Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 4/24/2011

Question
Hi Dr Plesman

Can you give me some advice concerning my girlfriend, she is sober and still goes to AA.  

We go to twelve step groups together and have known each other for ten years through the groups.

She used to be a nun in third world countries in her late 20's.  But ten years ago she suffered mental health problems, and homelessness and was sleeping in phone boxes.  She was arrested in our support group for assault due to her aggressive behaviour.  

Then I think she went on medication and she has improved.  She's talks of spiritual interests and attends retreats e.g. buddhists etc. She is not as aggressive, but still has mania and irrational thinking.  

But she is escentric, my sponsor who knows a bit about mental health and has know of her for ten years, and he said she is manic.

Her mother died and left her a lot of money.  She has always been on a pension all of her life.

She doesn't have good relationships with her extended family, and we have been like a family to her over the years.

She told me her new friends asked her for $65,000 for them to fix up their home.  She was going to give it to them, but had second thoughts.

My friend is still living in housing commission unit. She knows she needs to buy a unit with her money.

I told her other people in recovery have the public trustee to handle their affairs.  And not to tell anyone she has money because they will want some of it.

She has this idea she wants to start a wellness centre in India. She has just returned from India, and is thinking of going again soon for a festival.

I know from my experience what its like to receive a lot of money without sound financial advice and years later have nothing left.

I'm worried for her, that she will spend all her money.

Laura

Answer
Hi Laura,

First of all, I am not a Doctor but a nutritional psychotherapist.

You are quite right to be concerned about your friend. Being emtionally not in charge of the self, leaves one open to "manipulation" (see our INDEX) by other people, especially by those who themselves are emotionally not well-balanced.

For her to be well and to make rational and wise decisions, she need to study the connection between nutrition and mental health. For instance it is well-known that Bipolar People  - if she is Bipolar at all -  greatly benefit from being on a hypoglycemic diet.

I suggest that you read articles at our web site and then consult a Nutritional Doctor to get the proper treatment.

Please read:

Depression is a Nutritional Disorder at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/depression_disorder.html
Depression: a Disease of Energy Production at:
http://curezone.com/upload/PDF/Articles/jurplesman/depression_energy32.pdf
Conquering Anxiety, Depression and Fatigue Without Drugs - the Role of Hypoglycemia by Prof. Joel H. Levitt
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/hypoglycemia.htm
Silent Diseases and Mood Disorders at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/silentdiseases.html

and ask for a referral to a Nutritional Doctor, Clinical Nutritionist or a Nutritional Psychotherapist, if self-help therapy fails.
Going on Hypoglycemic diet (look up at our web site) is the first step in treatment. Please search our web site for more information at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Look up our links to alternative doctors and health care workers.
_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist.
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman