What the medical industry may not understand about the underlying root causes of mental illness symptoms, and why these underlying issues get blamed on “it’s because of your genes.”

If not interested in mental health, scroll down to the carbohydrate-ketogenic section to learn a couple of new things about seed oils.

What the medical industry may not understand about the underlying root causes of mental illness symptoms, and why these underlying issues get blamed on “it’s because of your genes.”

If not interested in mental health, scroll down to the carbohydrate-ketogenic section to learn a couple of new things about seed oils.

person in anguish

A personal experience to show you just how mind-controlled the mental health system is.

Recently, someone I know admitted themself to an inpatient facility and, after a 72-hour hold, was held there for an additional 6 days until the insurance company declined payment for a more extended stay.

The story goes that he wanted to leave sooner, but the facility refused, stating that he was not stable enough to be discharged. Then suddenly, the next day, it appears he “was stable enough”, when the insurance company declined further payments.

He entered without medications or a diagnosis.

He left there with a diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorder and was placed on 7 psychiatric medications, including Risperidone.

His situation is complex, including a dysfunctional upbringing.

Included in that upbringing was a lack of homemade healthy meals and family-centered meals. Others may not consider this a vital factor, but it may play a significant role from both a nutritional and psychological perspective.

When I was growing up, family-centered meals were the norm; however, that's not the case today.

Additionally, he has sustained several head injuries. He has been abusing alcohol and drugs in the past several years, including a legal one that I will discuss in more detail later in a follow-up post, since I think many people are unaware of its usage and risks with teens and young adults.

I offered to assist based on the lens through which I look and try to examine possible root causes, in addition to the issues he needs to address with his family history and addictions. I asked about the lab tests that were conducted so I could see what biomarkers the facility had examined. I was able to have him tell me about a couple, but it was all halted due to others becoming upset that he was seeking my help.

Others said the same old westernized myth that he has a chemical imbalance and that he doesn’t need to know what is causing his symptoms, just that he needs to get better.

This 2022 systematic review concluded:

The main areas of serotonin research provide no consistent evidence of there being an association between serotonin and depression, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations. Some evidence was consistent with the possibility that long-term antidepressant use reduces serotonin concentration.

Much like this false low serotonin-depression hypothesis, many people falsely believe that all mental illness is a chemical imbalance or due to their genes. Yet, a quick search in the literature reveals that triggers are multifactorial, including trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, and head injuries. All of which can be addressed to resolve the symptoms.

But another search indicates that bipolar disorder is not curable.

Is that true, or is it true because no professional works with the patient to address the underlying root causes?

In this post, I will highlight some root cause examples that may help explain how a lack of understanding of root causes can lead one to think in simplistic terms, attributing problems to genetics.

We hear this all the time. Heart disease. Dementia. Cancer. Even autism. It is in the person’s genes.

Will a psychiatrist help you get off your mind-altering medications?

His family said the psychiatrist reassured all of them that he would be off all the medications in 6 months.

They fully believe this.

Here are the questions they need to ask that psychiatrist:

How many patients have you gotten off all of their mind-altering medications?

How much training have you received in drug tapering protocols?

A psychologist's job is to put all the symptoms into boxes with labels, then slide their finger across to the box next to it listing the drugs of choice. Their job depends on the patient taking medications. Otherwise, there is no reason to continue to see a psychiatrist.

Mind you, the labels that people love to identify with are not scientifically supported at all. I encourage you to watch this presentation to understand that the foundational Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is based on opinion rather than scientific research.

If someone wants to identify with something, they should identify with their symptoms and keep track of them so that a qualified root-cause specialist can determine what is causing the symptoms. This allows the underlying dysfunction to be addressed, and yes, what is causing the mental health symptoms does matter a great deal.

But society is trained to focus on feeling better with a cocktail of drugs instead, and blaming their labels for all their woes in life.

The one drug I do know this person is taking is Risperidone. With just this drug, there are 79 serious drug interactions and 454 interactions that need to be monitored closely.

When taking Risperidone, agitation is an adverse effect that can occur in 20-25% of individuals. What does this mean? Can the agitation lead to violent, suicidal, and homicidal thoughts?

