What is the Biblical solution for Bipolar Disorder

[Ginny]

My 31 yr old niece has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder...We do not trust the medications she has been perscribed.... We need to find Christian counseling ...where do we start?

[Jenny]

You can call 1-800-NEW-LIFE for help finding a professional therapist in the New Life Network in your area. You can also look in your local phone book under christian counseling. Your pastor may have suggestions for therapists and/or psychiatrists. Please remember that bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brian and if your niece has been properly diagnosed she will most probably need medication, just like a diabetic or anyone else with a chronic illness, in addition to therapy. Unfortunately, finding the correct medication or combination of medications is difficult. It is a lot of trial and error, and takes time. Remember most psychiatric medications take 4-6 weeks to take full effect, and then dosages may need to be adjusted. Sometimes when starting a new medication it takes the body some time to adjust, for instance some may make you drowsy at first but once your body adjusts the drowsiness subsides. Hopefully once your niece finds a therapist she can work with, he/she will have some referrals to some psychiatrists. I have been blessed to find both a christian psychiatrist and christian therapist. You may want to check out the National Alliance for Mental Illness (www.nami.org) because they have resources for family members of people with mental illness, the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (www.dbsalliance.org) is another good source for information about the disease.

[Ginny]

Jenny, thanks so much for all the good info. I will check out the links you sent .

[Ginny]

Thanks for replying.... She has tried meds.... very briefly...with bad side effects...extreme weight gain ...and she was not herself...seemed zombie-like...as I have seen it described online.
We hoped she might get help with natural supplements etc...She seems to be better when she sticks to strict diet...no caffiene.... vitamins ... for example.
I haven't had much success finding Christian counselors in her area ...but her Mom has made a connection with someone today and hopes to get an appointment soon.
We do believe in medicine ...that God works through Drs...and medicine...but have seen others have bad effects...and have read/ heard so much negative thus far with getting just the right dosage. Thanks again ...

[Dawn]

I have bipolar with mania. I will stay up for days at a time. I have found medication helps but I needed to know that I was loved. I wanted my family and friends to hold my hand and they didn't. It sent me into a spiral that I controlled with anorexia. Please stand by her and try to understand we don't want to be this way we just are.
I found a great christian therapist by calling focus on the family. check out their website at www.focusonthefamily.org
and I will pray for her and the others like me. God's blessings

[Ginny]

Dawn, thank you and God bless you! We are familiar with Focus on the Family.
If you want to chat with me online I would be so happy to hear more from you.

[Dawn]

I would love too. just add me to your friend list.

[Amelia]

Hi Ginny,

I agree with Jenny. My sweet 15 year old turned into a monster a couple of years ago. In finding help for her, it helped solved the question of the elephant that walked the halls of my childhood. I hated that elephant and I never wanted to see it again. Its name - bipolar disorder. Now my life makes sense, my mother and my sister and now my daughter have battled with it. I fought for my daughter the way that I wish someone would have fought for my mother. She was a violent beast and I grew up hating her. The reactions are different for everyone, some are manic, others depressive, others violent, still others a combo. I found my daughter a therapist through New Life who recommended a Psychiatrist. Today at 18 years old she is living a very productive life. I remember the day she asked me, "Mom, does Dr. R. think that I have bi-polar disorder. Is it like being diabetic where my body has a chemical imbalance?" She understands that it is a biological disorder that has a hereditary component to it. It is ok to seek help. It is ok to take medication. Her life will be different because of it. Blessings to you.

[Ginny]

Amelia, This gives such hope! Thank you!

[Ehren]

Hi, I have struggled for several years with feelings of depression, anxiety, OCD, etc and have been trying different supplements and methods. I have never liked the "treat the symptom" mentality of our modern medical system. From my experience taking a vitamin B complex seems to help me quite a bit.

I recently came across EMPowerplus and I will be trying it. It sounds like many with mental illness have found a lot of benefit from using it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i5NocyCPCs

http://www.truehope.com/default.aspx