Inside a Bipolar Mind: Interview with Natasha Tracy

Please I looking for help for me brother he is38 years of age and has been diagnosed as a biopolar

Hi Nicolene,
You brother needs to be seen by a health care professional. The literature shows that his best chance of getting better is to take medication and get therapy. I would recommend seeing people who specialize in bipolar disorder, if possible.
I hope this helps. Good luck.

Hi Natasha,
I've been researching Bipolar Disorder like crazy recently because my friend was recently diagnosed. Your blog is very VERY eye-opening to me, because it isn't statistics or science or definitions, it is experience.
I heard from various sources that a good handful of people with bipolar are allergic to gluten (and at least 98% of schizophrenics are). It isn't a physical reaction, but it is a mental one that may add to the symptoms being faced. Just out of curiosity, have you tried a gluten-free diet?
I haven't read all of your posts, but I really think I will. I would love more posts about interacting with people with bipolar and how you see different phrases or even the way people say things when you are in different moods.
By the way, you're really pretty.

Hi Karissa,
Well, thank-you, I'm glad you're finding some help here.
To be clear, there is _no_ evidence of a gluten intolerance in bipolars. The one and only study failed to show anything significant.
Additionally, 98% of schizophrenics _are_not_ gluten intolerant. A small subset of people with schizophrenia have celiac disease, and yes, it does seem like a good thing to screen for.
You can take a look at some research here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652467/?tool=pubmed
And FYI, I tried a low-carb diet and my mood worsened. I later learned this is actually supported by research. Depression tends to need more brain food (carbs) not less. Schizophrenics on the other hand may have too much activity in their brain and carbs may make this worse. (The last two statement being conjecture, of course.)
Interacting with bipolar is an interesting topic and I'll definitely put it on my list of things to write about.
Thanks.
- Natasha

Natasha,
If you read the report on the NIH's website, it clearly shows that schizophrenics DO have a positive response to gluten free diets.
"She returned for a follow-up appointment 7 days after starting the low-carbohydrate diet. She was feeling well, and noted an increase in energy. She was seen again in clinic 19 days later. When asked how she was doing, she responded that she was no longer hearing voices or seeing skeletons. She first noticed this upon awakening about 8 days after starting the program. She had had no change in medication. The only change had been in her dietary intake which now consisted of beef, chicken, turkey, ham, fish, green beans, tomatoes, diet drinks, and water. She denied hunger. C.D. was very happy that she was no longer hearing voices, and believed that it made her calmer. Her body weight was 136.2 kilograms, sitting BP was 150/84 mmHg, and pulse was 76 beats per minute."
Are you a doctor? Are you qualified to publish your medical opinions? Obviously not, since you didn't even read the article you posted to prove your point. Do everyone else a favor, and stay off the internet.
John

Hi John,
What the report says is the _some_ schizophrenics react to gluten-free diets. They note that:
"In one such study, approximately 10% of schizophrenic patients had improvement in their symptoms by elimination of dietary gluten "
What I said is that it is not correct that 98% of schizophrenics are gluten intolerant. What I also said is that a subset of schizophrenics do appear to have celiac disease and that it seems like a good thing to screen for.
So, simply put, yes, this study does note a case study where a person positively reacted to a gluten-free diet. This is no way generalizes to all schizophrenics.
There are also cases where gluten related diets were studied in schizophrenics and no effect or the opposite effect was noted: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7065842
Am I a doctor, no. I simply stated the inaccuracy of a statement, which I stand by.
- Natasha

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
i dont want to appear to be religous but i have bipolar also and in my tears or in my day or laughter Being a bornagain Christian having God as my Saviour gets me through it.. i believe its why im alive .. hugs

hi there my wife and i have been maried for 9 years she has bipolar and has fighted her familly for many years now she fights me the same way but some things are personal and some are not