Living with bipolar disorder? 6 natural options to support your treatment

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you may be interested in available treatment options. From psychotherapy to medication, deciding on the best combination of treatments can be confusing and even overwhelming.

Bipolar disorder is a highly treatable condition. While a combination of therapy and medication is commonly recommended, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment, and many people incorporate other methods alongside the options. 

It’s recommended that people diagnosed with bipolar disorder work closely with a licensed professional before beginning any treatment. While this article isn’t a substitute for medical treatment, we’ll provide a general overview of how bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed and treated, coupled with six natural options to enhance your treatment.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is an umbrella term for four types of mood disorders where symptoms of depression and mania alternate. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines bipolar disorder as a brain disorder that causes changes in a person’s mood, energy levels, and daily functioning.

People with bipolar disorder experience mania during manic episodes associated with elevated or irritable moods. These moods may be accompanied by racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, heightened energy, and other high-energy activities that may seem inappropriate or out-of-character. 

People with bipolar disorder may also experience hypomania, which resembles mania but is milder.

Types of bipolar disorder

Most mental health professionals recognize the following four types of bipolar disorder: 

1. Bipolar I disorder

This subtype is associated with the most intense symptoms, with periods of mania that may last up to seven days and depressive symptoms lasting up to two weeks.

2. Bipolar II disorder

In terms of severity, this subtype falls between bipolar I and cyclothymic disorder. People with bipolar II disorder have experienced a depressive episode and may experience hypomania but generally do not experience the intense manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

3. Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder, also called cyclothymia, is considered the least severe subtype of bipolar disorder. However, people with this diagnosis still experience bouts of depression and mania that can interrupt their daily lives.

4. Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BD-NOS)

If your symptoms don’t align with one of the types described above, you may receive a diagnosis of BD-NOS, also called unspecific bipolar disorder. 

This doesn’t mean your symptoms are any less challenging or deserving of treatment. To support someone with BD-NOS, a doctor may suggest similar treatments to those commonly offered for other subtypes alongside personalized remedies for any additional symptoms. 

Common treatments for bipolar disorder

Most commonly, bipolar disorder is treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. 

If you’re looking for more information on medicines for bipolar disorder, it’s best to consult a licensed doctor for personalized guidance. Medications can help stabilize the mood swings associated with bipolar disorder, but it’s important to meet with a doctor before beginning any pharmaceutical treatment.

To supplement medications, many doctors recommend psychological treatment for people with bipolar disorder. Some of the most common psychotherapies include: 

1. Psychoeducation to learn more about bipolar disorder
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is highly effective for depression
3. Family therapy and other forms of talk therapy that focus on family dynamics, friendships, and other social influences on mental health

Natural options to support bipolar disorder treatment

In addition to these treatments, you may be looking for ways to supplement and personalize your bipolar disorder treatment. 

1. Ashwagandha (withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha is a promising supplement for people with bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health conditions. People have consumed this perennial nightshade shrub for thousands of years to treat various ailments, including anxiety, arthritis, asthma, and hiccups. 

In a 2013 study of ashwagandha extract, researchers found that when people with bipolar disorder constantly consumed the extract in capsule form, their verbal working memory improved, suggesting that ashwagandha enhanced their cognitive functioning. 

For people with bipolar disorder, this research indicates that ashwagandha can reduce stress and may even have neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects. However, more studies are needed to confirm these benefits. 

2. Valerian (valeriana officinalis)

Valerian is another perennial plant found in North America, Europe, and Asia. For over 1,000 years, people have used valerian as a sedative-hypnotic agent, which is a substance that induces and maintains sleep.

While valerian has been studied in patients with sleep problems, less is known about its potential as a treatment for people with bipolar disorder. However, because patients with bipolar disorder often experience insomnia and anxiety between mood episodes, valerian may help them improve their natural sleep and manage anxiety without significant side effects.

3. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Rhodiola rosea, called Rhodiola and known as “golden root” or “arctic root” in parts of Europe and Asia, is a traditional medicine and natural tonic, also referred to as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are edible plant substances that can help the human body manage stress and maintain balance, or homeostasis, based on a growing body of research and years of use worldwide. 

As an adaptogen, Rhodiola can improve strength, endurance, and physical and mental performance, according to Mental Health America (MHA). People living with bipolar disorder should work closely with a physician if they’re interested in using Rhodiola, as there are some anecdotal associations of the herb with episodes of mania. 

Rhodiola may reduce stress, provide neuroprotection, and improve symptoms of mild to moderate depression. As with any promising treatment, more studies are necessary to establish the safety and efficacy of this herb for bipolar disorder and other conditions.

4. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passionflower has long been used as a folk remedy to treat anxiety, insomnia, painful menstruation, burns, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. The plant is traditionally grown in South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It may be a helpful treatment for people with bipolar disorder and other conditions worldwide.

Researchers believe passionflower may reduce anxiety by restoring gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system function. GABA is an amino acid that functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter for the central nervous system, and low levels of GABA may be linked to feelings of anxiety.

Current studies find no adverse reactions associated with passionflower, suggesting that people with bipolar disorder could benefit from its anxiety-reducing, sleep-enhancing effects. Like all other treatments on this list, further studies are needed to determine the widespread safety and effectiveness.

5. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Skullcap is a perennial herb found in North America, traditionally used as a nerve relaxant. Similar to passionflower, scientists have found that skullcap may affect mood by influencing the GABA system in the brain, although this mechanism isn’t fully understood.

More research is needed on the role of skullcap in treating bipolar disorder. However, a small body of research suggests that the herb can reduce anxiety and improve sleep, mirroring the benefits of passionflower and lemon balm.

6. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

If you’re looking for a natural treatment that smells good and might make you feel even better, lemon balm meets the mark. This lemon-scented perennial shrub is commonly found in Europe and has been used as a medicinal treatment for thousands of years.

Although we need more studies to understand its psychiatric applications, current research suggests that lemon balm can reduce mild anxiety and insomnia in people with bipolar disorder. It may also improve memory function and calmness in healthy people.

Bipolar disorder treatment with online therapy

In addition to these natural treatments, your doctor may recommend starting therapy to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

While some prefer in-person counseling, many patients use online therapy to invest in their mental health at their convenience. Using a digital platform like BetterHelp, you can match with a licensed therapist in as little as 48 hours after completing a brief questionnaire and begin scheduling sessions at a time and place that works best for you. 

Each BetterHelp therapist has at least three years of professional experience, and many of our therapists support clients with bipolar disorder, anxiety, insomnia, and related conditions. 

Many studies find that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person options, including a 2018 study of an online self-guided intervention for bipolar disorder, which included educational modules, interactive tools, and discussion forums. After completing the program, participants with bipolar disorder reported improvements in their depression symptoms but no significant differences in mania. 

At the time of the study, this was the first randomized controlled trial of an online self-help program. The intervention shows the potential to reduce the burden of bipolar depression.