does anyone think holistic medicine is a responsible way to handle mental illness

[Rising Phoenix]

I have a meeting with a doc who does accupuncture, special diet and exercise, and herbs as a way of handling my bipolar. My newest reaction to my current med is causing me to explore other options. I'm not asking for medical advice, not really, as I will be seeing a therapist as well. Just wondering if there has been anyone who has had success with this as a way to deal with their illness, either by itself or along with western medicine.

[EFerrari]

1. I have an anxiety disorder and hate pills.

So, I tried everything else. Everything. In the end, I had to find a way to take prescription meds. Took a long time to get the right ones in the right dosage but, my life changed completely.

I did find that some non-Western tools helped a great deal but in my case, anyway, they couldn't substitute.

[Rising Phoenix]

2. yes, I feel that will be my case too

I am just having the worst time finding my cocktail. I have horrible reactions to most meds, and quite frankly I am running out of meds to try. Wish me luck tomorrow when I talk to my pdoc, then fire her.

[EFerrari]

3. I had very bad reactions to most meds because I didn't want them.

Whenever I started a new one, I'd have panic attacks. Until I figured out that I was generally anxious about any pill, not just this one. The therapist didn't figure it out, I did. Wild, just wild. But knowing that helped me surf the process of settling down with something that might help keep me even.

You always have my best wishes, whether I type it or say it or not.

:hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

4. thank you very much

I can admit that panic and hysteria is def. part of my problem. I feel these pills doing "something" to my body. Something that doesn't happen naturally, that terrifies me and I hate it.....I feel out of control.
But I take them, with the exception of a few weeks here or there years ago.....I take all the pills they say will make me well.
I have lost my hair.
I have gained 100 lbs
I have lost 120 lbs
I have gained 100 lbs again
I have had several life threatening rashes.
This med that is bugging me know, I have been on for about a year and half. However I have developed an irregular and dangerously fast heartbeat.. I have had a fever for 21 days that never goes down. I have had trouble swallowing. I have been to my pcp who did many expensive test, and found noticing. I am the one who connected my new symptoms with my med. The pdoc on call said stop taking it.....I see my doc tomorrow morning. She however didn't bother to return my calls, and had the receptionist guess as to whether it is safe for me to take the meds till I see her. After I see her tomorrow and hopefully get some help. I will fire her, and then go to my appt with the dept of mental health. Wish me luck tonight and tomorrow, I will need it. Well, you don't have to wish it, like you said, your best wishes are always there.
good night,
rp

[Odin2005]

12. What meds are you on? I take Lamictal and Paxil and have no problems.

[Rising Phoenix]

13. right now

seroquel, prozac and ativan......I have had horrible reactions to all other meds.....I have been trying for the last 12 years or so.......running out of options.......I can't take lamictal because of the rash risk, I got a nasty one on tegratol and my doc said that is even more rare, and we can't take a chance.....

[no name no slogan]

5. You have to try all options

I've used some holistic practices and have gotten relief to various degrees. However, I don't think it's a good idea to rely solely on them, especially in the case of a serious and persistent mental illness. It's like going to war in a way: you bring every weapon you have at your disposal, because you know your enemy will do the same.

[mdmc]

6. I am a huge believer in the truth that I don't know it all

What I do know is that focusing on improving your life - is beneficial. What harm could come from exercise and proper diet?
I have had some relief from my RA (rheumatoid arthritis) symptoms with acupuncture. I mentioned to the acupuncturist that I struggle with anxiety. She put a needle is an anxiety nerve (left foot, middle toe, on the side of the toe) and it was very painful - the only pain out of 30 some odd needles. Afterward, some of my RA pain was gone, but I really noticed how relaxed I was.
I couldn't afford long term acupuncture. I'm not sure the effects were worth the price of treatment ($75 per session).
But if you can fit it into your budget, I would strongly suggest that you give it a try.

[Rising Phoenix]

7. thanks

I would really love to, just can't afford it right now........but am keeping my options open

[mdmc]

8. ya might be able to find some free acupuncture

"The Friendship Club" and "Pathways to Progress" are two day programs for people in Orange County to utilize.

Twice a month they have an acupuncturist come in and work on clients. It is free, and the treatment focus is generally depression or anxiety.

But it is free to clients that go to one of these day programs.

I wonder if there is something close to you that could be accessed for free.

Also, there is no harm in calling acupuncturist, telling them what your symptoms are, and seeing if they would meet with you for free or on a sliding scale.

[Rising Phoenix]

9. I have not had success with day treatments

I am in the process of speaking with a holistic doc in my town, who will agree to a sliding scale fee and also, give discounts if I pay in one lump sum in the begining.......I'll keep you posted

[mdmc]

14. Cool

Day programs are really crap.. but what else is there?
All the best and keep posting

[hedgehog]

10. I believe in adding to conventional therapy, but not in replacing it.

I tend to take a lot of vitamins, but only after carefully studying what people like the NIH have to say. Often, they end up saying, "can't hurt, might help".

You have to be very careful, because even something seemingly as safe as melantonin can react badly with some SSRIs.

[Odin2005]

11. Stay away from the woo.

A good diet and good exercise is just good common sense. St. John's Wort can help with depression (it has some compound in it that a natural SSRI IIRC), but it shouldn't be used with bipolar for obvious reasons (might cause mania). Meditation is proven to be helpful with some people and is increasingly used with CBT. But in the end finding a med that works for you is priority #1.

[mdmc]

15. CBT or DBT?

http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/ i think DBT is very helpful..

[Rising Phoenix]

16. I hated DBT and did not find it helpful at all

[mdmc]

17. I often wonder if it is personality that makes it effective

I work with some great therapists - some are real good.
I've heard good things and bad things about this group.
I've noticed that it depended on the facilitator and the client.
If both were in it for the right reasons, it worked good.
Otherwise it ain't worth shiite..

Take a look at that link http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/
I found that the self help - like this forum - was better then the group..

[Rising Phoenix]

18. My group leader was also my therapist at the time

and I had many issues with her, she was very judgemental, and made me feel so bad about myself that I cried on several occasions.......I am much better off where I am now.

[mdmc]

19. that sounds like an awful treatment situation my friend

check the link and see if anything graps ya. I found it helpful. Ditto with Dr. Cutler's book The Art of Happiness. Peace and low stress..

[Odin2005]

20. I have CBT.

And it works very well, especially when I was an emotional wreck in the weeks immediately after my friend was raped.