Many people choose supplements, whether to target a specific wellness problem, or to improve their general wellbeing, but are they advisable when you have bipolar disorder? Supplements can be beneficial for ensuring you get all the vitamins you need every day, especially for the optimal functioning of your brain and nervous system, but when it comes to the direct treatment of bipolar disorder, there’s no real consensus as to how useful they are. Are supplements an option, or just a waste of your time and money?
Some supplements have been designed to prevent deficiencies of certain nutrients in your body. Multivitamins and fish oil capsules fit into this category. In bipolar disorder, researchers have made links between mood swings and deficiencies in B vitamins, and so arguably this is where supplements come into the equation. Plus, you have pills that are marketed as sleep aids or antidepressants, but the effectiveness and safety of these supplements have come under some scrutiny.
As it stands, there isn’t a great deal of evidence that proves supplements are effective for helping treat major medical conditions, so before you use them, it’s important to consult your doctor. This is especially important when you have bipolar disorder, as there are various negative side effects to supplements if you take them with certain medications. Depending on the supplement you take and how it interacts with your body, it could worsen your depression or mania symptoms. Plus, no matter who you are or what condition you have, you can have too much of a good thing; even too many vitamins can be toxic to your body so, again, medical supervision is key.
In fact, Dr. Soroya Bacchus, who practices in California, discourages the use of supplements other than a basic multivitamin. She notes that as people who are bipolar are often already taking a lot of pills, and supplements can interact with standard bipolar medications, there’s really no point in bothering. She explains, ‘Supplements are a waste of time and money. I would rather you save your money and spend it on something you can really enjoy.’ Obviously, this is just one opinion in a wide range of perspectives, so research supplements thoroughly and consult a doctor you trust to find out what’s right for you.
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