Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy - The Basics

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy does not exist as a distinct therapeutic technique. The term "cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)" is a very general term for a classification of therapies with similarities. There are several approaches to cognitive-behavioral therapy, including Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Rational Behavior Therapy, Rational Living Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Dialectic Behavior Therapy.

However, most cognitive-behavioral therapies have the following characteristics:

1. CBT is based on the Cognitive Model of Emotional Response.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

2. CBT is Briefer and Time-Limited.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained. The average number of sessions clients receive (across all types of problems and approaches to CBT) is only 16. Other forms of therapy, like psychoanalysis,can take years. What enables CBT to be briefer is its highly instructive nature and the fact that it makes use of homework assignments. CBT is time-limited in that we help clients understand at the very beginning of the therapy process that there will be a point when the formal therapy will end. The ending of the formal therapy is a decision made by the therapist and client. Therefore, CBT is not an open-ended, never-ending process.

3. A sound therapeutic relationship is necessary for effective therapy, but not the focus. Some forms of therapy assume that the main reason people get better in therapy is because of the positive relationship between the therapist and client. Cognitive-behavioral therapists believe it is important to have a good, trusting relationship, but that is not enough. CBT therapists believe that the clients change because they learn how to think differently and they act on that learning. Therefore, CBT therapists focus on teaching rational self-counseling skills.

4. CBT is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client.

Cognitive-behavioral therapists seek to learn what their clients want out of life (their goals) and then help their clients achieve those goals. The therapist's role is to listen, teach, and encourage, while the client's roles is to express concerns, learn, and implement that learning.

5. CBT is based on stoic philosophy.

Not all approaches to CBT emphasize stoicism. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Rational Behavior Therapy, and Rational Living Therapy emphasize stoicism. Beck's Cognitive Therapy is not based on stoicism. Cognitive-behavioral therapy does not tell people how they should feel. However, most people seeking therapy do not want to feel they way they have been feeling. The approaches that emphasize stoicism teaches the benefits of feeling, at worst, calm when confronted with undesirable situations. They also emphasize the fact that we have our undesirable situations whether we are upset about them or not. If we are upset about our problems, we have two problems -- the problem, and our upset about it. Most people want to have the fewest number of problems possible. So when we learn how to more calmly accept a personal problem, not only do we feel better, but we usually put ourselves in a better position to make use of our intelligence, knowledge, energy, and resources to resolve the problem.

6. CBT uses the Socratic Method.

Cognitive-behavioral therapists want to gain a very good understanding of their clients' concerns. That's why they often ask questions. They also encourage their clients to ask questions of themselves, like, "How do I really know that those people are laughing at me?" "Could they be laughing about something else?"

7. CBT is structured and directive.

Cognitive-behavioral therapists have a specific agenda for each session. Specific techniques / concepts are taught during each session. CBT focuses on the client's goals. We do not tell our clients what their goals "should" be, or what they "should" tolerate. We are directive in the sense that we show our clients how to think and behave in ways to obtain what they want. Therefore, CBT therapists do not tell their clients what to do -- rather, they teach their clients how to do.

8. CBT is based on an educational model.

CBT is based on the scientifically supported assumption that most emotional and behavioral reactions are learned. Therefore, the goal of therapy is to help clients unlearn their unwanted reactions and to learn a new way of reacting. Therefore, CBT has nothing to do with "just talking". People can "just talk" with anyone. The educational emphasis of CBT has an additional benefit -- it leads to long term results. When people understand how and why they are doing well, they know what to do to continue doing well.

9. CBT theory and techniques rely on the Inductive Method.

A central aspect of Rational thinking is that it is based on fact. Often, we upset ourselves about things when, in fact, the situation isn't like we think it is. If we knew that, we would not waste our time upsetting ourselves. Therefore, the inductive method encourages us to look at our thoughts as being hypotheses or guesses that can be questioned and tested. If we find that our hypotheses are incorrect (because we have new information), then we can change our thinking to be in line with how the situation really is.

10. Homework is a central feature of CBT.

If when you attempted to learn your multiplication tables you spent only one hour per week studying them, you might still be wondering what 5 X 5 equals. You very likely spent a great deal of time at home studying your multiplication tables, maybe with flashcards. The same is the case with psychotherapy. Goal achievement (if obtained) could take a very long time if all a person were only to think about the techniques and topics taught was for one hour per week. That's why CBT therapists assign reading assignments and encourage their clients to practice the techniques learned.

