#114: The New Science of Brain Health (Hint: Good Things Are Coming)

FROM THIS SHOW…

What if someone said there could be an end to all mental illness? Would you doubt them, even if they were highly regarded brain specialists? Right now there is a change in the tide of mental health and the treatments that are becoming proven to make more of a difference.

As it stands, this new understanding of brain health has the potential to end the recurrent devastations of mental illness as we know it.

On today’s topic of The Bipolar Now Podcast, Mike spends time breaking down the individual components of these new scientific discoveries. And he shows how they all work together to create better brains that are more resilient to the symptoms and effects of mental illness.

Because there will come a day when the current “pills for pain” model ends, and more people will find healing, health, and maybe even happiness.

Don’t miss this very special episode!

Listen to the podcast:

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!  With every past episode at your fingertips, plus special Bonus Content with my guests, what's not to love! And if you're feeling generous, would you please leave me a review? It is a special treat to read each and every one of them. Just write about your favorite part of the show! :-) 

TAKEAWAYS

• There’s more to successful treatment of bipolar disorder than psychiatry ("allopathic" medicine). In addition to carefully and scientifically chosen prescriptions, you must work at developing your psychology (your thoughts), your social circles, and your spiritual life in order to enhance your resilience and resistance to mental illness.

• Modern psychiatry is the only clinical discipline that doesn’t actually inspect the body part, or in our case, the organ, that it is trying to treat. With recent technologies like SPECT, doctors can now take a 3D scan of your brain and see what is affecting your brain health or lack thereof.

• Never discredit the powerful role of a healthy diet in helping you maintain stability. Our bodies need to be healthy if our brains are going to have a chance at being strong. Other conditions that affect the body, like inflammation and infections, heavily influence the occurrence of mental illness. If you are declared “treatment resistant” by your doctor, it’s time to look at the brain for other causes of disease, such as past head traumas.

Lifer Discussion Guide

Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to assist you over any hurdles you may have to clear as you address your mental health. These are special conversations!

“Lifers” are people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick by you through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)

The Questions:

1) How have your treatments for bipolar disorder been helping you?

2) Does your doctor help you treat your brain health through the four circles of mental health described in this episode’s book review?

3) Which one of the four circles—biological, psychological, social, or spiritual—do you think you’d need the most help with? / Which one are you doing the best at?

4) What could you do better in your diet to make a difference in your brain health? / Do you need help in researching this for yourself?

5) Is it important to re-frame your mental health discussions around brain health instead of mental illness? / Does this help you have a better image of yourself and what you’re trying to do?

Join the Tribe!

Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!