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%Start  9 Natural Therapies for Bipolar Depression Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Bipolar Disorder <h1>9 Natural Therapies for Bipolar Depression</h1> When combined with prescribed medication, these alternative approaches may help you better manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder. By Sara CalabroMedically Reviewed by Meeta Shah, MDReviewed: January 15, 2016Medically ReviewedSt. John&#x27;s wort, meditation, light therapy, and fish oil supplements may help relieve some bipolar depression symptoms.Photo credits: iStock.com; Shutterstock; Getty Images; iStock.comBipolar disorder requires managing two distinct categories of symptoms.
Ryan Garcia Member
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%Start  9 Natural Therapies for Bipolar Depression Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Bipolar Disorder

9 Natural Therapies for Bipolar Depression

When combined with prescribed medication, these alternative approaches may help you better manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder. By Sara CalabroMedically Reviewed by Meeta Shah, MDReviewed: January 15, 2016Medically ReviewedSt. John's wort, meditation, light therapy, and fish oil supplements may help relieve some bipolar depression symptoms.Photo credits: iStock.com; Shutterstock; Getty Images; iStock.comBipolar disorder requires managing two distinct categories of symptoms.
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Sebastian Silva 1 minutes ago
Manic symptoms may include impulsive behavior, excessive irritability, and anxiety, while depressive...
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Manic symptoms may include impulsive behavior, excessive irritability, and anxiety, while depressive symptoms may include a low mood, poor appetite, and emotional indifference, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Though there aren&#x27;t many complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) remedies for manic behavior, a few non-prescription therapies may help alleviate depression. Most people who have bipolar disorder spend the majority of their time depressed rather than manic, notes the National Institutes of Health.
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Manic symptoms may include impulsive behavior, excessive irritability, and anxiety, while depressive symptoms may include a low mood, poor appetite, and emotional indifference, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Though there aren't many complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) remedies for manic behavior, a few non-prescription therapies may help alleviate depression. Most people who have bipolar disorder spend the majority of their time depressed rather than manic, notes the National Institutes of Health.
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Emma Wilson 4 minutes ago
But just because CAM therapies exist doesn't mean that people with bipolar disorder should thro...
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Ella Rodriguez 2 minutes ago
"If you need an antidepressant, you should take it. These other types of therapies are addition...
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But just because CAM therapies exist doesn&#x27;t mean that people with bipolar disorder should throw away their antidepressants. &quot;Bipolar is a very serious, lifelong disorder,&quot; says Philip Muskin, MD, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Dylan Patel Member
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But just because CAM therapies exist doesn't mean that people with bipolar disorder should throw away their antidepressants. "Bipolar is a very serious, lifelong disorder," says Philip Muskin, MD, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
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Henry Schmidt 6 minutes ago
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&quot;If you need an antidepressant, you should take it. These other types of therapies are additional or complementary rather than alternative.&quot; The complementary and non-pharmacological treatments that have shown some benefit for the depressive side of bipolar disorder are: <h2>1 Rhodiola</h2> Officially known as rhodiola rosea, this herb has been used for years to help manage stress and has also demonstrated positive effects on people struggling with depression.
Hannah Kim Member
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"If you need an antidepressant, you should take it. These other types of therapies are additional or complementary rather than alternative." The complementary and non-pharmacological treatments that have shown some benefit for the depressive side of bipolar disorder are:

1 Rhodiola

Officially known as rhodiola rosea, this herb has been used for years to help manage stress and has also demonstrated positive effects on people struggling with depression.
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Lily Watson 4 minutes ago
While rhodiola doesn't ease depression to the extent that an antidepressant will, it has fewer ...
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Muskin notes. "I wouldn't use it as a solo therapy, but it is a good adjunct for someone w...
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While rhodiola doesn&#x27;t ease depression to the extent that an antidepressant will, it has fewer side effects, according to a study published in 2015 in Phytomedicine. &quot;Rhodiola is mildly stimulating,&quot; Dr.
Ryan Garcia Member
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While rhodiola doesn't ease depression to the extent that an antidepressant will, it has fewer side effects, according to a study published in 2015 in Phytomedicine. "Rhodiola is mildly stimulating," Dr.
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Muskin notes. &quot;I wouldn&#x27;t use it as a solo therapy, but it is a good adjunct for someone who is on antidepressants and feels like they [still] don&#x27;t have a lot of energy.&quot; <h2>2 SAMe</h2>SAMe, or S-adenosylmethionine, is a coenzyme found naturally in the body that has been extensively researched and shown to reduce symptoms in people with major depressive disorder, according to a review of research published in 2015 in CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets.
Joseph Kim Member
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Muskin notes. "I wouldn't use it as a solo therapy, but it is a good adjunct for someone who is on antidepressants and feels like they [still] don't have a lot of energy."

