Grab Drug Advertisements By The Pills: Lifestyle Changes And Alternative Remedies
March 7, 2008 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Grab Drug Advertisements by the Pills: Part Five
We’ve determined that most medications featured in drug advertisements are both the priciest and the newest drugs on the market, which unfortunately means you could end up emptying your pockets just to experience some pretty serious, unknown side effects.
However, there is good news. In addition to asking your doctor about cheaper prescription medications that have been around longer (and have better understood side effects), you could also ask your doctor about any lifestyle changes and alternative remedies that may provide similar management benefits and symptom relief.
For example, did you know that each of the following has at some point in time been suggested for depression and/or bipolar disorder treatment?
- Changes in diet/nutrition and exercise.
- An increase in Omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish oil and flaxseed oil).
- Joining and regularly attending support group meetings.
- Psychotherapy.
- Phototherapy.
- Acupuncture.
And those are just the simpler approaches. Other treatments alternative to prescription medications include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), cingulotomy, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). (Note that these procedures are quite a bit more…”involved,” for lack of a better word, and could actually be much pricier than even the newest prescription drugs; however, they are alternatives and the side effects are generally pretty well known.)
Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting that any of these alternatives are better than any particular medication, nor am I trying to represent myself as some kind of all-natural guru. I completely understand that there are cases in which people need prescription medication. Trust me. I’ve been there.
But I am suggesting that – if you aren’t keen on paying big bucks for a medication that may be harboring some unknown side effects – you ask your doctor about lifestyle changes and alternative remedies.
Have any of you tried making lifestyle changes and/or alternative remedies for treating mental illness? Share your story below!
Image source and owner.
One of the simplest changes is in vitamin intake, I’ve seen it work numerous times. More energy and the mood can be regulated quite well. Another is avoiding wheat products. Wheat can be very bad for an individual, as can peanuts when it comes to diet. If you know what kind of foods to avoid and which ones to eat you can improve your mood quite well.