A Homeopathic Approach to Bipolar Disorder in Teens

It is natural for adolescents to experience periodic roller coaster

rides between inner serenity and emotional commotions. Is your
teenager behaving erratically and unreasonably? We should be
aware that teenagers undergo tremendous pressures at school and
with friends and family. Dealing with bipolar disorder can be
challenging for teens to cope with at such a young age.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive psychosis. This
is a brain disorder that communicates through atypical fluctuations
in mood, aptitude, energy, and activity level, thereby affecting
school grades, relationships, and outlook toward life. This disorder
manifests a jumbled state of mania and depression. Bipolar disorder
is not a psychological weakness or a personality imperfection, but is
instead a serious health condition that requires medical intervention
without delay. The diagnosis of Bipolar disorder in teens is difficult
and calls for comprehensive assessment and vigilant observation by
parents and by an experienced medical practitioner over an
extended period of time.
Causes of bipolar disorder:
Genetic
Being nurtured by parents suffering from bipolar disorder
Family history of alcohol or substance abuse
Abuse of alcohol, drugs, caffeine, medications like appetite
suppressants, antidepressants, thyroid hormone replacement,
etc.
Constant worry, emotional trauma such as separation of parents,
death in the family, etc.
Peer pressure, excessive expectations from parents
Hormonal changes, especially during puberty
Prolonged, untreated insomnia.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder:

Extreme mood changes, elevated or depleted
Impulsive, impractical behaviors, habitually making foolish decisions
“Sky-scraping” or low self-esteem, feeling like a super hero or
feeling incompetent
Alternating low to high energy levels, resulting in exaggeration of
physical and mental activities
Restlessness
Being easily distracted, resulting in dropping of grades at school
Addictions–alcohol or substance abuse
Indiscriminate sexual behavior
Body aches and pains
Increase or decrease in appetite, resulting in weight gain or weight
loss
Too much or too little sleep
Auditory and visual hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are
not there)
Paranoia
Decline in cognitive function (reasoning and perception)
Suicidal thoughts.

Homeopathic approach to bipolar disorder:

Conventional management of bipolar disorder works towards
suppressing the symptoms rather than permanently treating them.
The homeopathic approach, on the other hand, arouses the patient’s
inherent capability to reinstate balance and can both manage
symptoms and prevent relapse. Homeopathy acknowledges the
psychological basis of somatic symptoms. The constitutional
approach is a unique traditional modus operandi, which takes into
account a person’s overall nature, individual qualities, and outlook
towards life. Homeopathic remedies help stabilize the patient’s
mood and reduce the frequency and intensity of manic and
depressive episodes. The homeopathic approach can assist your
teenager in appreciating him or herself better; it can rebuild the
teen’s self-esteem, which will further facilitate adjustment to stress
and improving the teen’s social relationships. Homeopathic
remedies naturally facilitate the body’s ability to restore itself to a
healthy state of balance. The remedies stimulate the patient’s
system and regulate the production of serotonin and adrenaline,
which are responsible for mood swings, anxiety, restlessness, and
depression.
After taking appropriately selected homeopathic medicines, the
patient experiences a general feeling of well being and develops a
more positive attitude towards life. Dependency on sedatives and
anti-depressants, which have numerous side effects and are habit
forming, is also reduced. Homeopathic medicines can allow
suppressed inner capabilities to blossom and shape the inborn
behaviors with the existing circumstances, minimizing behavioral
negativities and restoring well-being. Homeopathic treatment can
help a teen stabilize emotions, attain mental peace, and facilitate
eventual happiness. Because every behavior is unique, homeopathic
constitutional treatment offers remedies that are customized to
each teen’s individual personality. Homeopathic remedies are safe,
natural, inexpensive, and highly effective.
Some homeopathic remedies that are commonly used to
treat Bipolar Disorder are described below. These are just a
few of the commonly used homeopathic remedies and are
mentioned only to create awareness about the effectiveness
of homeopathic medicines in bipolar disorder. It is not
advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease.
Common homeopathic remedies for bipolar disorder:
Agaricus Muscarius: This is an outstanding remedy for Bipolar
disorder. These patients complain of body aches and twitching
movements and are highly sensitive to pressure and cold air. They
are emotionally insensitive, confused, and talkative with aversion to
work. They are constantly yawning and drowsy all day, yet are
overly energized and can lift heavy loads. They lack perception for
comparative sizes of objects, and they may jump over small objects
as if they were tree trunks. When they get angry, they scream and
try to harm themselves. They complain of double vision. Words
seem to move or swim.
Crocus Sativus: This remedy can smooth the progress of patients
who undergo frequent and extreme emotional and psychological
changes. These patients exhibit violent anger followed by
repentance. They exhibit paroxysms of laughter, drowsiness, and
lassitude. They are indecisive and go through sudden changes from
hilarity to melancholy.
Hyoscyamus Niger: This is a first-rate remedy for a troubled
nervous system. These patients behave as maniacs, are jealous,
paranoid, quarrelsome, and may behave or speak obscenely. They
are inclined to immodest acts, gestures, and expressions. They talk
uninterruptedly, behave indecently, persist in stripping themselves,
and are afraid of being poisoned. They are very restless and laugh
at everything. Their symptoms are worse at night and during
menses (in women).
Natrum phosphate: This remedy is indicated for patients having
hallucinations; they wake up at night to hear footsteps in the next
room and can imagine furniture to be people.
Passiflora incarnata: This remedy has a quieting effect on the
nervous system. These patients are addicted to morphine. They
behave hysterically and suffer from lack of sleep. These patients are
overworked, which leads to restlessness and lack of sleep.
Platinum metallicum: This is a superb remedy for bipolar
disorder. These patients are not their usual selves, have a perceived
personality, and feel that everything around them is changed. They
are weary of everything and have an irresistible impulse to kill. They
are arrogant and have contempt for others. These patients have an
abnormal sexual appetite, and women can be nymphomaniacs.
Tarentula hispanica: This remedy corresponds with patients who
are extremely nervous and hysterical. They are highly restless and
must keep in constant motion, although walking makes them even
more restless. They experience sudden alterations of mood and can
be mischievous with destructive impulses. These patients are
discontented and always guided by whims. They are sexually
excited to the extent of insanity.
Self care measures for bipolar disorder:
Educate yourself regarding this illness.
Be acquainted with the needs of your body and mind.
Get involved in activities that you enjoy. Do what you need to
rejuvenate your mind and body.
Make a note of your manic and depressive triggers. Your awareness
will help you in avoiding situations that trigger it.
Make lifestyle changes.
Reduce stressors in your life.
Resolve any disputes you have with your family and friends.
Avoid being in irritating situations.
Choose good, optimistic company.
Accept the help of family and friends.
Work on improving communication and understanding between you,
your parents, and siblings.
Eat and sleep well.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs.
Follow your homeopathic consultations and prescription regularly.
Keep a regular routine, such as regular meal times and bedtime.
Parents: Help your teen be appreciative, avoid too-high
expectations of them, and let them approach life at their own
pace.

Hence, consider homeopathy as a treatment option and motivate

your teenager to live a more productive life, to be happy, healthy,
and enjoy everything that life has to offer.