2 SAMe

SAMe, or S-adenosylmethionine, is a coenzyme found naturally in the body that has been extensively researched and shown to reduce symptoms in people with major depressive disorder, according to a review of research published in 2015 in CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets.
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But SAMe should be used with caution in people with bipolar disorder who are suffering from depressi...
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"Anything that is a real antidepressant can cause mania in bipolar people," Muskin says, &...
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But SAMe should be used with caution in people with bipolar disorder who are suffering from depression because it can actually provoke mania, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). It should be used only under the direct supervision of a physician.
Jack Thompson Member
access_time 28 minutes ago
But SAMe should be used with caution in people with bipolar disorder who are suffering from depression because it can actually provoke mania, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). It should be used only under the direct supervision of a physician.
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"Anything that is a real antidepressant can cause mania in bipolar people," Muskin says, &...
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&quot;Anything that is a real antidepressant can cause mania in bipolar people,&quot; Muskin says, &quot;so there is some risk that a patient taking SAMe might become manic.&quot; Several clinical trials are now underway to determine the best way to use SAMe in people with depression-related disorders as well as bipolar disorder. <h2>3 St John&#x27 s Wort</h2> This herb, which is often used in Europe for mood management, is one of the better-known natural mood enhancers. Even so, evidence is mixed on whether St.
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"Anything that is a real antidepressant can cause mania in bipolar people," Muskin says, "so there is some risk that a patient taking SAMe might become manic." Several clinical trials are now underway to determine the best way to use SAMe in people with depression-related disorders as well as bipolar disorder.

3 St John' s Wort

This herb, which is often used in Europe for mood management, is one of the better-known natural mood enhancers. Even so, evidence is mixed on whether St.
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John&#x27;s wort actually has a positive effect on major depression or bipolar disorder. The NCCIH states that St. John’s wort may help with depression but can also cause psychosis, and the agency warns that it could interact with many other medications people with bipolar disorder may be taking.
Zoe Mueller Member
access_time 45 minutes ago
John's wort actually has a positive effect on major depression or bipolar disorder. The NCCIH states that St. John’s wort may help with depression but can also cause psychosis, and the agency warns that it could interact with many other medications people with bipolar disorder may be taking.
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St John’s wort has been shown to have similar side effects to some antidepressant medications because it appears to affect the body in a similar way, according to 2015 research published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. <h2>4 Meditation</h2> People who meditate using a supervised mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approach may see a reduction in depression that directly correlates to how many days they meditate. The more they meditated, the fewer symptoms they had, according to a study published in 2013 in Behaviour Research and Therapy.
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St John’s wort has been shown to have similar side effects to some antidepressant medications because it appears to affect the body in a similar way, according to 2015 research published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology.

4 Meditation

People who meditate using a supervised mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approach may see a reduction in depression that directly correlates to how many days they meditate. The more they meditated, the fewer symptoms they had, according to a study published in 2013 in Behaviour Research and Therapy.
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Madison Singh 7 minutes ago

5 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

People with bipolar disorder may have extra motivation to start eati...
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Daniel Kumar 17 minutes ago
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<h2>5 Omega-3 Fatty Acids</h2> People with bipolar disorder may have extra motivation to start eating more fish that are heavy in omega-3s, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or they may want to consider taking omega-3 supplements. That&#x27;s because the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids could help regulate mood, according to research published in 2015 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Adding about 300 milligrams of omega-3s each day to a depression treatment plan can enhance results, according to research published in 2012 in the journal Polish Psychiatry.
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5 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

People with bipolar disorder may have extra motivation to start eating more fish that are heavy in omega-3s, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or they may want to consider taking omega-3 supplements. That's because the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids could help regulate mood, according to research published in 2015 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Adding about 300 milligrams of omega-3s each day to a depression treatment plan can enhance results, according to research published in 2012 in the journal Polish Psychiatry.
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&quot;If you look at countries where they eat a lot of fish, they have a relatively low incidence of bipolar disorder,&quot; Muskin says. &quot;In the brain, we think omega-3s might help with moving neurotransmitters in and out, which may help stabilize moods.&quot; <h2>6 Light Therapy</h2> People with bipolar disorder may have interrupted circadian rhythms, which means their daily biological clock isn’t working well.
Harper Kim Member
access_time 36 minutes ago
"If you look at countries where they eat a lot of fish, they have a relatively low incidence of bipolar disorder," Muskin says. "In the brain, we think omega-3s might help with moving neurotransmitters in and out, which may help stabilize moods."

6 Light Therapy

People with bipolar disorder may have interrupted circadian rhythms, which means their daily biological clock isn’t working well.
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A number of strategies may help to reset this internal clock and improve bipolar management, accordi...
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A number of strategies may help to reset this internal clock and improve bipolar management, according to a 2012 research review published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. These include timed exposure to periods of light and darkness and a forced change in sleep times. Be sure to discuss these or other similar strategies with your doctor before you try them on your own.
Madison Singh Member
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A number of strategies may help to reset this internal clock and improve bipolar management, according to a 2012 research review published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. These include timed exposure to periods of light and darkness and a forced change in sleep times. Be sure to discuss these or other similar strategies with your doctor before you try them on your own.
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7 Traditional Chinese Medicine

This approach relies on certain herbal combinations and com...
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<h2>7 Traditional Chinese Medicine</h2> This approach relies on certain herbal combinations and comprehensive changes in diet and daily habits. There is not enough evidence yet to support or rule out Chinese herbal preparations, concludes a review published in 2013 in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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7 Traditional Chinese Medicine

