If I currently have a psychological disorder and am on medication, should I really...

[andrew112]

If I have a psychological disorder and am on medication, should I really be fasting?

I am asking this because I believe that fasting will help in getting rid of my psychological disorder so that I will not have to be on any medication anymore. I have been wanting to go on a long water-only fast for quite some time, but my parents will not let me.

There is no science behind what I am saying, so do not ask "how would fasting cure your psychological disorder?"

[Dimond]

I know exactly what you're talking about and it can work. However, it can be somewhat tricky or dangerous to do on your own and you definitely shouldn't be on meds as that would defeat the purpose. From my research over the years, I believe any mental disorder is really a physical disorder and can be healed naturally. The problem is that there are so many remedies and every single person is different. 100% raw vegan is suppose to heal most or all illness, but again it depends on what one's health issues are. Many health problems are hidden. Tons will say they healed their mental illness on raw. Some have healed them on fasts, especially water fasts.

So the correct way would be to put together your own team of health professionals that can help you fast, while making sure there are no negative effects. Having support is very important. You can fast on your own, especially if you don't have a dangerous condition. If you want to try it yourself, I would suggest starting out slowly with a 1 day fast. Water fasts can be very hard to do so you'd want to see how your body could handle it.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by Dimond

I know exactly what you're talking about and it can work. However, it can be somewhat tricky or dangerous to do on your own and you definitely shouldn't be on meds as that would defeat the purpose. From my research over the years, I believe any mental disorder is really a physical disorder and can be healed naturally. The problem is that there are so many remedies and every single person is different. 100% raw vegan is suppose to heal most or all illness, but again it depends on what one's health issues are. Many health problems are hidden. Tons will say they healed their mental illness on raw. Some have healed them on fasts, especially water fasts.

So the correct way would be to put together your own team of health professionals that can help you fast, while making sure there are no negative effects. Having support is very important. You can fast on your own, especially if you don't have a dangerous condition. If you want to try it yourself, I would suggest starting out slowly with a 1 day fast. Water fasts can be very hard to do so you'd want to see how your body could handle it.

Well, I have already done several short-duration water-only fasts. The longest one only lasted 5 days. I just completed a one-day water fast yesterday, and then broke the fast by consuming nothing but vegetable-juices for about a half of a day; from there I went back onto my regular diet, which does not contain any processed foods, dairy, gluten or sugar. It is basically a diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, beans, mushrooms, ground flaxseeds, and oat bran (and I blend all of my food in a blender btw).

I do not have the money to hire trained professionals just for fasting. I am currently seeing two psychatrists and a counselor, but I wish that I could see someone that is experienced in holistic healing for pscyhological disorders instead of seeing the mainstream professionals. I do not agree with mainstream science at all. In fact, I do not agree with anything that is mainstream.

It is good to hear that someone does know what I am talking about regarding fasting being used to cure oneself.

[Dimond]

Originally Posted by andrew112

I do not have the money to hire trained professionals just for fasting.

When it's a matter of life and death, it's not "just for fasting". It could be the answer you've been looking for or it could have the opposite effect.

Since you've had some experience, maybe keep researching as much as you can on fasting, if you haven't done so already. If you could find a buddy, that would be great. Maybe the professionals you're working with can assist somehow? Even if they're not holistic, they can help in some ways. If they're willing without trying to talk you out of it. Basically you can tell them what your plan is and be very determined about it and say you need their help.

Woman Beat Depression w/14-day Water Fast
Fasting: Natures Cure for Depression Days
Frances Adelhardt
Depression free after 7 Liver flushes and juice fasting at Liver Flush [FAQ]

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by Dimond

When it's a matter of life and death, it's not "just for fasting". It could be the answer you've been looking for or it could have the opposite effect.

Since you've had some experience, maybe keep researching as much as you can on fasting, if you haven't done so already. If you could find a buddy, that would be great. Maybe the professionals you're working with can assist somehow? Even if they're not holistic, they can help in some ways. If they're willing without trying to talk you out of it. Basically you can tell them what your plan is and be very determined about it and say you need their help.

Woman Beat Depression w/14-day Water Fast
Fasting: Natures Cure for Depression Days
Frances Adelhardt
Depression free after 7 Liver flushes and juice fasting at Liver Flush [FAQ]

The problem is, the "professionals" that I am seeing right now think that fasting is all part of my illness. Whenever I try to tell them about fasting, they denounce it like only an idiot would fast. My parents also think that I am an idiot for fasting, and they do not believe in fasting. So pretty much, everyone is against me. It's like I am abraham in the bible and it's "everyone else's hand against my hand, my hand against everyone else's hand" when it comes to fasting and being healthy. It's like everyone wants to stop me from being healthy and achieving well-being.

