An Integrative Approach to Bipolar Disorder

Living with bipolar disorder can feel like a rollercoaster—emotional highs, depressive lows, and everything in between. While medications like mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are often used for managing symptoms, they are only one piece of the puzzle. In my practice as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I take an integrative psychiatry approach, which means looking at the whole person—not just the diagnosis.

What Is Integrative Psychiatry?

Integrative psychiatry blends the best of conventional psychiatric treatment with evidence-based holistic care. This includes nutrition, lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, supplements, mind-body practices, and a close look at underlying medical issues that can impact mood.

A Whole-Person Approach to Bipolar Care

When working with patients with bipolar disorder, we explore:

• Nutrition and gut health, since inflammation and blood sugar swings can affect mood stability.

• Sleep and circadian rhythms, which play a crucial role in regulating mood episodes.

• Stress and trauma history, which can shape how symptoms show up and how we respond to treatment.

• Lab testing, to rule out hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies (like B12 or D), or thyroid issues.

• Therapies that work with the nervous system, such as mindfulness, yoga, or EMDR, when appropriate.

The goal is to build a personalized care plan that supports both brain and body—improving not just symptom control, but long-term quality of life.

If you're living with bipolar disorder and looking for a more comprehensive, collaborative approach, integrative psychiatry may be a path worth exploring. You're more than a diagnosis—and your care should reflect that.