Schizophrenia naturally

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Title: Schizophrenia naturally

Word Count: 1168

Author: McEvoy

Email: davemcevoy2004@...

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Schizophrenia naturally

Copyright 2005 McEvoy

Schizophrenia naturally

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain

disease. Approximately one percent of the population

develops schizophrenia during their lifetime – more than

two million Americans suffer from the illness in any given

year. Although schizophrenia affects men and women with

equal frequency, the disorder often appears earlier in men,

usually in the late teens or early twenties; women are

generally affected in the twenties to early thirties.

People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms

such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or

believing that other people are reading their minds,

controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These

symptoms may leave them fearful and withdrawn. Their speech

and behaviour can be disorganised and strange to the extent

that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others.

How is Schizophrenia Diagnosed?

There is currently no physical or lab test that can

conclusively diagnose schizophrenia - a psychiatrist

usually makes the diagnosis based on clinical symptoms.

Physical testing can rule out many other conditions

(seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, thyroid

dysfunction, brain tumour, the effects of street drug use,

and so on) that sometimes have similar symptoms.

What causes Schizophrenia?

Although the exact cause of schizophrenia remains unknown,

experts agree that schizophrenia develops as a result of

interplay between biological predisposition (for example,

inheriting certain genes) and environmental factors. These

lines of research are beginning to converge: brain

development disruption is likely the result of genetic

and/or environmental stressors early in development (during

pregnancy or early childhood), leading to subtle

alterations in the brain. Environmental factors later in

development can either damage the brain further and further

increase the risk of schizophrenia, or lessen the

expression of genetic or neurodevelopment defects, thus

decreasing the risk of schizophrenia.

Treatment for schizophrenia

The American Psychiatric Association publication

‘Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with

Schizophrenia’ states: " Antipsychotic medications are

indicated for nearly all acute psychotic episodes in

patients with schizophrenia. "

There is also a significant overlap in terms of the

medications for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Manic

Depression).

There are two main classifications of medications (from a

layman's perspective); the traditional antipsychotic

medications (Haldol, etc.), and the newer, ‘atypical’

antipsychotic medications that have come out in the past

decade (Clozapine, Geodon, Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa,

Abilify, etc.). It is recommended that sufferers or their

carers speak to online support groups to get in touch with

others, and to hear about their personal successes and

problems with the different medications. It is also a good

idea to read as much as possible regarding the medications

available, and talk with a psychiatrist, to identify the

medications that may be appropriate. It should be kept in

mind that whilst both the older and newer medications can

greatly help a person with schizophrenia, they all have

significant side effects that vary according to the

individual. No medication available, unfortunately,

constitutes an actual cure for schizophrenia.

A natural treatment for schizophrenia?

While the conclusions drawn range from the positive to the

negative, research does suggest that people with

schizophrenia may benefit by a reduction in symptoms when

they take fish oil capsules that are high in the EPA (a

type of Omega-3 fatty acid) form of oil. It is important to

be careful about the type of fish oil you are using, as not

all fish oils are effective. Researchers at the University

of Sheffield tell us: " What people really need to be

looking at is the amount of EPA in the fish oil they are

buying. Our data from previous studies suggests that DHA is

of little use in the treatment of schizophrenia, but EPA is

the substance that yields the best results. Dosage wise it

is suggested that about 2,000 mg/day to 4,000 mg/day (2 to

4 grams/day) should help. "

A research review article from 2005 in the journal Drugs

states: “The evidence to date supports the adjunctive use

[i.e. in addition to antipsychotic medications] of omega-3

fatty acids in the management of treatment unresponsive

depression and schizophrenia. As these conditions are

associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease

and diabetes mellitus, omega-3 fatty acids should also

benefit the physical state of these patients. " (Drugs,

2005; 65(8):1051-9).

Fish fats, and the oils extracted from them, contain two

biologically-active omega 3 fatty acids, DHA, EPA. There

are good theoretical reasons why both might be important in

the brain. However, with regard to schizophrenia, evidence

is accumulating that it is the EPA which is really helpful,

whereas DHA may not be beneficial in this context.

The strongest evidence comes from a study at Sheffield

University by Dr Malcolm Peet and his colleagues. They did

a study in patients with chronic, partially

treatment-resistant schizophrenia. These patients continued

on their existing medications. They were then randomised on

a double-blind basis to receive either a placebo, or high

EPA fish oil from sardines or anchovies, or high DHA fish

oil from tuna. In other words, all the treatments were

coded so that neither the patients nor the doctors knew

which patient was receiving which treatment until the trial

had been completed and the code broken. When the code was

broken, the results were very clear. The placebo patients,

as is usual in such experiments, showed a small

improvement. The DHA patients also showed a small

improvement, but in fact a lesser one than was evident in

the placebo group, raising the possibility that DHA may not

be helpful. In contrast, the patients on EPA showed a

significant improvement which was comparable to that seen

with the newer antipsychotic drugs, yet without the side

effects.

Other studies have also shown that the same EPA rich oil as

was used in the Sheffield study is very helpful in

improving symptoms even in those who have a shorter history

of schizophrenia. It therefore seems that the best fish

oils to use are those which are high in EPA.

These findings have been fully embraced by the

Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain, which

recommends EPA fish oil along with other nutritional

supplements on a daily basis to help treat this condition.

Conclusion

The current evidence points towards this natural essential

fatty acid being beneficial for schizophrenia especially

when run alongside current antipsychotic medication.

Any good doctor or nutritionist will tell you that the best

way to get any nutrient is to eat a very balanced diet. In

the case of Omega 3 oil this would be in the form of fish.

Sadly due to the pollution levels found in our oceans today

eating large portions of fish every day is not advisable.

Therefore anyone with schizophrenia who wants to supplement

their diet with omega 3 oil must purchase fish oil capsules

that are high in EPA. Make sure at point of purchase that

the capsules are free of toxins and contaminates and that

they also have a high EPA to DHA ratio, as these types of

capsules were found to be more effective by some leading

doctors in the UK.

About the Author:

The author Dave McEvoy has CFS and bipolar disorder with a

history of schizophrenia in his family. Dave also runs a

high quality supplement site

http://www.mind1st.co.uk