Zyprexa (olanzapine) is a medication often used to treat bipolar disorder, and can also be used for schizophrenia and acute manic episodes. This medication can be helpful for reducing severe symptoms, but it may not be necessary for everyone. Many people who are taking Zyprexa or similar medications, such as Abilify or Seroquel, may be able to taper off under the supervision of a naturopathic physician who has expertise in psychiatric conditions.
Potential side effects of Zyprexa
People taking Zyprexa run the risk of developing potential health problems including high blood sugar (which can progress to diabetes), high cholesterol and increased risk of death from stroke. There are multiple side effects from Zyprexa which can be troubling for some patients, such as weight gain, difficulty concentrating and increased fatigue.
Zyprexa increases GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) activity and decreases the activity of serotonin and dopamine. For people with depression, but not mania, this can cause a feeling of dulled emotions and even lower motivation. Most people with depression already have weight gain and fatigue, and don’t need to increase those symptoms with a drug like Zyprexa.
Natural Alternatives
You may feel like you need a drug to control your symptoms. However, I have used individually prescribed homeopathic medicines to completely control the symptoms of severe depression, bipolar disorder, and debilitating anxiety or depression. Homeopathic medicine works with your body to balance your neurotransmitters and improve your mood. Homeopathy can also safely treat physical symptoms, whether these symptoms are related to your mood disorder or another health condition. Many patients also benefit from specific nutritional or botanical medicine protocols to improve health.
The first step in successful treatment of any health concern is a proper medical diagnosis. Many people may have been told that they have bipolar disorder, depression, or another illness, but there is in fact an underlying nutritional or hormonal imbalance causing their symptoms. It is vital to have a complete workup and appropriate laboratory testing to rule out potential physical causes of your symptoms. With an accurate diagnosis, natural treatments can begin.
Homeopathic medicine can be used in conjunction with medications, or to help you taper off of medications safely over time. This will help to control symptoms and help you to return to a truly natural state of emotional and physical health.
