Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 4/14/2007

Question
I’m defiantly in need of some help! I’m not looking for a diagnosis, but just an educated opinion. My husband joined the NAVY last year and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder and therefore was medically discharged.
  When he returned he was placed on some depression medications by a nurse practitioner which worked for awhile. Then he developed extreme depression (thoughts of suicide, never wanted to leave the house, just wanted to lay in bed all day, constantly thought everything was his fault) and became very irritable and angry. Often times if I would just look at him wrong he would lash out in a fit of rage – calling me names, being very violent and abusive. I would often fear for my life, as I didn’t know how far he was going to go. During his times of rage the things he would say didn’t make sense, his eyes were glazed over, and you could obviously tell he really didn’t know what he was doing or saying. A few hours later when he cooled off, I would come back and he would have no idea what happened, what he did/said and would be very remorseful of his actions although he didn’t recall them. This still goes on today and has now been unaccompanied by severe panic attacks were he breathes heavily, sweats, shakes, and sometimes passes out.
  I have done some research on my own and have read that Bipolar Disorder can cause his depression and may be associated with the panic attacks, but I am concerned that his anger problem may be associated with a different cause. I have read that Bipolar Disorder can cause some anger and such, but can it cause it to be so extreme? He also never has the feelings of euphoria or elevated happiness that I see discussed with bipolar?? I have read some on IED and am concerned this may be the culprit of his anger – is this possible or would you suggest it’s just the bipolar?


Answer
Hello Brittany,

This must be a very difficult situation for you. Unfortunately as I have not met your husband it is difficult to give any specific advice. He needs to see his psychiatrist to discuss his problems. As a Nutritional Psychologist I know that some Bipolar people respond very well to a hypoglycemic diet, as many Bipolar people have been found to be hypoglycemic according to medical tests.

The test is describe at our web site as:

Medical Test for Hypoglycemia at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/testing_hypoglycemia.html

Also read:

What is Hypoglycemia? at
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/what_is_hypo.html

The Serotonin Connection at
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/serotonin_connection.html

Anger Management: Nutrition and Psychotherapy at:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/clinutrition/messages?msg=180.1

A good book to consult is

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

and look up the chapter on Bipolar Disorder to be discussed withy your doctor.

I hope I have been of some assistance.

_________________________________
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
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