Sarah EatonManic depression, not to be confused with depression, is also known as bipolar disorder. It’s marked by extreme highs and lows in energy, activity levels, sleep patterns, and manic behavior. About 2.6 percents of adult Americans are manic depressive, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (1).
There is no cure for manic depression. However, there are several options for manic depression treatment.
Some manic depression treatment includes medications (2). However, there are also a number of natural treatments available. And unlike medication, these methods of manic depression natural treatment have no negative side effects.
Here are 6 options for manic depression natural treatment:
1. Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy can offer a better understanding of what triggers extreme mood swings. It teaches attentiveness to symptoms before they become more severe.
Researchers in a study compared people in two groups (3). These groups were those undergoing collaborative care therapy versus CBT. After nine months, this is what they found: those practicing CBT had fewer relapses and lower hospitalization rates. Furthermore, they were better equipped to stick with their treatment plans even one year following therapy.
2. Exercise
Exercise is a great manic depressive treatment, according to a a 2016 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders (4).
Researchers found that exercise was associated with overall improved health. This included depressive symptoms and quality of life.
Try getting outdoors for a walk or jog. Or you might consider taking up a sport. Bottom line, be consistent. Make exercise part of your daily routine.
3. Eating a Healthy Diet
A fantastic manic depression natural treatment plan includes a healthy diet. To be sure, what you eat can most-assuredly affect your mood!
In fact, some studies have shown that those who eat poor diets are up to 60 percent more likely to suffer from depression (5). This was compared to people who consume a healthier diet.
4. Yoga and Meditation
Meditation can help you recognize an oncoming manic episode. When you’re more mindful, you can better see when you’re getting stuck in thought patterns. Furthermore, mindfulness can help you recognize when external stimuli are starting to bother you.
Too antsy for meditation? Yoga also promotes mindfulness. And it’s a good alternative for those who have a hard time sitting still.
In 2011, researches conducted a study consisting of people with bipolar disorder. The subjects participated in a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program for eight weeks.
The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice, said subjects reported improvements in a variety of areas (6). These areas included executive functioning, memory, and ability to complete tasks. Subjects also experienced improvement in awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
5. Supplements
Try adding certain herbs and supplements to your manic depression treatment plan (7). Doing so can help to improve symptoms and control anxiety.
These supplements and herbs include:
1. Try ginseng, holy basil, ashwanganda, and rhodiola. They help lower cortisol, and improve energy and focus. Additionally, they help balance hormones.
2. St. John’s wort is a natural antidepressant. It also may aid in getting a good night’s sleep.
3. Try essential oils such as lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang, and chamomile. They may help manage stress and promote relaxation.
6. Reducing Stress
Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routine. However, instead doing them just once or twice, make them a habit. This will help you better manage manic depression symptoms (8). Even if it’s just a five-minute activity, it’s the habit of it that is key. Cut time out of every day for a stress-reducing activity.
For example, try keeping a journal to help track symptoms. You might also try planning fun activities. Giving yourself something to look forward to is a great way to manage stress!