However, further down the list, aggressive reaction is listed as occurring in 1-5%, and then agitation is listed again as less than 4%.

The list of side effects is very long. Add to that the lists for the 6 other drugs. What could happen? Additionally, some drug side effects may never resolve for a person who does eventually get off this drug.

Additional questions to ask the psychiatrist:

Why am I taking so many medications, and what is the purpose of each one?

Can I see the studies that show taking these medications in conjunction is safe?

He was offered a 30-day inpatient program.

Now that he is on medications, he needs supervised time while on them. He has also been abusing drugs, and the 30 days would be a time to get clean.

Purely from a nutritional perspective, I guess that these facilities offer starchy, high-calorie, nutrient-deficient foods, as they are easy to prepare in bulk and are low-cost options, such as pasta and sauce, pizza, bread, muffins, and breaded or fried foods. However, I could be wrong. However, if I am correct, these foods will in no way support improved mental health outcomes.

Even if I were to help him, I could not if he lied and continued with the drug and alcohol usage. This is key! I think so many people with mental illness do not get the help they need because of the drug/alcohol abuse or the inability to follow any wellness plan due to erratic behaviour.

Add to that a cocktail of drugs that can induce cravings, lethargy, insomnia, anxiety, and agitation, and it is understandable why using a holistic approach is challenging.

The mental health medical model is a profit-driven model, designed not to promote overall well-being. This is no different than the rest of healthcare in the U.S.

The Paul Harvey brief speech If I Were the Devil from 1965, clearly explains that much of what we are seeing is by design, with prescribed drugs as part of that plan.

I want to shift gears to focus on bipolar, potential root causes, and contributing factors.

If you or anyone you know has any mental health labels or symptoms, please save these root causes. A root cause can manifest in various ways, both physically and mentally.

This is part 1.

Follow-up parts will address an overlooked health condition that you probably have never heard of, and a legal, dangerous, highly addictive compound sold at gas stations.

Psychosis, brain lesions, previous head injuries, and Lyme disease.

MedScape posted a study review on the findings of brain lesions in people with psychosis.

1156 people were enrolled in the study with lesions. Of that, it was determined that 153 had lesions that were causing psychosis.

It was noted that:

In an independent cohort of 181 patients with penetrating head trauma, lesions associated with psychotic symptoms demonstrated significantly similar connectivity profiles to the lesion-derived psychosis circuit.

That above comment is vital.

Upon intake, is the patient asked about previous head injuries? If they say yes, how is this addressed?

I can tell you from personal experience, 15 years ago, with our son’s depression, one month post head injury, the only thing the psychiatrist noted was that some antidepressants may be safer than others in that case. The psychologist did not address it at all, and the PCP just said wait for the depression to pass, and then he can give him Acutane (for acne, which has depression as a side effect).

Thus, from my perspective, the medical establishment has no clue how to address post-concussion syndrome.

Head injury protocols

Holistic professionals have quite a few tools in their kit to address the effects of head injury. In previous substacks, I shared a head injury protocol. Here are Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the head injury series.

Additionally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be helpful for bipolar disorder and head trauma. This noninvasive treatment involves breathing in 100% pure oxygen while in a pressurized chamber. This increased amount of oxygen can be transported through the bloodstream to damaged tissues, facilitating the healing process. Ken Stoller, MD, uses HBOT in practice and states that it can significantly increase mitochondria production, but notes at the 31-minute mark in this interview that one should be tested for Lyme disease first, as one may associate spirochete die-off with an adverse reaction to the HBOT.

Stoller, interestingly, has observed that reports of the states with the highest rate of schizophrenia also have the highest rate of Lyme disease. Lyme disease, which can cause neuroinflammation, has been referred to as “the mimicker of all other diseases.“

In the Stoller interview with Dr. Paul Thomas, he did not mention the type of Lyme testing. To rule out Lyme disease in individuals with mental illness, the Lyme Borrelia Direct Detect-Nanotrap urine test may be a more sensitive option that can identify cases missed by conventional blood tests.

Lyme disease and bipolar disorder

An AI overview had this response:

Lyme disease can mimic bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include anxiety, depression, bipolar and other mood disorders, dementia, suicidal thoughts, rage, brain fog, and sleep issues.