The Importance of Life Balance

There are many aspects in life that you have to keep balanced in order to achieve total or overall health, security, and happiness. You need to improve each and every aspect to give your self a chance for growth and development. It is not very easy to achieve a balanced life but with enough determination and knowledge about how to do it, it is not impossible.

One of the most important area or aspect of a person's life is the body. You have to make sure that you will keep your body healthy and strong to be able to do and perform all of your duties and responsibilities. Eat a proper diet and keep your body fit by doing regular exercise or going to the gym. Aside from keeping the body healthy, these could also make you look more attractive. Feeling and looking beautiful will also contribute to the personal aspect of your life.

The personal aspect includes your emotions, feelings, and the way you think about certain things. It is advisable to always maintain a positive outlook in life. Your mind is a very powerful organ as it could control your feelings and emotions. Don't let negative feelings such as insecurity, self pity, sadness, and disappointment get the best of you. Thinking positive and being optimistic will do wonders. They will also help you achieve contentment in life that will eventually turn into happiness.

There are other aspects of life that also contribute to a person's total happiness and one of these is the financial aspect. Though it is true that money and material things should not be the focus of your attention, the fact still remains that this is very important in order for a person to survive in this world. Save money by keeping a part of your regular income or invest in something that could really return your investments. This will help give you a sense of security, peace of mind, and will prevent any financial troubles in the future.

Although your present job could give you a steady source of income, it doesn't mean that it's the perfect job for you. It is also important that you like what you are doing because this will lessen or reduce the stress level that you get and will give you the motivation to improve your work performance. If you want to expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities, you could take additional education or personality development program which is another aspect of life and life is a continuous learning process.

You should also have some time to improve your social life. Go out with your friends or spend some quality time with your family. This will somehow give you the feeling that you are being loved and that there are lost of people who love you and will always be there to support you. The spiritual aspect of your life is also important especially if you feel that you need some guidance or enlightenment during tough and hard situations.

After a long time of hard work, it is advisable to take a break and reward your self with something that could make you relax and relieve you from stress, tension, and pressure from work. You can try out new sports or start a new hobby that will match your interests. It could be any kind of fun activities that you can do by yourself or with friends and family. A balanced life can do many great things that will make you completely healthy and happy.

Pros and Cons of Mental Health Rehabilitation Services

Having a family member with mental health illness can be painful experience. Some families try not to talk about the problem hoping that it will magically disappear, it never does. However, keeping the patient's condition hidden will make matters worst and prolong recovery. If you want to help your ill family member, suggesting mental health rehabilitation could be the best decision for you and your family member. If you are at a dilemma whether or not to introduce your loved one a facility; Read below as we state some pros and cons of services to help you make an informed decision.

Pros

The mental health rehabilitation provides your patient with a professional service on how to deal with whatever problems they may be facing. With licensed practitioners on staff, you can be sure that your family member is in good hands and will receive treatments specific to their illness by trained medical professionals. By bringing your patient to the facility, this also allow you to breathe, relax and reduce the stress you may would have experienced had you not come. By knowing that your loved one is safe and well taken care of, this will give you a peace of mind.

Cons

Many people do not bring their family members in for mental health rehabilitation because of guilt. Some people feel as though bringing a loved one and leaving them at a treatment center, is like abandoning them. On the other hand, others are more concerned about the financial implications of the treatment. Rehabilitation can be very expensive, especially if you do not have the proper insurance in place. Most people just do not have enough funds to support the lodging and continuous treatment in that required for rehabilitation.

With the pros and cons provided, you can make a better decision based on your personal conviction about the case of your loved one. Whatever, your decision, be sure to think about the benefits that the mental health rehabilitation will have on your loved one.

Treatment For Extreme Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder affects about 2% of all adult individuals and comprises 20% of the population confined in psychiatric institutions. It is commonly observed during adolescence, characterized by mood instability, self-image distrurbance and emotional liability. This ailment is expected to dissolve by maturity, with effective personality development. Though borderline personality disorder is not an incapacitating mental condition, like schizophrenia, it is considered a very serious illness by most psychiatrists because of the harm an afflicted person may bring upon him or her self, during the peak of stress.

