Little Known Side Effects Of Prescription Meds For Manic 
Depression

Every year thousands of Americans are diagnosed with bipolar 
disorder.  While historically doctors have relied on prescription 
medications to treat this disease, there are a host of unpleasant 
side effects often associated with prescription drug therapy.

Some of the more common side effects of many manic medications 
may include: sedation, lethargy, weight gain, nausea and even 
anxiety.  There are also many very serious side effects that can 
occur with long term or even short-term use of many bipolar 
medications, including common mood stabilizers like Lithium and 
Carbamazapine.  

Some of the more serious side effects may include liver 
inflammation, heart problems, bone marrow suppression, tremor and 
memory difficulties.  Many drugs prescribed in conjunction with 
mood stabilizers including anti-depressant therapy also carry 
with them tremendous risks.  

Certain types of antipsychotics are often prescribed in 
combination with mood stabilizers to help manage mood swings in 
patients with manic depression.  Antipsychotics typically carry 
with them the risk of a permanent disorder, tardive dyskinesia.  

This condition results in involuntary muscle spasms and tremors 
that can occur throughout the body.  In many cases it is 
irreversible. Other side effects of commonly prescribed 
antipsychotic medications include sedation and weight gain. 


Natural Approaches To Healing Bipolar Disorder

Many patients with manic depression are trained to believe that 
they simply can't live life without prescription medication. 
Unfortunately many prescription medications are also addicting, 
requiring increasing amounts as time goes on and causing severe 
withdrawal symptoms, often more difficult than the symptoms they 
are supposed to treat, if a person wants to stop prescription 
drug therapy.

It is important as a patient however you realize there are a 
number of natural interventions that, when used effectively, may 
help mitigate mood swings and improve your chances of coping 
bipolar disorder with little or no prescription drug therapy.

Some of the more common approaches to treating bipolar disorder 
naturally include:

1. Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation - Many people experience 
   vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  When significant 
   deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to 
   anxiety, panic attacks and depression.  Helping alleviate 
   these symptoms may be as simple as taking the right 
   combination of quality vitamins and minerals.  Even if 
   you eat a wholesome diet, there is a strong chance your 
   body isn't readily absorbing all of the vitamins and 
   minerals you need from your diet alone.  This can lead 
   to deficiencies and resulting mood changes.

2. Omega 3 Supplementation - Many people particularly those 
   living in the West are deficient in Omega-3 essential fatty 
   acids.  Deficiencies of Omega-3 dramatically increase your 
   risk of mood problems including severe depression.  
   Supplementation with a high quality fatty acid often helps 
   alleviate many of the symptoms of depression, and is safe 
   and side effect free.

3. Applied Kinesiology - Applied Kinesiology is a natural 
   approach to healing the mind, body and spirit.  Using 
   muscle testing qualified health care practitioners can 
   diagnose chemical imbalances in the body, nutritional 
   deficiencies and allergies.  All of these may contribute 
   to mood swings.  AK therapy is a natural and safe way for 
   not only diagnosing weaknesses in the body but also 
   providing natural and effective therapies or interventions 
   geared toward promoting your mental health and well-being. 


Treating Manic Depression On A Case By Case Basis

Bipolar disorder is not a one size fits all disease.  Whether 
taking prescription medications to treat your disease or 
utilizing holistic approaches, patients often find what works for 
one person may not work for another.  Because of this it is vital 
that each patient work individually with his or her health care 
provider to decide the best course of action for treating your 
condition.

For those interested in addressing their symptoms with natural 
approaches, recent research has supported use of various 
nutrients for treating symptoms of mood disorders. Recent work 
suggests that more often than not psychiatric symptoms result 
from various nutritional deficiencies, chemical imbalances and 
even allergic reactions to various foods and environmental 
toxins.

It is vital if you want to adopt a natural approach to healing 
that you avoid abruptly withdrawing from any prescription 
medication you are currently taking.  Most prescription drug 
treatments for bipolar disorder come with severe side effects if 
withdrawn suddenly.  

You will have to work one on one with your doctor to develop a 
plan of action for slowly withdrawing from medications.  The 
length of time this will take depends on multiple factors 
including how long you have taken prescription drug therapy and 
the severity of your symptoms.

Many patients find that they can use natural treatments in 
combination with drug therapy to reduce the number and dose of 
medications needed to keep them feeling stable and happy. This is 
a wonderful alternative for individuals interested in gradually 
reducing the side effects associated with using multiple 
prescription medications to treat their disease. 

If you or someone you know suffers from manic depression, 
recognizes that there is hope.  There are many effective natural 
and safe treatment choices available that will allow patients 
with bipolar disorder to live a life that is carefree, happy and 
rewarding. 

 

Anne Arthur is a freelance writer based in Denver, CO.  
Her experience includes 10+ years working with natural and 
traditional medical providers.  Find out more about treating 
bipolar disorder successfully without using prescription 
drugs by visiting http://www.bipolarwithoutmeds.com/