Total Health Breakthroughs: Free Natural Health Newsletter and Alternative Health Articles

Have pig farmers done for sufferers of bipolar disorder what the most brilliant medical minds have thus far failed to accomplish? If you ask 36-year-old Autumn Stringham from Alberta, Canada, you’ll probably get a resounding yes. Mental illness runs in Autumn’s family. Her mother had bipolar disorder for years and committed suicide at age 40. Her grandfather took his life years earlier with the same illness.

Married at 18, Autumn was soon pregnant with her first child and in a deep depression. She emerged, only to turn manic, paranoid, and obsessed with the urge to stab herself in the belly. She gave birth to a healthy son, but by age 20, she too was hospitalized with bipolar disorder and began taking a five-drug cocktail of anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and anti-anxiety medications. Still, she was barely functioning and taking care of her child.

As Autumn continued her struggle with bipolar disorder, her 15-year-old brother Joseph began spiraling out of control with bipolar-related episodes of violence, anger, and aggression. Autumn’s father, Anthony Stephan, terrified he’d lose two of his children the same way he lost his wife, began to look for help outside of traditional medications. That’s when he met David Hardy, a former biology teacher and livestock feed salesman.

When Stephan described the family’s history of mental illness and his son’s violent tendencies, Hardy made a connection. It sounded a lot like a condition seen in pigs that become hyper-irritable, hyper-active and aggressive to the point of killing each another. The farmers “cure” the disorder known as ear-and-tail-biting-syndrome by adding a vitamin and mineral formula to the animals’ feed.¹

Could the same thing possibly help his children?

The last six months our country has been on an emotional roller coaster. There have been both highs and lows, but the collective national mood increasingly seems to be one of depression and worry.

Although there are real issues that need addressing, much of the current mood stems more from perception than reality.

For example, news reports focus on layoffs and the families they affect, putting the problem front and center in our attention. However, the unemployment rate is 7.6%, which means that over 92% of us still have jobs. But because of where our focus is, the mental and emotional depression affects everyone.

In a way, the financial crisis itself makes the case for the importance of perceptions. The economy is slow so people are afraid to spend and banks are afraid to lend, which makes the economy slow, which…

…Many of us are suffering with what’s called mild or moderate depression — anything from “the blues” to a general feeling that some of the sparkle is gone from everyday life. For mild or even moderate depression, there are a number of natural remedies that are worth trying before going the pharmaceutical route.

Diet plays a crucial role in mood disorders. Research shows that foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can fight feelings of depression. Conversely, foods loaded with simple carbs can bring you down. Here’s how.

Nobody doubts the benefits of omega 3’s on heart health anymore. But these important fatty acids also affect mood and behavior. New research shows that low levels of omega-3 fatty acid can make both depressive and aggressive disorders worse

As a practicing clinical psychologist I am often astounded by how little insight people have into their emotions. For many, emotions are inexplicable and somewhat mysterious aspects of human nature. Some believe their emotions should be ignored. Others assume that by following their feelings they will find happiness, contentment and satisfaction with life.