Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group

This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.

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diet

bugabugsmom
bugabugsmom
My daughter is on a load of meds. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried diets or even natural meds to help with them. I understabd she may need some of her meds to help but she is on 4 meds, depokate,zoloft.abilify.clonindine.. sometimes I worry that maybe part of the problem. but I worry about making things worse by not having her on it.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
Experience on the BP board is that while some suppliments can help, you really need to take the meds as the primary treatment.

Some natural meds can make BP worse, e.g St John's Wort.

Clonidine as far as I can tell is an ADHD med.

You may be right that if some of the meds don't agree with her then while they may stop episodes, her "normal" state might be affected. Abilify in particular has a number of issues associated.

My advice would be rather than add suppliments or natural meds that you get a second opinion on the meds she is taking.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Not entirely on point but my boyfriend takes clonidine for high blood pressure and it does double-duty for his anxiety.

Definitely work with her doc before adding or taking anything out of the mix, natural supplements or otherwise.
DivineSilence
DivineSilence
I follow a completely natural diet. No sugar, no white flour, no preservatives or colors or sweetners, no processed food, no fast food, etc. While I know it is healthier to eat this way it has not done diddly for the Bipolar.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think eating healthy is only sensible. Stick with non-processed foods and stay away from additives. Eat food in the closest to natural form. I have found Omega Oils help, but not in too large quantities. I started bruising from them. My pdoc told me to use them.

I think exercise also helps - does she regularly do something aerobic? It is hard to start, but get her to keep a mood chart, and record what she does, and exercise. She can identify her triggers, and the endorphins are a good natural supplement the body supplies with exercise.
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