I was diagnosed Bipolar but I never will accept it

by Francis Lara
(Kissimmee)

I have experienced mania and major depression all of my life and major reason is because the death I have endured since I was born. I am 25 and last year i was hospitalized 3 times, went to jail, went on crazy spending sprees and suffered with family and close friends. At the same time I am a student of spirituality and the law of attraction, the mind and the soul. I feel that america and parts of latin america have the whole "disease" misconstrued and damage us with medication that have long and short term side effects. I Feel mania is amazing if controlled and can take you to limitless heights. I recently came off a huge depression for 6 months and I am starting to feel good again but more leveled. I Haven't taken medication in 9 months and although I have negative thoughts all the time i meditate in the morning and have a clear vision of who I want to be and who I am. I Feel a little manic sometimes with rage outbursts but they are not as prolonged as they were when i was super manic. I know this website is full of information and it's great but I want your opinion on what you think I should do as far as routine diet spirituality?

Ben's Reply:

It's not really possible for me to give you specific advice, as each person is different and unique. Bipolar disorder - or "energy imbalance" - or whatever name you want to give these symptoms, are usually caused by a variety of factors, and the cause is not the same for each person. Each person's physiology is different and a healthy diet is not exactly the same for all people. Ayurvedic medicine is excellent at identifying what type of constitution a person has, what their imbalances are likely to be, and what foods to eat or not eat in order to be more balanced.

I will say however, that certain dietary guide lines are good practice for everyone. Avoid sugar - especially refined sugar. Avoid artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and food dyes. Avoid processed foods. Eat as much locally grown organic produce as possible. I do not recommend strict raw diets because some people become too ungrounded and prone to anxiety or mania as a result (this is not necessarily the case for everyone though).

As for spiritual practice, the important thing is to choose something that helps you feel balanced and grounded. Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gung, and Mindfulness Meditation are all excellent practices. It is very important to use moderation. I would not recommend jumping into doing long periods of meditation or meditation retreats without proper guidance and a long period of steady progress first.

As for anyone with a history of bipolar disorder, especially in the absence of medication, I strongly recommend that you have a very solid safety plan, support system, and as much routine, daily discipline as possible. The best time to develop those things is now. And it is far easier to make sensible plans when you are feeling stable.

I want to be clear, that I have seen many people achieve a high level of stability and peace both with medication, and without. You have to find what works for you.

Take Care,
Ben