I Disorder, while the presence of these symptoms rules out Bipolar 2. With proper psychiatric treatment, some symptoms may subside, but usually recur every so often. When the symptoms return, the affected individual may attempt the use of repetitive self-learned behaviors, in order to cope with, or possibly overcome the symptom. These behaviors can vary and should be shared with the individual's doctor. Many, for example, use prayer, pacing, eating and other repetitive, compulsive actions to cope with their feelings, hoping to alleviate their symptoms/feelings.

Bipolar 2 is noted after the occurrence of at least one hypomanic episode and one extreme depression episode. A person with Bipolar 2 experiences hypomanic episodes, rather than manic episodes. A hypomanic episode usually gives one great motivation to excel and can actually feel very positive, lasting for days. There is a difference between mania and hypomania, based on severity. Hypomania usually will not impair a person's daily functioning or cause them to be hospitalized. Throughout history, there have been many people who suffer from hypomania and have become great overachievers, during these episodes. This includes people from all walks of life, including scientists, actors and even people in jobs that require extreme intelligence. The symptoms of Bipolar 2 are mainly the hypomanic episodes alternating with depression, while not generally leading to psychotic tendencies. When treated, medication may help keep one on a more even keel, but possibly still enter into these hypomanic stages. These behaviors can vary in individuals and the illness may co-exist with others, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and anxiety disorders.

Drugs used to treat both forms of Bipolar include Lithium, Depakote, and Lamictal (mood stabilizers or anti-convulsants). Researchers have found that certain medications may leave toxins in the brain. This eventually has led to studies geared toward more natural treatments.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil, including EPA (Eicosapentaenoic) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic) have been researched, tested and proven to help bipolar depressions, as well as the more common “depression”, itself. Omega-3 gives the brain oxygen, rather than toxins, and may one day turn out being a possible remedy/medication enhancer for many forms of depression, including Bipolar 1 and 2. One such research study (a 1999 Harvard pilot study), experimented using 30 people with bipolar disorder. None of these people were aware of which supplement they were given (a “double-blind” study). The subjects took either fish oil capsules or a placebo (olive oil) for 4 months, along with their regular, prescribed medications. The fish oil group turned out having longer symptom-free time than the others, who were taking the placebo. The researchers used five different ways to evaluate symptoms; levels of depression, mania, and improvement. The subjects taking fish oil were emotionally more stable than those taking the placebo, on all but one of these tests.

The same researchers who conducted the fish oil study have also tried flaxseed oil for bipolar disorder. Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), an Omega-3 fatty acid, related to the fatty acids in fish oil. The researchers' results, after testing 22 people with bipolar disorder, showed all but four gaining stability from flaxseed oil. The flaxseed study was not, however, a double-blind one.

Another statistical study has more recently shown fish-eating countries to have lower bipolar rates than those where fish is not common in the diet. A further research study explored whether patients with bipolar disorder had lower Omega-3 levels than people without the disorder. They did find lower DHA (a major human brain tissue component) but not EPA (controls blood clotting and other arterial functions) levels in the bipolar subjects’ blood cell walls. Therefore, it is promising that fish oil and related substances (in particular, ethyl-EPA; a pure form of EPA which does not contain any other essential fatty acids) may be a positive addition to medication, where Bipolar Disorder is concerned.

Bipolar Disorders can have a large effect on one’s life, but there is available support for people dealing with it; education, therapy, medication and emotional support from understanding loved ones. A cure has not yet been found, but thankfully, research scientists are attempting to find a naturally more effective treatment approach.