[Dimond]

That sucks. I've been dealing with illness my whole life with no support and it's not fun.

People are ignorant about real health. Maybe you can print up all the internet proof and testimonials or give them books to read. Though I guess they won't bother reading it since most like to think they're right.

That's very cool that you know and have done a lot on your own. Have you checked your area for groups and events with similar people that you can get more support and info from?

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by Dimond

That sucks. I've been dealing with illness my whole life with no support and it's not fun.

People are ignorant about real health. Maybe you can print up all the internet proof and testimonials or give them books to read. Though I guess they won't bother reading it since most like to think they're right.

That's very cool that you know and have done a lot on your own. Have you checked your area for groups and events with similar people that you can get more support and info from?

I would give them proof, but they would probably say "Anyone could have written that; someone who just wants to play a joke on you could have written that just to make you think that it's true." My parents also say things like this to me all the time. I have a strong belief for alternative therapies and cures, but my parents and "professionals" are strongly against them and are not open-minded to them; they think that it is all just a big scam and that people who are just out to get your money are advocating them. IMO, my parents and "professionals" are full of ****.

I do not think that there are any people in my area that share the same beliefs and values. Atleast that is the way it seems to me.

I have Asperger's Syndrome, which makes it extremely difficult to network with others and be more social about things. It also makes me extremely rigid when around other people, and for some reason, I constantly feel like people are persecuting me. I told my counselor about this, but she seems to think that it is all in my head; my parents also think this.

[ginkgo]

Well if it is really important to you, then take the time to read my webpage about fasting and the one about healing mental problems.

It has an M.D. saying that you should never fast while on medications. Now if you can stop taking them first, then you can fast. Fasting can interact with medications. You will have to take the time to read it. It has quotes from 19 MDs and 3 of them are psychiatrists (like Dr Cott).

One of them is head of the fasting unit at the Moscow psychiatric hospital. You have to also see the page about mental problems for the full information on diet, fasting and mental problems.

One of these psychiatrists promotes an all raw diet and has written a few books on diet. On the healing webpage (not fasting one) it has a diet by a psychiatrist that is a lot less demanding than a vegetarian diet, although the more demanding ones may be more powerful.

It also has a story about a minister who was on medications for depression (he is bipolar), anxiety, skin cancer and he was dying from many physical problems. By a change in lifestyle that is described, he cured everything and likes to water ski now.

Please note that I have a post about the U.S. government fining the biggest drug company for over $2 billion. The Government Fines You as a Punishment for Doing Bad Things In this story you will see that the doctors caused many of this guys physical problems. But he is the one that listened to them. If you follow bad advice from a doctor, then you suffer not him. So my first bit of advice is take responsibility for your own life.

[Airana]

Hi andrew

I don't know how long you've been on the gluten free diet, but that's an excellent start where mental health problems are concerned.

There are many sites on the net discussing the link between poor mental health and gluten. Unfortunately I am not able to copy and paste a link to those that contain proof of studies carried out.

Gluten Free Diet Article: How Gluten Can Affect Your Mental Health

[Annya]

I'm really sad to hear about your problem. It really irks me when I hear about closed-minded health professionals. But they are not all like this, I know its a bit of a hassle but you should look for a good therapist rather than a psychiatrist, especially someone who is open-minded and well acredited. I work with doctors and medical professors and I see it all the time

Anyway, I'm quite open minded about alternative therapies but the reason many doctors or academics frown upon these therapies is because there are no research studies done to show any correlations (for most anyway) or long term effects. For example, the link you provided Airana, the first thing an academic would say would be, "there are no studies linked in the article, just a few years and doctors are supposedly quoted, how can I verify this?". The article is biased, no matter how true and relevant the information actually may be.

I do believe that food has an important part to play in mood disorders (depression, anxiety etc.) Asperger's however is related to cognition and development therefore your health care team and parents are more apprehensive about you trying any alternative therapies (probably) because its basis is more neurological than say, depression. Maybe try to persuade your parents to see a naturopath, especially if you want to stop relying on psych meds like. Talk to them honestly, as best you can, about your dilemma. As far as medication + fasting, I would strongly recommend you don't do it.

edit: also have you been given speech, language, social etc. therapy for AS?