Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder

by Stephanie Marohn

It used to be called manic depression. Wide swings in mood, from elation to the doldrums. Days or months of expansiveness, irritability, increased activity, grandiosity, inflated self-esteem, followed by troughs of sadness, flatness, pessimism, guilt, concentration problems, and weight gain. An estimated 2.3 million U.S. adults suffer this, as well as another million children and adolescents under age 18. Conventional medicine offers prescription drugs but no lasting improvement or cure. Natural medicine can do much better than that. The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder , an innovative and inspiring book on natural medicine treatments for a healthy mind, is about healing bipolar, not merely enduring it. Within these pages, medical journalist Stephanie Marohn explores the key contributing factors and triggers for mood disorder and profiles a range of effective, nondrug-based approaches that can truly restore health. Among the successful healing techniques used by eight natural medicine experts are biological medicine, applied psychoneurobiology, biochemical therapy, nutritional therapy, cranial osteopathy, allergy elimination, homeopathy, and shamanic healing. Treating the underlying imbalances, rather than suppressing the outer symptoms (as most drugs do), leads to lasting recovery. And only by considering the well-being of the mind and spirit as well as the body can comprehensive healing take place.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely useful compilation of alternative approaches. Especially if you've struggled with one or more and wish to try something different. I only need to see how many of these are available here in Bulgaria.

Personal highlights:

https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...

[*elasticfate · Rating 4 out of 5]

some of it i found a little too alternative, but the rest of it really helped me move closer to what i came out to sf to do in terms of my health, so it was a really nice introduction to alternative things that interest me and get away from the ridiculous prescription drug methods my doctors in nyc all seemed to foolishly support, that ended up fucking up my life for a few years. this book helped me get off those damaging chemicals and actually do real healing work to change. in nyc, i had a hard time connecting with people who really had the knowledge to heal, they only knew how to mask symptoms. there is soooo much more to mental health.

[Corvus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not go into this book believing it is a "guide," as the title says, and you will be more likely to enjoy it. It is a book about a few alternative therapies for people labeled bipolar. It focuses on one doctor per chapter and some of their case studies. There is not a "guide" or "how to" and it basically urges you to seek out treatments that are inaccessible to many people due to cost, location, etc. There is not much research in it and it completely leaves out herbalism which I found extremely odd as it was one of the main reasons I read the book. As others have said, the section on Amino Acids is probably the best. It is very "woo woo" and involves a lot of spiritual methods. I did not get as much as I expected to out of it, but there were interesting parts, and others may benefit from it.

[Emily H. Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another self help book, a blessing in disguise!!, July 24, 2014
By Emily H. Sturgill "Emily Sturgill" (Detroit, Mi)
(REAL NAME)
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder: New Revised Edition (Kindle Edition)
It only took me 2 1/2 days to read this book. I only read that fast when I am completely and totally absorbed in something. Each chapter was like a new gift to unwrap from the author. But by far the most interesting was her chapter on Shamanism and Shamanistic views on Mental Illness. As a patient with bipolar for over 20 years this book gave me some new found treatment approaches that may work in combination with traditional approaches, which has thus far really left room for improvement.
It was a quick and very informative read. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to re-reading many of the chapter for future clarification. Unfortunately, this book fills a huge void in the reign of books available for treating bipolar disorder.Most of the ones available all stick to pharmacy psychotropic drug therapies and little in the room of "self-help." This book is different because it provides a wide range of alternative options that people can learn more about and approach their doctors more informed then previously before reading this book. It is a gem.I really appreciate all the authors research and efforts to understand alternative approaches.

[Christopher Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I finished this one weeks ago, so the initial buzz has subsided, but I am enamored with this book. As someone who has struggled through my diagnosis and subsequent pharmaceutical treatments, this book was a breath of fresh air! I would never have guessed that three of the eight physicians profiled would be based in my home state of Washington. I would never have believed that there was a shamanic, spiritual perspective on bipolar disorder that makes such sense, and I would never have predicted that I would be on my way to try out some cranio-sacral therapy as soon as I can get an appointment. There's great hope in this book, for all of us. I only give you this recommendation if you or someone you love suffers from the disorder, however, it is not much of a narrative-- more of a point by point description of all things health and bipolar!

[Alexis Pullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some interesting information on aspects of treatment that are hard to come by. I particularly like the sections on amino acids and other deficiencies. And I can appreciate that addressed spirituality, but it went a little off the rails with the shamanic healing traditions for me. Also, I recognized numerous over-generalizations about things that I'm sure are not entirely supported by science, and I'm wary of that for sure. I closely read the section on gluten for example, as I know a lot about this, and it was really over simplified and not entirely accurate. An interesting read, with some leads for treatment, but not a tome to be followed by any means.

[Ian Reynir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really ejoyed reading this book. It motivated me to try the vitamin/supplement approach again, and it worked. This time I tried a different (cheaper) doctor who really knows what he's doing. My stability improved so much that I was finally able to slowly transition off of medications.

I also really enoyed the chapter that includes the shamanic view of bipolar disorder. There really should be more respect in our culture when it comes to this disorder. Very nice to read that part.

[Marin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gave a interesting look into alternative medicines and practices to help relieve symptoms of bipolar. I believe that all things within this book can help and will help each individual with bipolar or depression. I learn a lot from it and recommend it to everyone with this disease.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5

Review to come.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly helpful book in how to manage bipolar. I've started implementing the recommended supplements and felt better almost immediately. I was able to start withdrawing from my medication as well. Excellent book and a must-read for all people with bipolar.

[Ondyena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent! I am mind blown

I did not expect such a deep, thorough dive into the physical, emotional, mental, & spiritual healing of mental issues! And with such deep cures such as family systems, shamanism, etc! This book is fantastic!!!

[sarah mcGonagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

mixed bag. excellent sections on amino acids and comprehensive healing models but also… frog medicine and holy basil will not heal your neurodegenerative brain disorder <3

(the dedication to virginia woolf did make me snort)

[Lisa]

Had a hard time getting into this and after finding a couple of inaccuracies fairly early on I decided to give it up.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are alternatives to meds and ECT, even cures!

[Angela Pippinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://thepaganmomblog.com/reviews/th...

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't read all of it but I liked how it had sections for various naturopathic remedies and anecdotes showing how they worked to mitigate the symptoms of this destabilizing disease.

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pseudoscience.