Diane Ellis has been taking medication for bipolar disorder for almost 19 years. Distraught most of the time due to the crippling nature of the illness, which engulfs one in a cycle of depression and mania / hypermania, there is now hope for Ellis. She is set to become one of the first recipients of poop therapy, a unique treatment for bipolar disorder, launched by a Canadian doctor, Dr. Valerie Taylor.
There were days when depression made it difficult for Ellis to get out of bed, and other days, the fainting spells (associated with the mania phase) plagued her. Hoping that the good gut bacteria treatment will be effective, Ellis looks forward to the day when he will not need medication to deal with the defect, when his body develops the ability to take care of itself.
Another Australian woman, who experimented with the same treatment under the expert guidance of her therapist, said it worked wonders. On her blog, Jane Sullivan, who underwent FMT (fecal microbiota transplantation) from her husband in 2016, said that she felt better after three months of treatment and that she no longer needs medications, the standard is antidepressants, for the disorder that is considered as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. However, medical advice cautions against self-medication through FMT, as one cannot be aware of the type of infection one may have without the help of an expert.
FMT therapy
For many patients living with bipolar disorder and going through excruciatingly painful cycles of mania and depression, FMT can be a blessing. The premise of therapy is quite simple. First, the existing gut bacteria are removed by a procedure similar to colonoscopy. Subsequently, fecal transplants from healthy samples, that is, patients who have not been diagnosed with bipolar, are implanted in the colon of the people who require the intervention. The treatment has also been used to treat intestinal infections, intestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, and even autism.
For Dr. Taylor, the realization that gut microbiomes could be helpful came when two of her bipolar patients showed a positive response to antibiotics. However, once the antibiotic treatment was stopped, the symptoms of bipolar disorder returned in force. Although Dr. Taylor believes that the new treatment is ready to use, there are many interested parties. A two-year study with more than 60 FMT patients worldwide is also in preparation.
Gut bacteria and mental health
The human intestine contains a large number of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, collectively called the microbiome, which play an important role in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Of these, bacteria have a critical role to play. Labeled as good bacteria, these not only facilitate the digestion of food, but also play an important role in controlling inflammation and keeping the immune system in good condition. Gut bacteria are also believed to play a crucial role in anxiety, autism, depression, and other brain disorders.
However, the role of bacteria in triggering or suppressing the condition is still a mystery. Therefore, although there is much talk about the FMT treatment modality and a healthy gut is a precursor to a healthy brain, complex medical disorders such as bipolar disorder are best treated with means backed by solid scientific evidence, such as psychotherapy, support groups, cognitive behavioral disorders. therapy and the like. In certain cases, when medications such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and SSRIs are not enough to curb depression or mania, and the individual is increasingly delusional or hyperactive, hospitalization may be required before the person suffers. some damage.
Finding help for bipolar
Recently, many celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Demi Lovato, and Catherine Zeta Jones, opened up about their struggles with bipolar disorder, helping to deal with the stigma associated with the condition. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are bipolar. Bipolar disorder is certainly not the end of the journey called life. It could be the beginning of another more beautiful and meaningful journey, as long as someone seeks treatment at the right time and in an appropriate facility, perhaps one of the best. bipolar disorder treatment centers in California.