Guest guest Posted November 3, 2003 Report Share Posted November 3, 2003 What is Manic Depression? http://www.mentalhealthproject.com/azmanicdep.asp Manic Depression is a condition in which people swing between marked depression on the one hand and mania or hypomania on the other. Manic depressives who have mild symptoms, in that they do not have a complete breakdown that leaves them incapable of coping outside hospital or other supported living, can still be severely affected by the illness, but the most severe form of manic depression carries the risk of breakdown which can often lead to loss of job or home. A number of manic depressives also show signs of schizophrenia and some psychiatrists speculate that the two diagnoses are variants of the same disease. Most people with manic depression spend the majority of their time either in a normal mood or mildly depressed. Some do remain mildly high all the time which makes assessing their mood very difficult. What causes Manic Depression? Many mood swings are caused by imbalances in blood sugar levels or by food allergies. The most important nutrient for the brain is glucose- the fuel it runs on and in order for our brains to work effectively we need a steady supply of glucose. Any imbalance in the supply of glucose to the brain results in a range of symptoms including fatigue, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, excessive sweating (especially at night), poor concentration and forgetfulness, excessive thirst, depression and crying spells, digestive disturbances and blurred vision. People with elevated blood sugar levels may become high, whereas low blood sugar is associated with depression We predominantly produce glucose by breaking down carbohydrate foods and in order to ensure that our brain gets a steady supply of glucose it is important to avoid sugar and sugar containing foods as these cause a sudden surge in blood sugar level and surge in energy followed by a drop as the body attempts to rebalance .Blood sugar balance is also disrupted by too much stress and stimulants, including cigarettes. According to the nutritional pioneer Dr.Carl Pfeiffer,daily or weekly swings in mood may also be triggered by stress or regular consumption of meals containing ingredients that prompt an allergic reaction. Allergies can also be triggered by seasonal changes. Inhalant allergies are common in the spring with trees and grass pollen and in the autumn with weed pollens. What you can do to improve the symptoms of Manic Depression Take fish oil supplements providing between 1.5 and 4g EPA Omega 3 fish oils can be extremely helpful for those suffering from Manic Depression. In double blind trials manic depressives taking the omega 3 fats had a substantially longer period in remission than the placebo group and the fish oil group performed better than the placebo group for nearly every other symptom measured Increase your Magnesium intake by eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds and consider supplementing 400- 800mg a day in divided doses, also found in good multivitamin / mineral formulas Before the Second World War, magnesium was commonly used to stabilise mood. Since the introduction of Lithium its use has faded, but interest in it has been increasing rapidly. Since the amount recommended by the National Food Council (RDA) is 300mg and diets provide around 200mg on average, most of us are deficient in it. Symptoms of deficiency include muscle tremors or spasm, muscle weakness, insomnia or nervousness, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, constipation, fits or convulsions, hyperactivity, depression, confusion and lack of appetite Avoid refined Sugar, stimulants (coffee (decaf also)aspartame, msg, and tea), cigarettes and excessive stress Since mood swings can be triggered by blood sugar imbalances, it is best to avoid foods and other stimulants that dramatically influence blood sugar levels For optimal blood sugar levels eat wholefoods such as organic wholegrains, lentils,legumes, dried beans, brazil nuts,almonds seeds, fresh organic fruit and vegetables and combine organic or free range protein foods with complex carbohydrates by eating organic cereals and fruit with nuts and seeds and ensuring you eat starch foods (organic potato, pasta or brown rice) with cold water fish, lentils, beans or tofu Check yourself out for food allergies The most common allergies are wheat, dairy products, oranges, eggs, other grains apart from wheat, corn, yeast containing foods, shellfish, and members of the nightshade family – tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and aubergine. Some people also develop allergies to tea and coffee To test for allergies, remove the suspected foods strictly for two weeks, then reintroduce them in a controlled way, recording your symptoms. This is best done under the guidance of a trained nutritionist which is doubly important if you have ever had a severe reaction to food, such as asthma. Alternatively it is possible to have a blood test using a method known as ELISA which will tell you the foods that you are currently eating that cause an IgG reaction and how severe that reaction is. Ideally it is best to have an IgE ELISA test too. Supplement a good multivitamin and mineral every day, plus 1,000mg of Vitamin C While no specific nutrient has been proven to cause or cure manic depression, there are many that can make a difference. For example many manic depressives are short on Zinc and B6. Niacin (Vitamin B3) is a key nutrient in mental health conditions and low levels of Vitamin C have been linked with behavioural problems. Lithium is one of the most successful drugs in psychiatry, usually prescribed in the range of 300 to 1,200mg a day. Though some suffer from significant side effects, for others it has caused a dramatic improvement in their lives. Become more aware of what triggers your mood swings and how to control your thoughts to improve your stability Therapies that encourage self-observation and help to undo negative behaviour patterns can be most helpful for those with manic depression. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) aims to improve mood and behaviour by investigating and challenging unhelpful thought patterns Further Reading Holford, P.,The Optimum Nutrition Bible, Piatkus, 1997 Dryden, W. and Gordon, J.,Think Your Way to Happiness – How to Help yourself with Cognitive Therapy, Sheldon Press 1990 Hoffer, A., Vitamin B-3, Schizophrenia, Discovery, Recovery and Controversy, Quarry Health Books, 2000 Lawson, V., Inside Out, 2001. This is a good practical self-help guide for people with manic depression, available from the Manic Depresion Fellowship, call 020 7793 2600 Finding Help The Brain Bio Centre The Brain Bio Centre is a London-based treatment centre, set up by the Mental Health Project, putting the optimum nutrition approach into practice for those with mental health problems, including depression, learning difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, dementia and Alzheimer¹s. Click here to find out more Useful Organisations- Manic Depression Fellowship offers services including a self management training programme for people diagnosed with manic depression, a network of support groups for all affected by manic depression and assistance with employment, insurance and debt. Contact the Manic Depression Fellowship at Castle Works, 21 St. George's Road, London SE1 6ES, UK or call 020 7793 2600, fax 020 7793 2639, or e-mail at mdf Depression Alliance is a UK charity offering help to people with depression. It is run by sufferers themselves. The website contains information about the symptoms of depression, treatments for depression and Depression Alliance campaigns and local groups. Contact Depression Alliance at 35 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB. Or call 0207 633 0557 or visit www.depressionalliance.org http://www.mentalhealthproject.com/azmanicdep.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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