How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
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Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#2From the submitted article: "In later Internet research, I found several articles suggesting that—for unknown reasons—bipolar II is one of the most lethal of mental conditions, possibly more lethal than major unipolar depression and even bipolar I, with a suicide rate estimated up to 20%. (One Medscape article, for example: 'bipolar II depression. . . carries the highest suicide risk among all subtypes of major mood disorders.')"
This is some of the most important information in the article. Just before the quoted paragraph, the author notes that it is unusual for people in the hypomanic phase or manic phase of a mood disorder to seek treatment, because most people in that mode state feel great. Treatments vary for mood disorders between those with manic and hypomanic phases and those without, because of course many treatments that elevate mood can cause vulnerable persons to switch into hypomania or even mania from depression.
It's a bit early (over the course of the author's lifetime, and in terms of the number of patients who have tried to apply his advice) to conclude that what he thinks helped him function better would work for a lot of other patients. He sometimes concedes that, in his own words in his article, but seems to end with a flourish and announcement that he has found a general answer. Anyone dealing with this issue would be well advised to do what the author advised in one part of his article and check with an experienced M.D. before figuring that self-treatment will do the whole job.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#3Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this. It is unbelievable how much medicine and nutrition is separated in this country. Nutrition ABSOLUTELY affects you in so many ways. Eating healthy is soooo important, but unfortunately most people prefer to take a drug for any problems they have instead of making the effort to eat healthy.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#4I could never have expected this article was about quitting sugar and coffee. On the other hand i'm not sure if the big change in his life has to do with sugar levels affecting mood or the fact that he took a decision and follow it to the end, strengthening his will in the process.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#5Michael Ellsburg (the author) also just posted this article (http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2011/09/29/8-steps-to-g...) which is somewhat related, and an excellent read.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#6From the submitted article: "In later Internet research, I found several articles suggesting that—for unknown reasons—bipolar II is one of the most lethal of mental conditions, possibly more lethal than major unipolar depression and even bipolar I, with a suicide rate estimated up to 20%. (One Medscape article, for example: 'bipolar II depression. . . carries the highest suicide risk among all subtypes of major mood…
What about the countless people that likely suffer from some form of problem like that described, that will never go see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or any other doctor about the problem because of whatever reason? Or, how about the people that have tried, and found the experience to be less than satisfying? How about the people that simply suffer, maybe cognizant of the fact that they aren't completely normal, but have lost hope? Maybe, for these people, the article will provide some hope. Maybe not, but certainly worth considering.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#7This is a dangerous article. A dangerous, slightly manic article.
Someone close to me is affected with bipolar, which drags me into that universe. People who self-medicate - such as the author - are very common with this disease. There are a million people who claim they've "overcome" it, some through alcohol or street drugs, some through nutrition and lifestyle changes. The danger is that when you're manic, you are your own blind spot - you're in no position to self-assess, you think things are great when they clearly aren't.
It's been three years since the end of his "challenge", and from the sound of it, three lovely years. Meeting a new love, getting married, positive things. How will the unmedicated author react when, say, a parent dies? Or the marriage ends?
There's nothing wrong with trying to understand the disease, its effects on your body, and the effects of alternative therapies - I commend the author for that. However, the claim that he's "overcome" bipolar this way is reckless and frankly dangerous. There are countless bipolar patients out there who struggle every day with their medications; the costs, the terrible side effects, and who fight a battle of willpower to stay on them despite feeling "cured". One article like this, one claim to the opposite, is all it takes to break them.
I'd love for this article to be true. I'd love it if my friend didn't have to spend thousands on medications that are slowly killing her, but somehow I doubt this is the answer.
Edit: What great feedback! It's interesting hearing people's different experiences with various forms of treatment. I think the lifestyle changes the author recommends are sane and sensible, helpful changes. They just aren't a "cure". You manage these diseases and you must be very careful when tweaking that management.
I highly recommend that anyone who's involved with - or interested in - a mood disorder read An Unquiet Mind, by Kay Redfield Jamison. It gives you an excellent understanding of the subtleties and trickery this cunning disease exhibits.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#8my favorite part:
'Based on what I told him, Dr. Hoffman ran a number of alternative diagnostic tests on me: glucose tolerance (which tests fluctuation of blood sugar levels in response to sugar intake), food and chemical sensitivities, vitamin and fatty-acid levels, and heavy metals toxicity.
The most relevant test appeared to be the glucose tolerance test. If I recall correctly, I appeared to be highly sensitive to sugar: after eating sugar, my blood sugar spiked higher, and then crashed lower, than most people’s.
Dr. Hoffman told me there is mounting clinical evidence linking moodswings to blood sugar issues, and that in his experience bipolar patients respond well to cutting out refined sugar, and coffee and alcohol (which affect blood sugar) from their diets. “You should stop eating refined sugar altogether, and stop drinking alcohol and coffee,” he told me.'
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#9This is a dangerous article. A dangerous, slightly manic article. Someone close to me is affected with bipolar, which drags me into that universe. People who self-medicate - such as the author - are very common with this disease. There are a million people who claim they've "overcome" it, some through alcohol or street drugs, some through nutrition and lifestyle changes. The danger is that when you're manic, you are…
On the contrary, as someone with my own firsthand experience, I think positive, empowering, live-affirming articles are needed alongside the concerned frowns and furrowed brows of often-helpless friends, family, and psychiatrists.
A brilliant, introspective mind given hope that they have some power within themselves to help their condition will discover that diet, regulation of sleep and social contact, healthy life structure and goals, sources of self-esteem, etc. are a big part of dealing with a mood disorder long-term. It is certainly possible to achieve change that lasts, with or without medication, though medication is a powerful and useful tool.
Re: How I Overcame Bipolar II (and Saved My Own Life)
#10This is a dangerous article. A dangerous, slightly manic article. Someone close to me is affected with bipolar, which drags me into that universe. People who self-medicate - such as the author - are very common with this disease. There are a million people who claim they've "overcome" it, some through alcohol or street drugs, some through nutrition and lifestyle changes. The danger is that when you're manic, you are…
On the contrary, as someone with my own firsthand experience, I think positive, empowering, live-affirming articles are needed alongside the concerned frowns and furrowed brows of often-helpless friends, family, and psychiatrists. A brilliant, introspective mind given hope that they have some power within themselves to help their condition will discover that diet, regulation of sleep and social contact, healthy life…
My intent was never to discount the importance of hope and positivity, nor the value of lifestyle changes such as the author's. I am intimately close with the affected person in my life; the disease (and its treatment) has a way of consuming her life, it's supporting to hear a positive tale.
It's semantics to me - the term "overcame", the tone of the article. I get the feeling that the author believes he's permanently rid himself of the disease, and that he's suggesting others can do the same (through whatever method). The disease is with you for life, you manage it. The author never makes that clear, and I hope (for his sake) he realizes that.