Bipolar disorder is a severe psychiatric illness that requires treatment with medication and often therapy. However there are changes that you can make in your everyday life that can help improve your symptoms and overall health. In this we will discuss make changes in your diet that will compliment your medication and therapy routines.
Instructions
1. Eat more foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Many people with bipolar disorder and depression have found that consuming more omega-3 fatty acids help to improve mood-related symptoms. Oily fish are the food normally associated with omega-3 fatty acids however there are other sources if fish isn't your favorite food choice. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli work well if you are of the vegetable persuasion. For those on the go, walnuts are a quick way to fuel up on omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Cut back on or completely remove caffeine and alcohol from you diet. If you take medication for bipolar disorder that interacts poorly with alcohol avoid drinking at all cost, as the alcohol may reduce the efficacy of your medication. Caffeine should be avoided if it affects your normal sleep schedule, as a loss of sleep can trigger both manic and depressed mood states.
3. If you take lithium as a mood stabilizer remember to drink water regularly throughout the day as the amount of water in your body affects the concentration of the medication. Increasing the amount of water you drink every day is also a way to replace or offset the amount of soda of coffee you might have consumed in the past. If water isn't quite to your liking, consider switching to caffeine-free low-calorie sodas to reduce your caffeine and sugar intake.
4. Focus on a general low calorie, low sugar diet. Many medications prescribed for bipolar disorder have the unpleasant side effect of significant weight gain. Consider changing your diet to focus on healthier eating, cutting out more of the processed foods and those high in sugars, as well as lowering your overall daily calorie intake.
Tags: fatty acids, omega-3 fatty, omega-3 fatty acids, amount water, bipolar disorder, help improve