Help! Does food help mental health problems?

[GlennB]

It also alters the concentration of some medications. I know my shrink told me to avoid very high amounts of caffeine (in excess of maybe 500 milligrams on a regular basis) as it can increase the blood concentration of lithium (though I don't know if that's due to dehydration, but I don't doubt her word on it)

I worked with a (supposedly) Asperger's teenager who was on lithium. While doing some research into that drug I spotted the scary comment that the toxic and therapeutic levels of blood lithium are very close and need regular monitoring. Dehydration is definitely to be avoided.

 

[TubbaBlubba]

I worked with a (supposedly) Asperger's teenager who was on lithium. While doing some research into that drug I spotted the scary comment that the toxic and therapeutic levels of blood lithium are very close and need regular monitoring. Dehydration is definitely to be avoided.

Of course. But I can vouch for the fact that it makes you incredibly thirsty, so it really isn't a risk unless you engage in binge drinking or something like that.

 

[Dancing David]

I initially supposed the term "Borderline Personality Disorder" in the OP, to be ironic humour.
I was interested, therefore, to read the NIMH page on it.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

I can't help thinking that what that definition describes sounds remarkably like a teenager.
The observation that "with help, many go on to lead productive lives", seems especially revealing.

Is it the intention of the medical fraternity to increasingly medicate finer and finer deviations from what they consider "normal" behaviour, until the entire population has both the desire and the blandness required for medical school?

Hi, how many people do you know who try to do that on a daily basis?
Have you ever met someone who is a cutter and uses it to control the people around them?

Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

BPD is not a 'fine' distinction, you shoudl read it again and maybe think about it.

How many people do you know who cut? Any?

What sample do you have of people diagnosed with BPD? Any or just vague philosophical misunderstanding?

 

[23_Tauri]

Lack of foods containing tryptophan in the diet may lead to insufficient serotonin (5-HT) and melatonin production. I would make sure you are eating lots of trytophan rich foods. If not, it is sold as a dietary supplement either as tryptophan or 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP). I have read that efficacy of 5-HTP is improved if taken with a Vitamin B complex supplement too, to aid conversion to 5-HT.

Research is scant but what has been done showed tryptophan and 5-HTP to be better than placebo at alleviating depression:

Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression

I would also recommend a good Omega-3 supplement, as another poster has also suggested.

 

[bozman]

Hi, how many people do you know who try to do that on a daily basis?
Have you ever met someone who is a cutter and uses it to control the people around them?

Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

BPD is not a 'fine' distinction, you shoudl read it again and maybe think about it.

How many people do you know who cut? Any?

Soapy sounds like he's been reading Scientologist pamphlets or something. I like the part where he declares BPD as being like a teenager, since, after all, it's glaringly obvious he has the credentials and/or experience of any other mental health professional.

Anyway, I'll just add that I used to have a stepsister diagnosed BPD. I didn't know her all that well, but I know she had intense anger issues (the family drama was off the charts) and absolutely refused to ever get any help. Around age 20, she moved to another city, started college, and began to spiral out of control. Among other problems, she was hospitalized a few times for attempting suicide, and, long story short, she finally did it at age 22.

 

[23_Tauri]

I'm so sorry to hear that sad story, bozman. What a terrible tragedy. Is that serious enough for you, Soapy Sam, or is that 'just being like a teenager'?

 

[Ambermae]

I am very sorry for your loss bozman.

It's a horrible thing to have to deal with, whether its you or a member of your family.
People like soapy sam are clearly idiots who have no idea what the true impact of mental illness has on people and their family and friends.

Thanks for the support everyone, i really appreciate all your help.

 

[bozman]

What Soapy doesn't understand here is that many behavioral patterns associated with disorders like BPD, or any personality disorder, are actually indeed quite childlike (broadly speaking). Some of these behaviors can probably even be traced back to adolescence or childhood. He went wrong when concluded that BPD, therefore, must not really exist, as if one somehow excludes the other... well, that and the whole conspiracy theory part about doctors wanting to medicate everyone. lol

 

[Dancing David]

\ Among other problems, she was hospitalized a few times for attempting suicide, and, long story short, she finally did it at age 22.

I am sorry.

 

[Dancing David]

What Soapy doesn't understand here is that many behavioral patterns associated with disorders like BPD, or any personality disorder, are actually indeed quite childlike (broadly speaking). Some of these behaviors can probably even be traced back to adolescence or childhood. He went wrong when concluded that BPD, therefore, must not really exist, as if one somehow excludes the other... well, that and the whole conspiracy theory part about doctors wanting to medicate everyone. lol

As a doctor I know used to say "Sure we all act like that sometimes, but you didn't end up in the hospital."

 

[Illustronic]

In short yes, you are what you eat. Most of your health problems are directly related to you choice of what food you eat and when you eat it.

What else is there?

 

[bozman]

In short yes, you are what you eat. Most of your health problems are directly related to you choice of what food you eat and when you eat it.

What else is there?

