Bipolar Disorder/bipolar disease

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Expert: - 12/28/2005


Question
is bipolar a progressive disease? i.e. as one ages does the disease get worse or intensify? or, over time do the highs and lows get higher and/or lower? my wife has just been diagnosed officially w/i last 6 mnths. she's been on and off several medications already--it seems though that her extremes are quickly becoming more extreme. she is 43yrs young. thank you.  

Answer
Fear larry,

Bipolar disease is not known to be progressive, but symptoms can become worse or better over time. It is important to remain in contacts with your doctor. Some of the side effects of medication cab brew reduced by nutritional means.
Please read:

Werbach,M.R.(1991), NUTRITIONAL INFLUENCES ON MENTAL ILLNESS, A Sourcebook of Clinical Research, Third Line Pres, Inc.Tarzana. Cal.

and look up the chapter on Bipolar disease.

Bipolar people also benefit from going on a hypoglycemic diet. This low sugar diet will reduce stress hormones, unstable blood sugar levels and insulin levels and educe mood swings.

See:

“The Hypoglycemic Diet” at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/hypoglycemic_diet.html

I have also an article called:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/news/hyponl2001_06.pdf

and go to page 7 of the Newsletter.

Some of the information there also applies to Bipolar people. Pay particular attention to the use of Lecithin (Phosphatidyl choline). It can clam down a person in the manic phase, but it should not be used in the depressive phase.

Whatever you do, discuss it with your doctor because he may reduce medication whilst on nutritional therapy.

Jurriaan Plesman, BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
For more articles see
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Bipolar Disorder

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Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist

Expertise

Have worked as a psychotherapist for overv twenty years, dealing with many personality disorders

Experience

I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”. I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems. Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Organizations
Editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia. Its web site is at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Publications
Author of the book "Getting off the Hook", It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. Various articles in the Hypoglycemic Health Association's Newsletters

Education/Credentials
BA (Psych) (University of Sydney), Post Gad Dip Clin Nutr (International Academy of Nutrition)

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