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Holistic Treatment for Mood Disorders

Last Updated on February 13, 2023 by Carol Gillette

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr John Motl MD

Even before COVID, everyday life brought, at times, a barrage of emotions fluctuating in various degrees. One day you’re rolling along relatively well, another day you’re hit with some form of problem or bad news. However, factor in COVID and that barrage of emotions has become an avalanche of stressors, oftentimes intensified to unmanageable levels … unmanageable, that is, unless one seeks qualified help. Qualified holistic treatment for mood disorders is what you’ll find at our one-of-a-kind licensed mental health facility in Sedona, Arizona.

Bipolar Disorder

bipolar disorderSymptoms of bipolar disorder can be relieved with natural bipolar help. If you or a loved one is being told that the only treatment for bipolar symptoms is psychiatric medications, alternative bipolar help is available. We have helped thousands of people overcome mental health problems without drugs.

At Alternative to Meds Center we realize that medications are not a long-term solution. Our residential program uses drug-free corrections called orthomolecular medicine to identify the underlying cause of bipolar symptoms. Feelings of depression and anxiety or mood swings can be treated naturally. Don’t get trapped in the never ending routine of taking medications and visiting psychiatrists. We offer an alternative that will teach you to deal with your mental health symptoms naturally and sustainably.

For individuals who suffer from bipolar symptoms and have not received relief from traditional medicine, bipolar alternative treatment can change your life. At Alternative to Meds Center, we can provide you with the best available options for bipolar disorder treatment. We can additionally help you with several other life challenges, including substance abuse, depression and anxiety. If you are taking medication for bipolar and want a more natural and effective way of addressing mental health; we can help you. The underlying causes of bipolar disorder can be treated, instead of just the symptoms, and you can likely discontinue drug-based therapies for bipolar disorder.

Are you struggling with bipolar symptoms and unable to get the treatment you need from traditional medicine?

You do not have to rely on medications; there are other sustainable solutions available. Bipolar disorder is a broadly diagnosed disorder and most people who have been diagnosed bipolar may not need to take prescription medications if the underlying causes generating the symptoms can be discovered. Alternative to Meds Center combines the necessary approaches of traditional medicine with typically overlooked elements of holistic medicine, such as nutrition, counseling, and mind-body therapies. These give holistic support to the natural systems of healing in the body, which help overcome many mental and physical health issues, including mood swings, stress and anxiety.

We use safe, natural, drug free approaches to balance brain function.

One of the many treatments used for bipolar help at Alternative to Meds Center is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Research studies have shown this type of counseling to be effectual in the treatment of mood swings, manic depression, and bipolar disorder, as well as an array of other conditions. Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses negative patterns and misrepresented ways of looking at the world and ourselves. As its name implies, CBT includes two key factors: Cognitive counseling looks at how negative thoughts and cognitions add to bipolar symptoms. Behavioral therapy looks at the way one behaves and acts in situations that trigger anxiety.

Do you want to live your life in a different way, in a way you know is possible?

Individual counseling, as well as bipolar help for families and group-based therapies, can be particularly beneficial for people with this disorder; especially when used in tandem with other bi-polar treatment methods. Working with a counselor can offer an opportunity to talk about emotional lows and highs with a professional who can assist with exploring different strategies for controlling these emotions and the related behaviors. At Alternative to Meds Center, we have found that counseling helps clients to express their needs as well as understand other people’s needs. Counseling can help with recognizing the early symptoms of an emerging mood swing, so therapies may be altered or intensified to prevent declined functioning. These management methods can minimize or prevent serious disturbances.

Our objective is to show you how to be your own mental health care expert.

In drug free bipolar help, several different holistic and traditional techniques may be prescribed. Some primary techniques applied at Alternative to Meds Center include: dual diagnosis treatment ( when medication, drug or alcohol dependence is present in tandem with bipolar symptoms ), lab testing to identify the underlying causes of bipolar symptoms, dietary therapy, nutritional adjustments, supplement and vitamin therapies, acupuncture, massage, sauna, exercise, individual counseling, group counseling and educational courses. Natural substances that stabilize neurochemistry are also employed, as well as detoxification to remove accumulated environmental toxins, and comprehensive medication tapering methods to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

For each client, a customized treatment plan is created.

