People who are depressed and bipolar will self-medicate to keep depression at bay, but this actually only pushes depression back temporarily. When it returns it can feel even worse, and will sometimes result in a suicide attempt or, in some instances, a successful suicide.

Obviously, self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol doesn't work. It doesn't get rid of symptoms of bipolar disorder, and in many cases they actually make characteristics of an episode much worse, causing extremes to be more violent or explosive.

If you don't believe this, take a look at some examples of individuals who were not properly medicated who ended up in extremely bad situations. Some actual stories can be found at http://www.leverageteamllc.com/bipolarnews19/ . These include one where a woman in Palm Desert, CA ran over a man she referred to as, "road kill," during a manic episode. In other stories, two unrelated shootings (one in Portland, ME and other in Philadelphia, PA) were both tied to bipolar sufferers who weren't properly medicated.

Please don't take your situation into your own hands - you'll be gambling with your own life and life of others. Self medicating isn't answer. A licensed, professional doctor's supervision and prescription medication is only way to adequately control bipolar disorder effectively.

Benefits of Ylang Ylang: Ylang Ylang is a calming, soothing essential oil that helps alleviate stress. It also helps high blood pressure and decreases nervous tension. Is an excellent balancing oil for oily or dry skin. Ylang ylang has been reputed to stimulate hair growth and is a natural conditioner. Julia Lawless, author of “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils,” writes: “In Victorian age, oil was used in hair treatment Macassar oil.”

Safety/Precautions: Aromatherapy author Colleen K. Dodt wrote: “My sister found ylang ylang helpful during her pregnancy when high blood pressure threatened. The scent calmed and relaxed her, which naturally lowered her blood pressure.” As with any natural product, common sense is first defense. If you or someone you know has a strong dislike for a certain scent, then don’t use it. If concerned about safety, always check with your healthcare practitioner.

Uses for Ylang Ylang: Bath soak ~ All you need is one or two drops in your bathtub of warm to hot water and you should find yourself relaxing. Candle ~ Add a few drops to a candle, next to wick, not on it as essential oils are flammable. Ylang ylang will fill room with its exotic floral aroma and relaxation should follow. Hair ~ Add one or two drops to your hairbrush and brush your hair. Not only will it smell great, doing this helps to condition it naturally. Also, Ylang ylang is believed to stimulate hair growth.

Blending with Ylang Ylang: Ylang Ylang can greatly enhance sandalwood, rosewood, or any citrus oil such as: grapefruit, bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, petitgrain, and other florals like lavender, jasmine, tuberose and rose. To offer a marvelous contrast, use black pepper, Peru balsam, patchouli or vetivert.

Ylang ylang is a fragrant year round reminder for those of us living in colder regions. Slip away on a tropical vacation as you inhale heady floral bouquet. While not all of us can board a plane and benefit from a tropical vacation, for only a few dollars we can buy a ylang ylang scented product and transport ourselves there via imagination.