What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects 3% to 5% of the population. If you've been diagnosed with this illness you should take the medication you've been prescribed. But if you can't afford the medication and you don't have any medical insurance, you should know that there are natural things you can do to help relieve the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Keep in mind, if you're feeling suicidal you need to call 911 immediately.

Step 1:
Exercise! No one likes to see that word, but if you're bipolar, exercising regularly can help relieve stress. It also makes your body release endorphins, which are hormones that help relieve pain and lift your mood.

Step 2:
Avoid light from your computer and TV at night. One of the biggest problems many people with bipolar disorder have is that they can't stick to a regular sleep pattern. They either sleep too much or too little. But the light from your laptop and TV is a special type of light called "blue light". This "blue light" sends a signal to your brain that tells it to stay awake. So try to turn everything off at least an hour before bedtime.

If you absolutely must use your computer at night, you should check out a free program called f.lux which lets you put a yellow filter on your screen at night to reduce blue light.

Step 3:
Consider taking omega 3 supplements. Studies have shown that omega 3 fats can help relieve depression in people with bipolar disorder. Omega 3 oils also help grow and maintain brain cells, which helps the brain function better. It's generally recommended to take between 2 and 4 grams a day. If you don't like the idea of taking supplements you can include more fish in your diet or make fruit smoothies and add a small amount of fish oil.

Step 4:
Consider taking a magnesium supplement. Researchers think that magnesium may act like a mood stabilizer.

Warnings:

If you are ever feeling suicidal you should call 911.

You should be under the care of a psychiatrist whenever possible if you have bipolar disorder. But unfortunately, many people can't afford to see a doctor or they can't afford the medications used to treat this illness. This article is for those people that have to manage bipolar disorder on their own. But even if you are under the care of a doctor, you can still use these tips to help manage your bipolar disorder better. Be sure to discuss these options with your psychiatrist if you are on prescription medication due to the fact that some supplements may interact with certain drugs.