Factors that can cause or contribute to bipolar disorder include stress, lack of exercise, underlying medical problems, hereditary and genetic issues, blood sugar problems, environmental toxicity, inadequate diet, food allergies, hormonal imbalances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, medication, alcohol, certain foods, caffeine and cigarettes, as well as many others. Antidepressants and other medications prescribed for bipolar are unable to fix many things that may cause or contribute to bipolar symptoms. In some cases, medication can even worsen the condition of bipolar through side effects or other medication related problems. Alternative bipolar disorder help is often able to address much more than medication can.

We investigate and address any possible underlying causes of bipolar.

Eliminating chemicals like alcohol, caffeine, unhealthy food, and replacing them with supplements, vitamins, whole and healthy foods, exercise, yoga, and relaxation can help minimize bi-polar mood swings. Because of this, Alternative to Meds Center works to provide complex nutritional therapies and educate clients on how to nourish the body and brain. Extensive diet correction therapies have shown excellent long-term improvements with bipolar. Medication reduction therapy has also shown to help with long-term relief from bipolar symptoms. We are equipped to manage medication withdrawal of all types. You don’t have to keep suffering with bipolar or medication side effects. With alternative bipolar help, you can become medication free and mentally healthy.

You do not have to suffer from bipolar or medication issues any longer. We have REAL solutions.

Our goal is to provide long lasting success with bipolar support. To offer effectual, long-term bipolar help, each one of our clients is given an entirely customized therapy plan. Alternative mental health treatments for bipolar include cognitive behavioral therapies, individual and group talk therapy, exercise, diet corrections, nutritional treatments, massage, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, sauna, supplements and vitamins and lab testing to uncover any underlying issues. 24/7 care, medical attention, educational classes, a compassionate staff, luxurious residential facility, and solid aftercare programs are additionally provided to ensure that clients are able to continue the lifestyle they have created with us when they leave our care. We also offer tapering programs for Lamictal withdrawal and many other drugs. Our scientific approach to stabilizing brain function has helped thousands of people achieve mental health. Call Alternative to Meds Center to learn about bipolar disorder and how our residential mental health center provides effective bipolar treatment without long-term use of medications. Admissions counselors are here to answer your questions.

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Depression

holistic treatment depressionDepression is a pandora’s box of feelings and symptoms. In defining depression, a common thread could be any lingering or pronounced feeling ( sadness, lethargy, self-loathing, hopelessness etc ) that is related to an aversion of activity. A child, or an adult who lives on a diet of sugary, nutrient-deficient foods, may feel so lethargic as to prefer sitting immobilized in front of a screen. This may lead to the condition known as “depression” and could be labeled as such. Perhaps along with finding a satisfactory definition for the condition, we should also look a little closer at the reasons depression has become so prevalent in our modern society, in both young and old.

The front line treatment for depression treatment is antidepressants, which often cause side effects and provide inadequate relief.

It is not normal to be depressed for long periods of time, even when a past trauma is involved. We were designed to experience happiness. Our emotional brain, called the limbic, when functioning well, is made to allow us to experience life’s rewards. Often, when we are in a chronic state of depression, the limbic brain’s ability to achieve reward is compromised. It may be due to a diet that is not capable of producing mental health, lack of proper mobility and exercise, candida, even metabolic poisoning. But usually, there is a physical component that needs to be revealed and treated in tandem with the psychology.

By searching for underlying factors contributing to depression, these factors can be addressed and symptoms can be relieved using treatment without prescription drugs.

The most common causes of aversion to activity are malnutrition, physical pain, physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion, and stress. Unfortunately, the word depression has come to be used so freely and casually, that the most apparent reasons for the condition can often be completely overlooked. Instead of a rigorous search for possible environmental, nutritional or lifestyle factors, a quick trip to a doctor for treatment limited to medication is commonly resorted to with dismal results. Like a mechanic who tries to adjust the carburetor by letting air out of the tires, failure to correct the situation will occur.

The comprehensive, individualized, drug-free depression treatments we employ usually provide relief that far exceeds the benefits of antidepressants.