What if you have Lyme disease, are unaware that you do because no one is looking properly for it, and then get pregnant? A mother can transmit Lyme disease to her child during pregnancy.

There have been no reports that the CDC noted that Lyme is passed to an infant during breastfeeding. They make this assumption based on women who are undergoing antibiotic Lyme treatment. What about women who are not undergoing treatment?

The CDC only states there are no reports of Lyme spread via breastfeeding. Shouldn’t they cite studies and research? When they say “no reports,” what comes to my mind is that a medical professional would have to report the finding, much like they would have to report a vaccine injury. Thus, in this case, there may be a great deal of underreporting.

This is one example of how genetics can be blamed. The mother may have mental illness symptoms due to an underlying infection, such as Lyme, which gets passed on to a child, who may later in life present with the same symptoms.

What else gets overlooked and instead gets blamed on genetics?

A baby’s inherited microbiome

I will keep this section brief, as I know my readers are well-informed about gut health and the gut-brain axis. Our microbiome and gut permeability can be disrupted for various reasons, including dietary factors, stress, trauma, and numerous environmental influences. The quality of a baby’s microbiome is dependent upon that of the mother. There is also evidence to suggest that this is a multigenerational problem. The grandmother’s microbiome influences that of her child. In turn, that daughter’s microbiome will affect the microbiome health of her child.

In a recent study, researchers found that 24% of infants born in the U.S. have no detectable levels of Bifidobacteria. Not only is this genus essential for a healthy gut, but it also plays a crucial role in producing essential vitamins, including riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin K.

Now imagine a child born without Bifidobacteria, consuming a formula containing sugar and chemicals, followed by a diet lacking essential nutrients. The deficiencies will increase, and gut health will continue to decline.

Again, AI has confirmed my suspicions, stating.

The gut-brain axis plays a significant role in bipolar disorder. Research suggests that changes in the gut microbiome can influence mood and potentially contribute to the development or progression of bipolar disorder.

Once again, we can see how genes may get blamed. Assuming the child has a mental illness, because the mother has one too. Can you see how the inherited cycle of poor gut health can affect human behavior and mood?

Thyroid disorders and total cholesterol

Running the right lab tests is critical in the case of mental illness symptoms, but it is rarely done. Biomarkers can tell us a great deal. In the individual’s case that I shared at the start of this post, I was able to get information on a few biomarkers. They looked at thyroid-stimulating hormone. They did not conduct a comprehensive thyroid panel, which they should have done; however, the TSH in this case was revealing and warrants further investigation. Regardless, a full thyroid panel should be examined.

This person’s TSH was 0.508. In westernized medicine, the TSH range is 0.40 to 4.50 mlU/L. For functional ranges, the values are 1.00 to 2.00. The allopathic averages are based on the averages within the population. Take a look around you. Do you want your health markers to be those of the surrounding population? Probably not. Functional ranges are optimal ranges.

The sub-optimal TSH explains why the total cholesterol is also low at 137. The functional range for TC is 160-199 mg/dL; however, based on my readings, I believe 160 is still too low, as is 199. Still, Western medicine has a TC range of 125-200. Research suggests that dipping below 160 can lead to mental health issues.

When the thyroid is in overdrive, a hyper state, the body will remove excess cholesterol at a quicker rate. Thus, people with hypothyroidism will have higher TC numbers because the body’s processes have slowed down. In the hyper state, BP, pulse, and blood sugar can all increase.

A 2021 study's findings concluded that thyroid function was abnormally higher in the manic state as compared to the bipolar participants in the depressive state.

When I searched for Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism) misdiagnosed as bipolar, the AI overview indicates that yes, Graves' disease can be misdiagnosed as bipolar due to overlapping symptoms.

This is very frustrating to me, when I can see two lab markers for this individual that suggest further exploration with a full thyroid panel, including thyroid receptor antibodies (Graves’ disease).

Additionally, a low total cholesterol, even without thyroid dysfunction, can contribute to a host of mental health symptoms. Low cholesterol can contribute to impulsive behaviour, depression, aggression, and suicide. A low TC was found to be more common in acute mania than in acute depression. In this person’s case, the TC would have to drop another 12 points for it to be flagged by allopathic medicine. I am deeply frustrated that I can see some potential root causes that are being ignored, and thus, they are likely to worsen.

