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Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
The Role of Alternative Medicine in Bipolar Disorder
There are no studies to prove the efficacy or safety of most alternative therapies. It is important to notify your health care provider if you are using any alternative therapies, no matter how insignificant or benign they may seem.
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of supplements that some people take for bipolar disorder, (e.g., St. John's Wort) and little is known regarding their effect on the course of bipolar disorder. There are indications that St. John's Wort may actually reduce the effectiveness of certain medications and may cause a switch from depression to mania in some patients.
Some people report longer periods of remission and a reduction in irritable mood using Omega 3 fatty acids found in certain fish oils. This finding has not been confirmed and Omega 3 oil has not been approved by the FDA for treatment of bipolar disorder.