Perhaps it is time to take a wider look at the factors leading up to the diagnosis of depression. This is what is done at Alternative to Meds Center. Simple drugging of depression symptoms is not the most healthy treatment nor the most economical solution, especially in the long run. Years of suffering take its toll on not only marriage, schoolwork and satisfaction in day to day life, but it can also cost one their job as well as their happiness and health. If one has been unable to get a handle on depression we invite a call to any of our knowledgeable staff at the number listed on this page who will be happy to discuss a targeted plan of treatment for depression geared toward finally getting the relief that is sought. We also offer tapering programs for Paxil withdrawal and many other drugs. If you or a loved one has been unable to effectively relieve depression we invite you to call one of our knowledgeable counselors.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder is a widespread diagnosis that can typically be brought to balance naturally.

Commonly called “clinical depression” in the DSM IV psychiatric manual, or sometimes “unipolar,” major depressive disorder ( MDD ) has a puzzlingly broad set of symptoms. The most common symptoms seem to reflect any feeling which prompts an avoidance of action or social interaction.2

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder:
  • holistic treatment major depressive disorderThoughts of suicide or death that persist or recur frequently.
  • Unwanted feelings that persist such as emotional emptiness, sadness, despair, irritability
  • Loss of pleasure in activities, people, hobbies, possessions, etc.
  • Fatigue, loss of energy.
  • Slowness in speech or movement.
  • Mental fog, trouble making decisions, memory loss.
  • Changes in appetite, weight loss, or weight gain.

Broad Range of Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

The very broad diagnostic elements for MDD in medical literature can lead to hit-or-miss type treatment options. For instance, sometimes with MDD, the person overeats and gets obese, yet sometimes the person loses appetite altogether and becomes rakishly thin. Sometimes the person sleeps too much, others too little. Sometimes major depressive disorder is diagnosed after losing a spouse, sometimes nothing at all traumatic seems to have occurred before MDD is diagnosed. Sometimes a person becomes irritable and aggressive toward others, sometimes a person withdraws from others completely. Many times the person’s work performance can suffer.4,5

No wonder the surprising array of possible treatment solutions has literally exploded on the pharmaceutical roster of proffered medications. Everything from antidepressants, antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy have become the most recommended treatments by psychiatry, along with psychotherapy to combat this somewhat puzzling condition called “major depressive disorder.”

Holistic Depression Treatment vs Medication-Based

As an interesting note, more patients decide to discontinue treatment for their depression when it is medication-based due to the negative side effects than those who opt for psychological counseling or other medication-free methods of holistic depression treatment and relief.

In a Canadian meta-study, it was found that St. John’s Wort was as effective as antidepressant drugs without the side effects and that exercise also provided positive results.3

At Alternative to Meds Center, we are aware of the various problems caused by trying to fix major depressive disorder by substituting other medications produced by the pharmaceutical companies. However, where other factors leading to the depressed condition of an individual are uninspected they simply remain in place without treatment. ECT is also sometimes recommended as a treatment, which is a controversial treatment that may result in cognitive impairment and memory loss. There are safer alternative treatments at Alternative to Meds Center that don’t involve such extreme measures.2,3

Drug-Free Treatments for Depression
  • Light therapy*
  • Exercise
  • Sunshine
  • St. John’s Wort
  • Removal of neurotoxic accumulations
  • CBT, DBT, other forms of talk therapy

*The Mayo Clinic published positive results6 from tests using light therapy on SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and on some other types of depressive conditions.

It is our goal to provide effectual treatment that creates sustainable relief from the symptoms of MDD or major depressive disorder, without drugs and without harmful side effects.

We want to get the causes for a person’s depressed state discovered, and have the client suffering from major depressive disorder receive their treatment in a way that is tailored to their profile and history. We use protocols and treatments that are restorative rather than chemically or toxically harmful. We also offer tapering programs for Lithium withdrawal and many other drugs. We invite you to call us at the number on this page to speak with any of our informed and helpful staff who can answer your questions about major depressive disorder treatment, or treatment for any type of diagnosed depression in a holistic manner.

You don’t have to be alone with major depressive disorder symptoms. We invite you to call and share your struggle so we can help direct you down a brighter path with drug-free treatment.