About 9 to 75 percent of those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder exhibit self-mutilation, drug addiction, alcoholism and suicidal attempts. Out of this population who practice self destructive behaviors, about 8 to 10% actually die. These alarming results prompt medical experts to address the mental ailment with effective treatments.

The first line of treatment that is recommended is psychotherapy. This helps patients learn to control their emotions, take responsibility for their lives and use positive coping mechanisms to get through challenges. Psychotherapy employs the "no-suicide" contract to lessen the possibility of deaths and at the same time, empower the patient to contradict his own despair and seek support when needed. Psychotherapy also provides an avenue for cognitive restructuring, wherein a person's negative and faulty perception of him or her self and world is corrected.

For extreme cases, hospitalization is advised. Severe depression will drive a person with borderline personality disorder to commit suicide and succeed at it. To prevent this, constant supervision and immediate medical treatment is required. Hospitals and psychiatric institutions have the necessary facilities to secure the individual's safety and health. These establishments also have adequate amounts of staff that could observe and attend to the needs of the patients, in a manner that would be most therapeutic for them.

In conjunction with psychotherapy and hospitalization, medication is given to control the destructive symptoms of borderline personality disorder and improve the person's well-being. Low doses of antipsychotic drugs are given to people with borderline personality disorder during brief psychotic episodes. Antidepressants and anxiolytics are also prescribed for treatment of specific emotional states.

With effective incorporation of all these three treatments, borderline personality disorder can be treated.

The Natural Cure For Bipolar Disorder

You Can Cure Bipolar Disorder And Reclaim Your Life.

Contrary to what the medical authorities have told us, it is possible to treat and even cure bipolar disorder. Here are three fundamental techniques to help eliminate the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Technique #1: Learn To Control Your Thinking

Although you might be taking medication to deal with your bipolar disorder right now, I promise you that 'bipolar self-help' is absolutely essential if you want to achieve freedom from your illness. Antidepressants and psychiatric care or therapy have their place, but currently there is not nearly enough emphasis being placed on the power of practicing self-help for those who want to overcome bipolar.

The most essential element of exercising self help and eventually being able to cure bipolar disorder is becoming acutely conscious of your thinking. The worst episodes always begin with small, seemingly harmless thoughts. Small thoughts in turn grow into something increasingly irrational, and soon another explosive episode is born.

Learning to control and master your thinking is an intensive process that requires tremendous self discipline and deep awareness of your personal tendencies. If you want to take the first step towards finally having the power to tame your own mind I suggest you seek the help of an alternative approach. Many people have been able to cure bipolar disorder, but it has not happened using conventional medicine. Achieving freedom from bipolar disorder is possible once you find the key for making these fundamental changes in your mood patterns and thinking.

Technique #2: Commit To Beneficial Outcomes

Perhaps the biggest tragedy of being afflicted by bipolar disorder is the frequent inability to create healthy situations and prevent destructive ones. On the contrary, when in the midst of struggling against their disease, those afflicted often bring about horrific pain, tumult, and heartache. In essence, technique #2 is simply an extension of the first technique; if you are able to exert control over the small thoughts that initially lead to irrational and poisonous emotions, you will be in a better position to commit to beneficial, healthy outcomes. Therefore it is necessary to master the thoughts that precede this eventual commitment if you are endeavoring to cure bipolar disorder. When struggling to maintain a healthy mood and rational thinking, you can simply declare within that you have firmly committed to not letting an episode flare up. In fact, you must then become unambiguously dedicated to a beneficial, non-explosive, neutral or even positive outcome.

The underlying thinking here is that you are converting what potentially began as something destructive and toxic, into what has the possibility of being a normal, safe, and advantageous result. When you are able to do this it will act as a powerful affirmation that you are much more than the chemical components of your brain - you are in control of your thinking, your moods, and your life. Believing you have control over yourself is absolutely imperative to positively affecting your reality and effectively thwarting potential episodes.