Yeah, what other things could possibly affect someone's mental health? Hmmm... Biology? Culture of origin? Childhood trauma? Disease? Drugs or alcohol? Sustaining a traumatic brain injury? Nah...

Those are just silly. It's all food or all nothing! Wait, were you making a joke?

 

[Ambermae]

In short yes, you are what you eat. Most of your health problems are directly related to you choice of what food you eat and when you eat it.

What else is there?

So all i've had to do for the last 20 years was eat different food!

I guess the wrong food also caused the Ovarian Cyst i'm having removed in a couple of weeks too then huh?

 

[Dancing David]

In short yes, you are what you eat. Most of your health problems are directly related to you choice of what food you eat and when you eat it.

What else is there?

Thanks for the call, lets go to the caller on line 3...

 

[23_Tauri]

In short yes, you are what you eat. Most of your health problems are directly related to you choice of what food you eat and when you eat it.

What else is there?

Thanks for the call, lets go to the caller on line 3...

'Nuff said....

 

[bozman]

I think my favorite part is where illustronic points out that, not only are most health problems directly related to your diet (problems like Borderline Personality Disorder, for example), but also when you eat the food itself. In other words, the hands on your clock play a role in determining how susceptible you may or may not be to disease at any given time. And by "disease," I mean most all known health problems... because duh, what else is there?

Imagine how awful it must be to go through life rigidly adhering to this kind of nonsense. Like always worrying about what you can and can't actually eat, having a ton of rules you'd neurotically adhere to about eating only certain things at certain times... Because, after all, you might end up with a life threatening disease if you don't!

I think I can see why it's appealing, on some level anyway, to think this way though. If being susceptible to disease is entirely within your control (through diet, for example), then it sort of takes the randomness and uncertainty that comes with a health issue out of the picture. You see this all the time in folks with anxiety disorders. They might worry and obsess over something like the possibility of catching a disease (a really common one), and then feel an overwhelming need to perform a particular ritual (maybe hand washing or having strict dietary rules) to alleviate the feelings of anxiety.

Anyway, good times.

 

[s_pepys]

ambermae

Thankyou for your posts and for opening this thread. I recently have been diagnosed with depression and given medication that doesnt seem to be touching me at all. as cautious as i am about self diagnosis on-line i cant help but notice the similarities between what im going through and the description of bpd provided by another poster. Never thought about it before, i work in forensic mental health and work regularly with extreme cases of pd and other illness'. A great deal of my best and oldest friends seem to have a similar opinion to soapy sam. It is understandable to a degree as i have been extremely hard work to those around me and it leads to increased isolation and feelings of self loathing (in my case at least).

Anyways, just wanted to say thanks for sharing such a personal issue and thanks all you guys whove replied (even the thick one). It makes me feel better to know im not alone and remind me that these things are very real. Even people afflicted are not free of the stigma and disbelief associated with these conditions.

Thanks All.

 

[Ambermae]

s_pepys

Its my pleasure and i'm glad to help, i do not believe anyone with mental health issues should be ashamed of it, in fact i think it shows a great deal of courage to admit you have a problem and then seek help, especially when some issues (like my own) actually leave you very vulnerable.

I understand your caution of self diagnosis but to be honest it was reading up on Personality Disorders that got me my diagnosis, as with you, i recognised that the discription of BPD was what i had been feeling, thinking and doing. I have a long history of forming very quick intimate relationships, which i would then destroy by getting upset at the person for not texting me back within 20mins of me texting them and then threaten all sorts to get a response (thats just an example), its ridiculous of course but at the time it made perfect sense to me. The whole relationship would be formed and destroyed in a matter of weeks or maybe 6 months at the most. I have very few close friends because of this behaviour, those that have stuck by me still have to put up with an awful lot from me sometimes but then i at least know they understand and ignore my outbursts!

I went to my GP and explained what i had been doing and what i'd discovered and she referred me to a Psychiatrist. However i must add that i also have been treated for depression for 20 years or so (loads of different meds, none really worked for me) and have repeatedly selfharmed and attempted suicide as well as other behaviours. I am lucky that where i live i have access to a NHS professional mental health care crisis team 24hours a day.

I still struggle with the depression (hence this thread) but i have to say, just having the diagnosis was a great help because i finally had something to say to friends and family and a reason to look forward to treatment (there is no reason why i shouldn't have a happy and healthy life).

As far as your own situation goes, i'd suggest that you keep trying the Antidepressants, as they can take up to 8 weeks to work in some cases and different doses or brands work for different people but speak to your doctor about what you have found and how you feel it relates to you. If you have access to counselling too then give that a try, it was a huge help to me especially during the episodes of depression and relationship breakdowns.
Feel free to ask me anything or PM me if you prefer, i know how hard it can be and i know how much support can mean to you!

 

[s_pepys]

wow! talk about hitting the nail on the head. sounds exactly the same as my experience so far. This past year has been hell. I will take that advice.

Thankyou very much.

 

[Ambermae]

No problem


Remember it takes time for a diagnosis, don't give up and keep fighting the urges and behaviour if you can.

Good luck and take care!