Vitamins for Bipolar Disorder

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 6 million adult Americans suffer from some form of bipolar disorder. Traditional treatment is with a combination of mood-stabilizing medications, such as lithium or Depakote, antidepressants and anti-psychotic drugs. Because of the side effects of many traditional bipolar medications, many patients opt to treat their symptoms with vitamins and other natural remedies, generally in addition to prescribed medications. Because bipolar disorder is a serious and potentially fatal illness, any changes in treatment should be conducted under the supervision of a mental health professional.

Function

• Some vitamins work to directly decrease certain symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, such as mood instability, insomnia and anxiety, while others improve the absorption rate of prescribed medications or reduce the side effects associated with those medications.

Types

• The B vitamins have shown to be the most effective for bipolar disorder, especially B6, B12 and folic acid, which is essential for manufacturing the neurotransmitters that regulate sleep and mood.

Benefits

• Vitamins for bipolar disorder not only result in less frequent and severe episodes for some people, but they also may improve the effectiveness of other treatments without causing additional side effects.

Side Effects

• When taken is high doses, folic acid may result in mania or counteract the mood-stabilizing effects of some bipolar medications.

Warning

• Bipolar disorder is a serious condition, and those suffering from it should not modify or discontinue their current treatment plan without first consulting a psychiatrist.