How a Nurse with Bipolar Disorder Found Clarity Beyond Medication

Julianne Armijo is a PhD candidate, nurse practitioner, and former critical care nurse whose personal and professional journey with bipolar disorder has profoundly shaped her perspective on mental health.

Her struggles began at just 12 years old with depression, followed by years of trial-and-error with antidepressants. Instead of relief, many medications made things worse, sometimes even triggering episodes of psychosis. By her 30s, Julianne was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While certain medications provided a degree of stability, they never fully restored her quality of life.

Determined to find a better path, Julianne drew on her background in nursing to explore alternative options. She began experimenting with intermittent fasting and the ketogenic diet, an approach with a century-long history in epilepsy treatment.

Once she found solid footing on her new diet, the results were remarkable: greater stability, improved mental clarity, and a renewed sense of well-being that medication alone had never provided.

In this powerful interview, Julianne shares:

Her journey from depression and psychosis to stability with metabolic therapy
How fasting and ketogenic therapy supported her mental health alongside medication
The challenges of finding the right approach without clinical guidance
Why lifestyle changes must be part of a holistic strategy for bipolar disorder

Julianne’s journey is a powerful reminder that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Her experience shows how ketogenic therapy can unlock new possibilities in mental health, offering patients not just symptom relief, but a chance at lasting stability, clarity, and hope.

👉 If you find Julianne’s story inspiring, check out her full THINK+SMART profile: https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksm...

*(Tapering medications can be extremely dangerous and should always be done gradually with the support of a care team. Visit Inner Compass Initiative for more information on safe tapering.)
https://www.theinnercompass.org/

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #BipolarDisorder

Expert By Experience Featured:
Julianne Armijo
LinkedIn:   / julianne-armijo  

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.