1. “Depression: Overview.” published by NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) [Internet] N.D. [cited 2020 Sep 15]

2. Breggin, P “No One Should Be Given ECT.” published in ECT Justice [Internet] 2013 [cited 2020 Sep 15]

3. Nahas R, Sheikh O, “Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of major depressive disorder.” Official Publication of the College of Canadian Family Physicians, Journal PMCID: PMC3114664 [Internet] 2011 Jun [cited 2020 Sep 15]

4. Kessler R, Berglund P, Demier O, et al. “The epidemiology of major depressive disorder:results from the national Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R0. JAMA, 2003, 289, 3095-3105 [cited 2020 Sep 24]

5. Wang P, Simon G, Kessler RC, “The economic burden of depression and the cost-effectiveness of treatment.” Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2003, 12.22-33 [cited 2020 Sep 24]

6. “Light Therapy” Mayo Clinic [cited 2020 Sep 24]


Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

holistic treatment premenstrual syndromeIt may sound bizarre today, but in the late 1800’s opiates were used freely and extensively to treat such female ills as premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
Opium was not uncommon to have handy, and even Heroin was available without prescription and these drugs were the “drugs of choice” for what is now called PMS ( premenstrual syndrome ). Back then it was more generally for “what ails you”. Today we define premenstrual syndrome as a condition that includes symptoms of fatigue, bloating, headache, mood swings, and other undesirable feelings. Currently to treat these symptoms it is not Opium or Heroin, but Prozac that’s made freely available, with prescription of course, and other such drugs. Surely, since so much is now documented about long term ill effects from these hazardous substances, there must be a better treatment to provide relief from this suffering.

If you suffer from PMS symptoms, like cramping, headaches, bloating, irritability, you are definitely NOT alone.

Fully 80% of women experience some degree of discomfort related to their menstrual cycle. PMS has not been completely understood, but what is known is that opiate withdrawal symptoms are quite similar to PMS symptoms. Additionally, hormone changes occur in the body which give some internal signal to lower the endorphins in the body, and it is thought that these lowered endorphin levels are at least in part responsible for the headaches, cramps, and other undesirable symptoms of PMS. Often times the prescribing of psychotropic drugs like Prozac leads to further difficulties, while not correcting the parts of the problem that could have been corrected through diet change and targeted nutritional and other types of therapy.

Natural, drug-free methods can effectively relieve PMS symptoms.

If someone suffers from PMS symptoms, whether or not one has been put on heavy drugs leading to more difficulties, call us today. Ask for guidance as to what to do to solve this problem. One may wish to also discuss the options available in premenstrual syndrome treatment, which allow a safe and comfortable discontinuation of harmful and toxic drugs (like Prozac) that were prescribed for PMS.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

holistic treatment seasonal affective disorderSeasonal affective disorder is a real condition that often requires professional help; however, it can often be addressed with natural methods.
Many people during approximately one half of the year, feel as though the “winter blues” are getting them down. Much research has been done concerning the effects and symptoms that people in certain areas of the planet can feel when there is less and less sunlight throughout the winter months. Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal tells us that we aren’t just imagining these symptoms and effects. It has been studied and documented for decades now and the research tells us that this is a real phenomenon. But, what can be done about it? Are there effective seasonal affective disorder treatments?

One of the most simple treatments for SAD ( seasonal affective disorder ) is “Light Therapy”. This is a non-invasive, non harmful, series of periods sitting near a specially prepared lamp. This use of light as part of a treatment plan has been shown to effectively simulate sunshine, and can stimulate a person in a positive way. Light therapy has been shown in studies to be quite effective. However in reality, the most common treatment for SAD, unfortunately, is a prescription for antidepressants. Antidepressants have also been studied and are now shown to be very ineffective in the long run as a treatment for SAD. Other research has shown that deficiencies in vitamin D from lack of adequate sunlight can also create a detrimental effect, the symptoms of which are similar to, and often diagnosed as, SAD. This is mainly due to the seasonally shorter days and the weather which can be sunless for many days in a row if you live in certain geographic areas.

We address SAD and other conditions with investigative, drug-free, and non-invasive methods.

A person suffering from seasonal affective disorder symptoms can come to Alternative to Meds Center and have the necessary testing done to help isolate the causes for depression, especially if it seems to be seasonally related. Treatments are varied, comfortable and non harmful. Alternative to Meds Center welcomes anyone interested to call for more information on this topic. We are here to serve you as you reach for better treatment solutions for greater health and well-being.


Originally Published Dec 18, 2020 by Diane Ridaeus


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. John Motl, M.D.

Dr. Motl is currently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, and Board eligible in Neurology and licensed in the state of Arizona.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine.  Dr. Motl has studied Medical Acupuncture at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at U.C.L.A.

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Holistic Treatment for Mood Disorders
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