This approach relies on certain herbal combinations and comprehensive changes in diet and daily habits. There is not enough evidence yet to support or rule out Chinese herbal preparations, concludes a review published in 2013 in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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But some combinations may benefit mood disorders. Work with a practitioner trained in the field in c...
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It has been shown to improve daily functioning, according to a study published in 2015 in Bipolar D...
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But some combinations may benefit mood disorders. Work with a practitioner trained in the field in collaboration with your doctors. <h2>8 Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy</h2> This technique teaches people with bipolar disorder to maintain a more regular schedule in all aspects of life, including sleeping, waking, eating, and exercise.
Ella Rodriguez Member
access_time 30 minutes ago
But some combinations may benefit mood disorders. Work with a practitioner trained in the field in collaboration with your doctors.

8 Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy

This technique teaches people with bipolar disorder to maintain a more regular schedule in all aspects of life, including sleeping, waking, eating, and exercise.
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It has been shown to improve daily functioning, according to a study published in 2015 in Bipolar D...
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It has been shown to improve daily functioning, according to a study published in 2015 in Bipolar Disorders. <h2>9 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy</h2> EMDR uses a supervised program of eye movements, combined with actively remembering traumatic experiences, to improve symptoms. This approach can be helpful to people who have bipolar disorder and a history of trauma, according to research published in 2014 in the journal Psychiatry Research.  <h2>Complementary Bipolar Treatments A Few Words of Caution</h2> &quot;The reality is that there is not a lot of data on complementary therapies for bipolar disorder,&quot; Muskin says.
Luna Park Member
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It has been shown to improve daily functioning, according to a study published in 2015 in Bipolar Disorders.

9 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

EMDR uses a supervised program of eye movements, combined with actively remembering traumatic experiences, to improve symptoms. This approach can be helpful to people who have bipolar disorder and a history of trauma, according to research published in 2014 in the journal Psychiatry Research. 

Complementary Bipolar Treatments A Few Words of Caution

"The reality is that there is not a lot of data on complementary therapies for bipolar disorder," Muskin says.
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&quot;That doesn&#x27;t mean these products shouldn&#x27;t be used, but when patients try to find out about them, they shouldn&#x27;t expect to be able to go to [websites] like The New England Journal of Medicine and download a lot of articles.&quot; Muskin recommends ConsumerLab as a reputable site where people can go to research complementary therapies. &quot;You can find out whether or not the product you&#x27;re buying really contains the product you think it does, as well as what it&#x27;s indicated for and whether it has contaminants,&quot; he says. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements also provides an extensive online database of dietary supplements that includes detailed product and manufacturer information.
Amelia Singh Moderator
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"That doesn't mean these products shouldn't be used, but when patients try to find out about them, they shouldn't expect to be able to go to [websites] like The New England Journal of Medicine and download a lot of articles." Muskin recommends ConsumerLab as a reputable site where people can go to research complementary therapies. "You can find out whether or not the product you're buying really contains the product you think it does, as well as what it's indicated for and whether it has contaminants," he says. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements also provides an extensive online database of dietary supplements that includes detailed product and manufacturer information.
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Most of these therapies are safe, and there is limited evidence of negative interactions with prescription medications. Regardless, patients and their family members should actively research these products and discuss options with a psychiatrist before taking them, especially because complementary therapies do not undergo the same strict review process as pharmaceutical medications. Additional Reporting by Madeline Vann, MPH.
Brandon Kumar Member
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Most of these therapies are safe, and there is limited evidence of negative interactions with prescription medications. Regardless, patients and their family members should actively research these products and discuss options with a psychiatrist before taking them, especially because complementary therapies do not undergo the same strict review process as pharmaceutical medications. Additional Reporting by Madeline Vann, MPH.
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NEWSLETTERS <h3>Sign up for our Mental Wellness Newsletter </h3>SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. <h2>The Latest in Bipolar Disorder</h2> <h3>A Therapist Speaks What the Ye Kanye West Drama Can Teach Us About Mental Health Stigma</h3>By Allison Young, MDOctober 13, 2022 <h3>Why Race Matters if You Have Bipolar Disorder</h3>People of color with bipolar disorder are less likely to receive vital mood-stabilizing treatment than white people with the same condition, research ...By Julia MétrauxOctober 4, 2022 <h3>Bipolar Disorder and the Gut Microbiome Are They Related </h3>The short answer is yes — lifestyle changes that improve your gut health could in turn improve your mood, early research suggests.By Julia MétrauxAugust 4, 2022 <h3>Bipolar Disorder Raises Your Risk for These 4 Mental Health Conditions Too</h3>&amp;nbsp;If you have bipolar disorder, there’s a good chance you have another mental health problem, too, such as an anxiety disorder or ADHD.
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The Latest in Bipolar Disorder

A Therapist Speaks What the Ye Kanye West Drama Can Teach Us About Mental Health Stigma

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Bipolar Disorder Raises Your Risk for These 4 Mental Health Conditions Too

&nbsp;If you have bipolar disorder, there’s a good chance you have another mental health problem, too, such as an anxiety disorder or ADHD.
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