Bipolar Disorder: The Integrative Mental Health Solution

Integrative mental healthcare:
•is a person-centered approach that emphasizes maintaining optimal health and wellness
•takes into account the symptoms, preferences and circumstances of each unique person
•focuses on treating symptoms not disorders
•uses conventional mainstream approaches like medications and psychotherapy, and complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies like herbal medicines and acupuncture
•uses the best available research evidence to develop an individualized treatment plan

Bipolar disorder: The Integrative Mental Health Solution
is filled with practical information about safe, effective and affordable treatments including:
•herbals, vitamins and other natural supplements
•whole body approaches
•meditation and mind-body practices
•light, sound and other established energy therapies
•subtle energy therapies

Bipolar disorder: The Integrative Mental Health Solution will help you
•Understand bipolar disorder better
•Take inventory of your symptoms
•Learn about a variety of non-medication approaches for treating bipolar disorder
•Develop a customized treatment plan that makes sense for you
•Re-evaluate your treatment plan and make changes if your initial plan doesn’t work

Treatment approaches are summarized in easy-to-read bullets so you can easily find key information on a variety of treatment choices, including:
•Name of treatment and category (biological, whole-body, mind-body and energetic)
•How the treatment works (comments on the mechanism of action where known)
•Dosages (for natural supplements) or frequency or duration of use to achieve beneficial effects (for whole body, mind-body or energy approaches)
•Examples of safe and effective combinations with other treatments
•Comments and warnings about adverse effects and particular treatment combinations that may be unsafe and should be avoided
•Duration of treatment needed to achieve beneficial results (where known)

"This brief manuscript from Dr. Lake presents important adjunctive treatments for a disabling mental illness that affects approximately 5.5 million American adults each year. Bipolar Disorder is often misdiagnosed and treated almost exclusively with multiple psychotropic medications. Many patients often stop taking medications due to the vast array of undesirable side effects brought on by the medications meant to provide relief from their symptoms, resulting in uncontrollable mood swings and impaired function. While many of the resources currently available describe pharmacological strategies for treating Bipolar Disorder, Dr. Lake offers a refreshing approach that focuses on non-medication approaches and adjunctive treatment methods including herbals, vitamins and other natural supplements, whole body and mind-body approaches, and energy therapies.

Dr. Lake provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the therapies available for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. Dr. Lake also shares examples of safe and effective combinations and dosage recommendations based on evidence-based research. This book will benefit patients and professionals seeking guidance on how to implement integrative therapies as adjunctive or stand-alone treatments for Bipolar Disorder."

James M. Greenblatt, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Services, Walden Behavioral Care, Waltham, Massachusetts

"This resource provides helpful information for anyone trying to find credible solutions for bipolar mood concerns. Dr. Lake is a world class expert on this topic and he supplies just what you might hope for: comprehensive tools, ratings to help sort through the science and practical advice about how to get better. Highly recommended."

Scott Shannon, MD author of Mental Health for the Whole Child.