Technique #3: Use The Perspective Test

When feeling the onset of mania, the opportunity for performing a highly effective self-help test becomes crucially important. The Perspective Test consists of taking a step back from where you currently are emotionally and psychologically and evaluating the antithesis of your feelings. Therefore if you feel angry that your husband didn't clean the kitchen, imagine what it would be like to feel happy that your husband cleaned the kitchen. Although obviously not the case, and while you may indeed have valid reasons to be angry, the point with this exercise is to create massive contrast - the antithesis or opposite of what you are presently experiencing. For those who are capable of doing this, a fresh understanding of your own perspective is obtainable. It then becomes easier to resist letting the situation control you, and enables you to control your moods and thoughts irrespective of any current external factors. The main point here is that it doesn't matter if you are vindicated in feeling angry at the messy kitchen (or any other similar situation), you are choosing consciously to refuse to allow external circumstances to dictate the your inner dispositions.

Those who have a spouse or significant other who is ill with bipolar often struggle with their partner's intense rage, paranoia, jealously and other irrational and exaggerated emotions and thinking. Unfortunately the established medical community has not done enough to help the spouses and family members of those who suffer from bipolar disorder. However, there is alternative information that provides workable solutions and powerful advice for people is such situations.

Conclusion: Help Is Out There

In order to make real progress in your fight to reclaim your life and finally end the suffering of bipolar disorder it is necessary to break away from the established medical community. Although certain medications have been scientifically proven to help with anxiety, there is nothing that a medical doctor can offer you to cure your bipolar disorder. That must come from within, and it is only achievable with focussed and determined self help.

With effort and persistence, you can overcome bipolar. There is most certainly hope for living a normal life free of this illness. However this will not happen until you abandon the false belief that doctors will heal you - for clearly they can not. Sadly, doctors prognosticate a very bleak picture for bipolar patients. According to them, there is no known cure. Yet there are many people who have successfully treated bipolar by developing themselves and this has, in effect, led to being permanent cured.

In your fight to cure bipolar disorder it is imperative that you never lose hope, never give up, and actively seek out the information that provides lasting answers in order to develop a mastery of the self.

Bipolar Disorder and Chemical Imbalance Fix - Is it Possible?

What is Chemical Imbalance? Why does it happen? What can you do about it? These are the three most important questions concerning chemical imbalance theories held by many in the bipolar community and the medical profession today. Researchers have spent decades trying to get to the bottom of what causes common disorders such as anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder etc. No one seems to know the exact causes of bipolar disorder. But many believe it be some form of chemical imbalance. Certain chemicals in the brain, lead to symptoms of physical and mental distress and disturbances. While the exact link between chemical imbalance and mental health disorders, have not been found, clinical studies and medical observations have been able to define a number of chemical deficiencies that occur in individuals who report experiencing symptoms related to ADD, ADHD, SAD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

What is Chemical Imbalance of the Brain?

Common chemical imbalances related to mental or emotional health disorders such as stated above include:

• Reduced availability of neurotransmitters like Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, GABA and Acetylcholine
  


• Increased levels of neurochemicals such as Homocysteine which is very toxic
  


• Lower levels of serum Magnesium, Zinc or Potassium
  


• Deficient levels of essential vitamins like B6, B9, B12 and Vitamin-C
  


• Under supply of key co-factors like amino acids that are used to help transport neurotransmitter percursors into the blood-brain barrier
  


• Increased cortisol stress hormone levels.

Why Does Chemical Imbalance Happen?

Virtually no one has the answer to why brain chemical imbalance happens. But we do know it occurs. Ask any medical professional the reasons and causes for bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety disorders and their most likely answer would be "A chemical imbalance." It is because of this belief, of chemical imbalance, most medical professionals' first impulse is to prescribe an SSRI, MAOI or similar pharmaceutical "chemical balancer" to treat the condition. In today's world, pharmaceutical drugs play a key role in attempting to balance these brain chemicals. Most pharmaceuticals used only mask the underlying problem.

So unfortunately, in the majority of cases, the most important question has not been addressed.

What's Causing the Chemical Imbalance?

Why not look to nature for some answers to the cause of chemical imbalance to see if there is a solution there?

Nutrition:

We notice in nature that everything that grows feeds on some sort of nutrition to enhance its growth. Let's take a look at our nutrition today. Everyone one who reads about nutrition understands our food supply today simply does not provide the essential minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients they once did. How do we know? Well, let's look at the food we purchase in the local Super Mart.

