Bipolar disorder or manic depressive illness is a mental disorder. This disease is related to unusual shifts in mood, energy and ability to perform everyday work. People suffering from this disorder may have distinctive mood swings varying from depression to mania. It is a serious disease and patient may experience suicidal tendencies. It can be treated with different medication and therapy.
Apart from medication, you can make some changes in your diet to prevent mania, mood swings, depression and anxiousness. It is observed that dietary changes have detrimental effects on brain chemistry. Below you will find certain food that will help you to relieve stress and improve effectiveness of your medicines.
Berries:
Cortisol is a stress hormone that induces stress response and also increases heart beat and blood pressure. Different types of berries, namely blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, are enriched with vitamin C and certain natural antioxidants. Vitamin C rich food regulates and prevents increase in concentration of cortisol levels.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Omega-3 fatty acids are useful in reducing inflammation and anxiety. Fish, walnuts, pumpkins seeds or soybeans are great sources of these fats.
Dark Chocolate:
Dark chocolate is useful in lowering the levels of cortisol hormone and neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and epinephrine that makes you feel anxious and nervous. The bittersweet taste of dark chocolate stimulates brain to produce some “pleasure” chemicals such as opioids which make you feel comfortable.
Dairy products:
Dairy products are enriched with Vitamin B, riboflavin. Riboflavin is essential to relax your nerves and maintain protein synthesis. Lower levels of vitamin B trigger your stress response and alter the way your body secretes and transports protein.
Herbal Tea:
You can find a large number of calming teas in the market including chamomile and green tea. Chamomile tea is useful for anxiety, insomnia and also for upset stomach. You can add milk to chamomile tea to enhance its calming effects.
Whole Grains:
It is said that whole grains are good for heart and can enhance calming effect on your mind. These chemicals enhance the production of serotonin in the body and help to lower down anxiety. You can include brown rice, whole grain pasta and wheat bread to your daily diet.
Apart from these dietary changes, it is always beneficial to use some medication to have a better control on your symptoms. Abilify, Cymbalta, Geodon and Seroquel are some of the popular medicines useful for the treatment of bipolar disorder.