Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 1/14/2007

Question

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

However please adv if the shoplifting is connected to the BPD or a borderline personality disorder

In the past I'd take marijuana which eventually made me worse now I hate to admit shoplifting.  I prefer the marijuana at least thats not stealing.  What do you think?

TY

S

-----Question-----


I suffer from BPD and last week had a relapse resulting in intense shopping sprees, and spending large sums of money,  while even helping myself to unpaid for accessories with no reservations at all.  

Needless to say I don't need most of the stuff and most definetely can afford to pay for the items I took, but nonetheless I chose to take them anyway.

I realize I must call my doctor but cannot get myself to do so, however I will be seeing her in a couple of days.  

I guess its this relapse that upsets me from approaching her as I am in
the course of reducing the medication and under the circumstances I am sure she won't be doing so in the upcoming visit.  I am on Lithium since 2002 and Lithium, Lamictal, Effexor, Xanagis since 2004.

Meanwhile my husband who was away, has returned from his business trip and we
discussed the complications of last week which to his opinion is also connected to his being away.  

Despite the aforementioned, I cancelled my meetings of last week with my psychotherapist (I have been seeing her twice a week and more since 2001) as I felt most uncomfortable to admit to her my misgivings re. theft of accessories in parallel with my intense and expensive shopping sprees.  

Subsequent to my husband's return I have managed to get some decent sleep, thereby reflecting on my entire constitution and once again feel  in control, that is to say that the episode has past.  

But, somehow I am hesitant to fix a meeting with my therapist in the usual (secure, familiar) setting.  I (once again) seem to associate the therapy room to what I long ago felt a  "confession-persecution" venue, and suddenly feel sick and tired of the same room and setting which I suddenly relate to as a "prison" and all I lack, are hand-cuffs.  

I would very much like at least one single session to take place in some open place like a park, near the ocean, etc., I have felt this way in the past but have been fine for the past 2 years and yet the feeling of confinement has once again returned.  

Do you believe in changing the venue on a one term basis if the patient could benefit from this especially if we are dealing here with long term therapy?

I personally feel that despite the strict guidelines of therapy some modicfication to  
meet the patient's needs won't hurt,  do you agree?


Hope you have a good week end

Kind regards

S
-----Answer-----
Hello Sarah,

I can quite imagine how you feel. My brother too was Bipolar and had manic stages. Your guilt feelings are because you believe that you should have consciously controlled your manic experience, but alas, this is difficult when you have Bipolar Disorder. the mood swings are mostly uncontrollable except by drugs. Your doctor is not going to judge you, they are professionals to help whatever the circumstances.

There is no doubt that medication is still the best option, however you desire to take yourself off medication may be due to the side effects of Lithium carbonate or any other drug. Most medications have side effects. However luckily enough these can be counteracted by nutritional means. For instance lithium carbonate tends to interfere with the proper absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid. This in itself can cause depression.

A good book is

Werbach MR, Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness at:
http://www.amazon.com/Nutritional-Influences-Mental-Illness-Sourcebook/dp/096185

and go to the chapter on Bipolar Disorder. I would discuss this with your psychiatrist or doctor.

I have also written an article:

“The Nutritional Aspects of Schizophrenia” at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/news/hyponl2001_06.pdf

and go to page 7 of the Newsletter.

It it shows that if you taker lecithin, it will reduce the manic stage. Lecithin contains 12% of phosphatidyl choline which is the forerunner of acetylcholine a calming neurotransmitter. However lecithin should not be take when you are depressed.

Please search our web site for Lecithin.


Another good book on Orthomolecular psychiatry is:

Dr Chris Reading, Trace Your Genes to Health at:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=18

We also have a self-help psychotherapy course that will help you to have a better self-image. You could discuss this with your psychotherapist.

It is found at:

Self-help PSYCHOTHERAPY course at
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/i-psychotherapy.html

_________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor: HYPOGLYCEMIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA at
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author: “Getting off the Hook” at
Google Book Search

Answer
Hi sarah,

As a retired Probation and Parole officer I am quite familiar with your situation. People with Bipolar Disorder or depression are at risk of these offences.

If you want to gain control over this impulsive behaviour you need to deal with the underlining biological aspects.

Thus this will need the expertise of doctors who understand the biochemical mechanism underlining these behaviours.

This is very difficult to do over the internet.

I suggest that you ask your doctor to refer you to a Nutritional Doctor for additional treatment and advice.

_________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor: HYPOGLYCEMIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA at
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author: “Getting off the Hook” at
Google Book Search