An Update On My Adventures With Flaxseed Oil
This past Friday (February 8) made two weeks that I’ve been taking flaxseed oil as a potential alternative treatment for bipolar disorder. I thought now would be a good time to update you all on how it’s going.
- Friday, January 25 - Friday, February 1: I took one capsule of flaxseed oil each day, and could feel my mood - my temperament - leveling. I wasn’t sad for no reason, I wasn’t elated for no reason - I was just…”normal.” I was steady.
- Saturday, February 2 - Sunday, February 3: I didn’t take any flaxseed oil on these two days. I merely forgot. I didn’t notice anything different Saturday night, but on Sunday morning I woke up feeling less than stellar. Later that day and on into the night, I felt quite irritable for no good reason. By the time Monday afternoon/evening rolled around, I was outright angry with the world. It wasn’t until right before I went to bed Monday night that I realized I’d forgotten to take my flaxseed oil all weekend. I took one capsule and went to bed.
- Monday, February 4 - Present: I am still taking one capsule of flaxseed oil each day. After resuming my flaxseed oil intake after forgetting for those two days, I started feeling steady again. My mood has remained level, and it feels as if it’s a more “permanent” level, i.e., I’m not really worried about waking up tomorrow feeling dark and dreary for no reason. Well, maybe I shouldn’t say “permanent” level, because I do feel as if my mood could elevate.
So…that’s pretty interesting. Could the flaxseed oil be the reason my mood has been so level these past couple of weeks? Could my serious funk/irritability/anger last weekend be because I suddenly stopped taking the flaxseed oil for two days? Or, could it be too soon to tell if it’s having any effect at all. I don’t know…I was pretty excited about it until I found this little bubble-burster from MayoClinic.com:
Based on one study, flaxseed or flaxseed oil taken by mouth may cause mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder.
Ruh-roh. Now I’m wondering if this leveled mood could be the calm before a hypomanic storm. I seriously doubt mania’s anywhere on the horizon right now, but a prediction of hypomania wouldn’t be too far-fetched. Actually, it wouldn’t be far-fetched at all.
In any event, the ol’ brain feels good and I’m going to continue with the flaxseed oil for now.
Anyone else have any experiences with natural treatments for bipolar disorder or depression?
POSTED IN: Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Mood Disorders, No Prescription Needed, Personal Recovery Plan, Resources, Self-help, Side Effects, Sites of Interest, Updates
3 opinions for An Update On My Adventures With Flaxseed Oil
BP Kids
Feb 11, 2008 at 7:52 am
Have not used Flax Seed, but have had very good results with Fish Oil. My son’s psychiatrist told us about it when he couldn’ afford his meds. She suggested taking as much as 15,000 mg a day. He wouldn’t take it, but, boy, did it work for me. I suffer from extreme depression around Halloween till sometimes May, so I tried it and once I level off and felt better I cut down to about 9,000 mgs a day. I still use it anytime I have a problem.
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Feb 11, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Wow BP Kids, I’m really glad you chimed in with that experience. Until now, I was beginning to wonder if anyone’d tried the stuff at all or if all the research I’d been reading was made up, haha. I’m also really glad it works for you. :)
I opted for the flaxseed as opposed to the fish oil because of my vegetarianism. The component we want out of this is the Omega-3 fatty acids, and I read that flaxseed oil is an alternative to fish oil for vegetarians - so, I hope the flaxseed oil works as well for me as the fish oil does for you!
Question - You said that you still use the fish oil anytime you have a problem. Does that mean you don’t take it everyday?
Christian Sawyer
Mar 14, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Alicia
I just started The Flaxseed theraphy in addition to my Lithium and Effexor, WOW!
I noticed a calming affect with in 24 hours. Your discription matches mine. The funny part is I was doing this to promote good health. My wife and I decided it was time to be more serious about taking a daily Multi-Vit.
Then after the second day I was noticing some positive changes in my mood. So this afternoon I have been researching the history of natural treatments. Then I came across your post and I had to smile and make a comment. I have had a very successfull ride with Lithium and Effexor. Im always researching and open to new therapy’s. I just happen to fall into this one by accident. Im still a bit blown away by the results. Like you though I am taking it one day at a time. Im hoping it will work in place of Effexor. I take Effexor more for anxiety. I dont get deppressed. The Lithium/Effexor combo has kept me very balanced but I do have some side affects from Effexor. I have no plans to change my meds but I am open to it if I can find the time to be closely monitored. I do wonder if my med combo with the Flaxseed is what is making the diffrence??? Where would I be if I removed the Effexor and replaced it with Flaxceed oil?
Has anyone read of anyone dropping there main meds and moving over to this natural theraphy? Im glad I stummbled into your mental health notes.
Cheers
Christian
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