Dear Dr. Respler,
My wife alerted me to your July 17 column, hoping that my experience would prove instrumental in helping the young man described in it.
I am 60 years old, and have suffered from Manic-Depression for the past 20 years. For the first year, I was forced to take a good dose of medication. Then I found a holistic doctor who treated me for food allergies and mercury poisoning which greatly reduced my dependency on drugs. Later on we discovered that my illness stemmed from an earlier toxic exposure to chemicals, which when combined with the mercury exposure triggered my Bipolar symptoms. However, as time went by I became more dependent on drugs.
Four years ago I was introduced to a holistic psychiatrist who promised to wean me off all of my medications – and he did. It took about three years, but today I am healthier, more stable, revived physically and much more personable. It wasn’t easy and took a lot of dedication and perseverance, but I have no doubt it has added years to my life and made it much more fulfilling.
Based on my experience, I have on occasion counseled other people suffering from mental illness and steered them in the right direction. Mental illness does not always mean there is a defect in the brain, as evident from your letter-writer. He is clearly intelligent and responsible. A great portion of mental illness stems from a defect in the body. Usually it’s a result of digestive irregularities that prevents food from being digested properly, which can cause food allergies. In addition, heavy metal and chemical poisoning can disrupt the balance in the body and brain. The psychiatrist I see uses physical treatments and supplements to heal the body from its ailments, eventually curing it and the brain from disease. It’s not a magic pill, but takes time and work.
Unfortunately, conventional psychiatrists are unfamiliar with this skill, and treat patients with drugs, which can worsen the condition and do have harmful side effects.
To solve your reader’s problem: It seems to me that he has the beginnings of Manic Depression, which if left untreated will only worsen. However, since he has not begun taking medication, it would be very easy for him to cure himself. I would suggest that he see a naturopath to discover if he is suffering from food allergy. After getting cured, he can pursue a shidduch without any guilt feelings. Of course he can also benefit from therapy. In the meantime, he can try abstaining from gluten and dairy to see if it makes a difference in how he feels. Most patients have a sensitivity to certain foods.
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
Thank you for taking the time to write to us and for sharing your contact information, which I will forward to the original letter writer if he wishes.
While holistic medicine is outside my field of expertise, my husband is a urologist and does use holistic measures in some of his treatments. I am impressed that you were able to get off your psychotropic medications and are functioning well today.
I hope our readers will explore all options open to them in regards to treatment for psychological issues. Hatzlocha!