naturopathic medicine?

[spongebobfan]

I've read that many of you choose to treat yourself through natural remedies and try to avoid medication. At least that's what I think I've read. I have mixed emotions on this topic. I think there is absolutely a place for both types of medicine and I believe they are most effective when used together as a team.
Here comes my new thought process. I'm sick of meds. I'm tired of feeling blah all the time. I'm tired of suppressed "good" emotions. I'm tired of memory loss and difficulty concentrating. I want off the meds. I'm ready to talk natural medicine. I'm planning to make an appt with a naturopathic doctor tomorrow just to get her opinion. The thing is I really don't know anything about this. What exactly do they do? What should I expect? Have you guys seen naturopathic docs and have you had good results?

[Paz]

 I use both.... a Naturopath & A Shrink. I have had a lot of success with the 2 Naturopaths that I have seen, and success with Homeopathic remedies combined with light doses of Pharmaceuticals. I really think it depends on where you are treatment wise, like how long you have been in therapy, what sort of coping skills you have acquired, how well you cope, etc.

 I am Bipolar 1 maniac who has psychosis, and sometimes my swings are just too severe for the Homeopathic meds, hence my occasional use of Pharmaceuticals, but a huge part of mood swings is stress and when I eliminate the stress, the swings stop. I try to live my life as simply as possible, and I have what I call a "therapeutic lifestyle". It basically means that everything I do in my everyday life is therapeutic, like not drinking caffeine, juicing, eating only organic, taking vitamins & supplements, exercising, meditating, using aromatherapy, doing yoga, drinking mineral water, going to bed & waking at the same time everyday. I try to have fresh flowers in the house, I play with my son, I take long walks on the trail by the waterfall. I basically just try to be serene and healthy. And I go to therapy.

 The #1 thing to remember is that a healthy diet and lifestyle is very important! I believe you will have a better chance at successful treatment & recovery [and we do have recovery periods, it's also known as stability] if you are physically healthy. I think it's great that you want to explore different alternative treatments, we need to do all that we can to live a happy & healthy life. Meds are not enough, and they are not the total answer. Therapy is key, we all need therapy and probably will for the rest of our lives. Talking about things is very important, as is honesty.

 I can't wait to see my original Naturopath In Costa Rica!!! He is the absolute best!   

[Kensho]

one of my two new doctors is also a licensed naturopath and all the protocols she's used so far are considered alternative/naturopathic medicine... between the two of my doctors i've been able to eliminate 5 out of 7 medications and the two that i remain on are at maintenance doses as opposed to maximum doses... i have schizoaffective disorder which is schizophrenia and bipolar combined... all of my depression, anxiety and mania have been gone months ago... my remaining schizophrenia symptoms are almost completely gone... the ones that remain happen less frequently and are quite a bit less intense... you are doing the right thing, i'm very excited for you!!! 

when i first started it was very difficult at first because of low energy levels and my negative thinking, but i applied visualization techniques while meditating and it slowly began to kick in until i reached a point of total mind commitment... the reason i bring this up is just in case motivation becomes an issue for you... if you need any advice or help don't hesitate to ask, OK?

i wish you the best of luck...

Kensho 

[Dreamline]

Hey SBfan,

You live in one of the more beautiful places in the world and with the changes in season, there are a variety of outdoor activities you can do cheaply.  I live in the suburbs and everything costs money or you have to find a place to do it.  Every time I walk down the street, its a risk.  I could be attacked by a dog, run over crossing the road (that too has nearly happened), shot in crossfire, attacked in the park, robbed...etc.  This place sucks.  Anyway, I don't live where you do but I know there's plenty of ways to reap the benefits of nature's spiritually healing power...just by its sheer beauty.  Even here in this ghetto/trailerpark shit there's a nature preserve only 15 minutes away.  Its a wetland and beach...I sprint/walk to the end and run or walk back.  I sit out there and meditate or lay there and watch the clouds.  Its healing.  Its an essential part of my staying well.

Other than that what I do is very much like they do.  I eat according to my metabolic type and as much of that raw and organic as I can do.  I have an organic garden in the summer and it saves money and is therapeutic.   I find that regular sun exposure is very important for my wellbeing...physically and mentally.  I take krill oil, rawone, probiotics and inositol since lithium depletes that nutrient.  Many pharmaceuticals deplete nutrients and you should find out which ones you need to supplement.  The better your diet the less impact the drugs will have and the less you will need them.

You will find that these changes go together so well that its easier than you thought.  Its like, one leads to another.  Its nothing to worry about, just one step at a time....don't change your diet over night, make improvements.  Keep stress down...keep it simple.  Don't drown yourself, just wade into it gradually.

[spongebobfan]

Thanks for the encouragement. I haven't got hold of the naturopath yet but I'm excited to make the appointment. I'll let you know what happens.