Thyroid autoimmune conditions do have a genetic component. Add to that the misdiagnosis or the time it takes to get a correct diagnosis. Once again, an inherited predisposition to thyroid dysfunction can mimic mental health issues and be blamed on inherited mental illness.

Carbohydrates versus a ketogenic diet for recovery

Regarding diet, the research is conflicting, with some studies indicating that a ketogenic diet can be harmful and that a carbohydrate-rich diet is beneficial. In contrast, small studies on the ketogenic diet indicate symptom improvement.

Dietary studies are challenging. Many people do not adhere to the diet, and since it cannot be a blinded study, it is best to take any dietary research findings with a grain of salt. They will have numerous limitations.

There is a small amount of research on the ketogenic diet for mood disorders, including this pilot study in which 14 of the participants who were diagnosed with either bipolar or schizophrenia were fully adherent to the diet for 4 months. Self-reported benefits included improved sleep, energy, mood, and quality of life.

Additionally, a ketogenic diet is beneficial for head injuries. It is thought that the diet provides an alternative source of glucose, which is often impaired after a brain injury, and thus assists in resolving the energy crisis and oxidative stress triggered by the neurometabolic cascade of the head trauma.

A ketogenic diet consists of low-carb intake, typically in the range of 10-20 net grams of carbohydrates daily. Fat intake can be high, accounting for approximately 70-80% of caloric intake; therefore, healthy fat intake is crucial.

A ketogenic diet may be beneficial in these instances for several months; however, it is recommended to work closely with a nutritionist or other qualified professional.

Still others caution the use of a ketogenic diet for mental health symptoms since the brain relies on whole food carbohydrates such as beets, berries, and sweet potatoes to prevent brain deterioration resulting from low glucose levels in the brain.

A ketogenic diet may be beneficial in the short term, such as 3 to 6 months with monitoring, and then a gradual transition can be made to incorporating whole food, grain-free carbs.

Since a ketogenic diet is high in fat, it is crucial not to fall into the pitfalls of seed oil.

I was watching this presentation recently by Anthony Gustin, D.C., on seed oils, and two things I learned from his presentation were:

• Seed oils have a half-life of 680 days. The more seed oils you consume, the more you store in your fat tissue, and this can remain stored for anywhere from 2 to 5 years, according to Gustin.

• When eating out, choosing conventional beef may still be the preferred option over even organic and pasture-raised chicken or pork. Even though the feed may be organic, it will typically contain seed oils. (I can attest to this as I use New Country Organics soy-corn-free chicken feed, but the ingredients contain safflower oil.) Thus, these animals still contain high amounts of linoleic acid (LA). Wild salmon, tilapia, and shrimp are lower in LA compared to farmed fish. He mentions that oysters, regardless, are a great choice with 0.2% of LA.

  Here is the part I did not know: grass-fed and grain-fed cattle will have very similar amounts of LA content, as they have multiple stomachs that allow them to break down the LA. This applies to all ruminant animals, which have multiple stomachs. Chickens and pigs have one stomach. So, pass on the chicken and pork and opt for the beef instead.

Summary

This post highlights a few of many possible root causes not only for bipolar but for all mental illness labels. It also includes a dietary approach that may reduce mental illness symptoms.

If you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one and rely on the mainstream health system, you will go down the path of a long-term potent drug cocktail and possibly years of talk therapy, identifying as a victim of your diagnosis.

We need more holistic in-patient and out-patient sites that will also accept insurance and seek out supplemental private funding or donations.

Imagine an inpatient facility where individuals receive functional testing that is reviewed alongside an action plan by trained functional specialists.

Add to the mix a whole-foods diet, education about diet, sunshine, meditation, breathwork, and bodywork.

Then compare the outcomes to those of a standardized mental health inpatient facility.

Mental healthcare must be reformed.

In upcoming related parts to this post, I will share a concerning legal drug and a condition that can impact mental wellbeing, that allopathic medicine will never test for.

My earlier posts may not accurately reflect my current views, as I have since questioned much of what I learned about health and the world around me.

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