I did a bit of an experiment with a bag of their vine ripen tomatoes. June 18, 2008 I dipped these tomatoes in different types of bottled, tap, and distilled waters to see what effect the water would have on the tomatoes. To my surprise 80 days later all the tomatoes (including the one "control" tomato I did NOT dip in any type of water) are still exactly the same as when I bought them from the Super Mart.

Now compare that with the tomatoes I picked from my own garden. My own garden tomatoes, if not used quickly, rotted within a week. That's because the tomatoes had live enzymes in them that supply our vitamins, trace minerals and such. The store bought tomato enzymes were killed, hence preserving the tomato, but causing it to be virtually deficient in nutrition. So it is easy to understand why the general population is lacking vital minerals, vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrient etc. Why? Because they are being wiped out in the processing plant before they hit the grocery market shelves.

Exercise:

Lack of exercise causes an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to depression. Also lack of exercise causes lack of oxygen and blood circulation which also contributes to chemical toxins and imbalances in the brain.

Water:

Today many people drink bottled water. Often times that bottled water is processed by reverse osmosis. Most people today do not realize this water is more detrimental to health than beneficial because its ph value measures 5.0. A ph value of 5.0 is very acidic causing the body's ph value to reduce considerable each time one drinks a bottle of the water. A lower ph value means trouble for your body because an acidic environment is the exact environment viruses and bad bacteria love. These unwanted viruses and bacteria result in physical and mental health diseases which cause further chemical imbalance of the brain.

Sunshine:

Lack of sunshine causes tremendous amounts of changes in the brain. For one it reduces your serotonin levels. Depletion of serotonin is considered the main neurotransmitter of depression.

Temperance:

In today's world, especially in the USA, we lack temperance. We eat too much or too little, sleep too much or too little, work and play too much or too, exercise too little or too much. We seem to lack balance. And balance is the key to a balanced life in mind, body and spirit.

Air:

Much of our air is polluted today especially in the larger cities. In seeking relief we use central air conditioning which results in positive ions being blown into our houses. If you think the air you breath has little to do with your physical or mental health, ask those whose children are suffering childhood allergies, cancers, mental health disorders and other diseases which were unheard of just a century ago.

Ever try breathing carbon monoxide? It can kill you. So with our air today as polluted as it is (and especially with central air conditioning infiltrating the very air we breath with positive ions) I believe causes many chemical changes in our bodies, minds and spirits. To maintain optimal health or bodies need to breath negative ions without residual ozone.

Sleep:

How did you sleep last night? Not everyone needs 8 hours of sound sleep but everyone needs sound undisturbed sleep! Lack of sleep causes chemical imbalances in the brain. Scientists have found people who suffer from sleep disorders produce low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine and acetylcholine.

Trust in a Higher Power:

Many do not believe in a God as the creator of the earth. Unfortunately for them. There are lots of scientific studies which advocate prayer allieveates depression. I will only quote one reference here. An article in the December 1998 issue of McCall's Magazine, notes a study done at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virgina in Richmond, studied 1,902 twins. They found that those who were committed to their spiritual lives tended to have less severe depression and lower risk of addiction to cigarettes or alcohol. The healthful lifestyles of the spiritually rich and faithful clearly contribute to their well being. It is also noted those who do not believe in a higher power suffer more frequently from depression and other mental and physical health disorders.

What Can We Do About It?

Eat more nutritious foods. Try to buy your foods directly from a farmer or at a farmers market. It would be best to purchase organic foods or try to raise some yourself. In doing so you get the extra sunshine that contributes, fresh air and magnetic energy from the earth, which helps you achieve your wellness and balance.

Get appropriate amounts of exercise. Even as little as a 7 minute walk away from the house and back again has great results in warding off depression. Exercise works against depression (caused by chemical imbalance) in a number of ways.

1. By reducing the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to depression.

2. Restores One's sound sleep - raising energy levels by releasing endorphines, which are associated with good mood AND raises serotonin levels.

Drink water that is properly balanced at 7.0 ph value. This way when drinking 8-10 glasses a day of this refreshing live water (purified and infiltrated with magnetic and infrared energy) you maintain a balanced ph. Naturopathics insist that if one maintains a proper ph balance they can not harbor any disease at the same time.

Get sufficient sunshine. Appropriate amounts of unfiltered sunshine wake up your hypothalamus giving you a wonderful sense of well being. The hypothalamus' main function is maintaining the body's status quo. Factors such as blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance are held to a precise value or regulation by the hypothalamus. If your hypothalmus is not turned on by sunlight you experience low energy and feelings of sadness which consume your thoughts causing you to drag yourself from one small task to another with Herculean effort, accomplishing little. But unfiltered sunlight turns on your hypothalamus increasing production of serotonin levels.

Maintain temperance. Even the Bible tells us too much honey turns bitter in the tummy. So temperance is the key in a balanced life.

Breathe pure live air that's filled with an active electromagnetic field. Go camping in the mountains or find a air purifying system that offers not only pure filter air but one that puts back into the air that same electromagnetic field and infra red energy that produces negative ions, all of which are present in pure clean forest air. This live air invigorates your whole body and keeps your chemicals in balance.

Get your needed ZZZ's. Learn the natural ways to sleep well at night. Get a sleep mask, that will block out light pollution. Ear plugs that block out unwanted city noises. Maybe softly tune in a wilderness cd. Get a comfortable quality pillow, your dream pillow. Sleep on a quality mattress that is known to give you the best night's sleep you have ever known AND wake up fresh and ready to start a new day without aches and pains. What a wonderful feeling that is. A good night's sleep has the opposite effect of a poor night's sleep. It produces balanced levels of the much needed neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholine.

Begin trusting in God. Prayer goes along way in making us feel connected and balanced. Experiments by water scientists show us the amazing restructure of the water molecules when blessed verses being cursed. With our bodies being comprised of 60-70% water how much then would prayer and blessings affect us in positive connective ways with the Creator of the Universe? Think about that awhile and get your chemical imbalance in balance to day.

Omega 3 and Bipolar Children - Can Omega 3 Benefit Bipolar Children?

Cardiologists from a long time have been recommending fish oils to heart patients. However, resent researches show that Fish oils, one the richest source of omega 3 fatty acids can help treat bipolar disorders as well. In this article on 'Omega 3 and Bipolar Children' we discus more on this topic.

Before understanding how omega 3 fatty acids can be beneficial for children suffering from bipolar disorders, we need to know a few basics about these disorders.

Bipolar disorders are a psychiatric condition and are also known as Manic-depressive illness. This disorder causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, behavior and thoughts. Statistics show that approx. 16% of the adolescent Western population suffers from bipolar disorders.

The good news is that such disorders can be treated through the regular consumption of fish oils. Studies on Omega 3 suggest that the intake of fish oil stabilizes mood swings and improves hyperactive behavior.

Fish oils are a rich source of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the two most essential omega 3 fats.

Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are good for our body. They activate the secretion of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that play a variety of roles in our body. Prostaglandins are responsible for muscle contraction, hormone regulation, controlling the reflexes, reducing inflammation and more.

DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is known as the building block of brain and it is the main component that forms brain cells. EPA or Eicosapentaenoic acid is solely responsible for controlling the reflexes or communication between the nerve cells and the brain.

Lack of any of these fatty acids can result in various mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, ADD and Bipolar disorders.

The general treatment for these disorders includes anti-depressants, mood-stabilizing drugs that are commonly prescribed for adults. These drugs provide only symptomatic relief and have various side-effects such as weight gain, acne, dehydration etc.

Research on Omega 3 and Bipolar children show that omega 3 supplements have a very positive impact on children suffering from these ailments. To test the relationship between the two, certain experiments were conducted on 100 children suffering from bipolar disorders.

It was concluded that children who were given omega 3 supplements regularly showed 67% improvement in their behavior and mood than children who were given the regular dosage of mood-stabilizing drugs.

The dosage of fish oils depends upon each individual's body chemistry and extent of nutritional imbalance. However, one thing is sure, regular consumption of omega 3 fatty acids does improve mental as well as physical health.

If you want your loved ones to live a healthy and long life, include more omega 3 supplements in the daily diet. Purchase pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oils for remarkable health benefits.