QuestionI am suffering from severe OCD and panic attacks and diagnosed with Reactive hypoglycemia.
I used to eat excessive sugar from my childhood and now I am 32.It was like craving.
I am very confused with diet. I am a vegeterain and eating food rich in protiens and comples carb, i have eliminated sugar from my diet.
I have been asked to take some food supplements.
In india we do not have good nutritionists.
My endocrinologist said that take natural vitamins and not synthetic.In india Amway sells nutrilite products.
Since my psyciatrist and endocrinologist has said that neirotransmitters imbalance has caused OCD and panic attacks.
Psyciatrist is giving anti depressant and endocrnilogist says that whin an year with proper diet you will be free of all symptoms.
I am listng few products below , Which one do you think are better.
I have found 3 products , Please click the link below or copy paste in internet explorer
NUTRIWAY Vitamin B Complex
1. http://www.a2k.com.au/servlet/a2k?page=productDetail&vsNumber=101326&categoryId=...
Nutriway Daily
2. http://www.a2k.com.au/servlet/a2k?page=productDetail&vsNumber=123&categoryId=401...
3. Nutriway protien
http://www.a2k.co.nz/servlet/a2k?page=productDetail&vsNumber=100325&categoryId=4...
4. Nutriway Omega 3
http://www.a2k.co.nz/servlet/a2k?page=productDetail&vsNumber=532&categoryId=4010...
Please guide if i need all the supplemets or only a couple.
AnswerDear AG,
First of all, it is very important to trust your psychiatrist on this one: OCD is indeed a neurological problem (possibly triggered by innate or developed neurological connections in the brain). Eventhough the brain is developed and maintained because of what we eat, a diet cannot influence it to such an extent that you will be cured.
From my own experience of feeding people with OCD related symptoms (including NLD, ADHD and other autistic disorders which have OCD patterns), I have found diet to be of some consequence.It can help establish stable and solid routines which are the basis of equanimity in the mind. Furthermore, although classical medicine finds no relationship between the sugar imbalances and OCD/autistic conditions, from an Anthroposophic perspective I can see how an impaired, weak or distorted sense of self (as directed by the so-called Ego Body) will cause you to crave sugar (a general "dictator of mood"). All children like sweet things because it brings them down to earth (like mother's milk) and it is why depressed/hormonal women are said to reach for chocolate (they are less incarnated/happy in their bodies at those times)!
As someone with an autistic tendency (being locked up in your own thoughts, and overly self-obsessed) all your energy is centripetal and sucked into this big mystery cave of a brain. Nobody really knows what goes on in there, and people like you spend too much time up there! (Even if you don't know it and you don't want it). So bring yourself down. And there is no easier way than having a good healthy diet and plenty of fresh air/exercise. This is where hobby and friends come into play. Or a love of animals, joy in nature, or fun swimming, walking, painting, dancing, making music, etc. Think of something that puts the self "out there" for a bit, so that you can look at it. At its splashes in the water, its strokes on the paper, its movements in the air, those fingers around the stalk of a flower, those toes in the sand.
Good food in your belly, interesting flavours on your tongue, challenging morsels for your teeth and jaws, complex digestive processes will all contribute to redistributing your energy to parts of your body that can cope a lot better with "you" than your brain all the time.
For the rest, there are (group) therapies that can help you cope with OCD so that it does not RULE your life anymore. Sharing the problem with others who also have it (it is really quite common in this day and age) can bring much relief and great insight. You get to look at yourself through others!
I find it hard to believe a specialist will tell you that all symptoms will be gone without informing you that this may be only because you might be able to control the cause. But you cannot be cured that easily (if at all. We are talking a mind set - and you are an adult). You need to think centrifugal. Take up mental activities that are about letting go, teach you to go with the flow,and stop controlling the uncontrollable, while your digestive system (the counter pole) should hold on more firmly to matter. Supplements have the great problem of being only chemical components. Your problem does not sound predominantly one of malnutrition. The chemicals in the brain are definitely not directly influenced by the substances you take in the form of vitamin supplements. Although proteins are necessary for healthy brain work, ingesting a supplement is not the way forward from my personal nutritional angle.
So with this information, you may begin to tell that diet is both somehow secondary to your problem as well as crucial to your coping with it. Without sugar highs and lows your brain stays calmer, so that helps you manage panic. So it's a good idea to have a diet suitable for hypoglycemia. Really learn all the ins and outs of that disorder: it is trying to tell you a lot about the changes you need to make for a greater sense of harmony. Make sure you know all about sugars and complex carbohydrates and how vegetable proteins are best absorbed.
I have not heard of OCD being treated with anti-depressants before in the West. I presume your depression is a subsequent development of the OCD. Psychiatric pharmaceuticals may be necessary if your life is at risk, but they seldom improve the quality of your life in these particular cases and are never long-term solutions. The better you learn to cope with OCD/panic attacks the more in control of your moods you will become.
The Endocrinologist should be able to help you with a diet suitable for your sugar imbalance. If there are no other physical causes (liver disease etc) for you problems it may indeed be just a case of eating a very well balanced (and strict!) HEALTHY diet.
Vitamin B is classically given in cases of (mild)depression. Protein supplements are seldom necessary unless you cannot digest solid food. The supposed superb effects of Omega 3 is under review at the moment.
The supplements you suggest are not my personal cup of tea at all. In my view they have no place in a healthy diet. Some of the arguments given by this particular firm as to why they should be taken are very specific to a definite life-style and world view which do not convene with mine. So you will have to make your own mind up on those products.
You mention India, and I must disagree with you in that I have had several people tell me about some excellent nutritionalists there especially. You need to look specifically in the Ayurvedic direction - and then preferably find one with medical qualifications. Reactive Hypoglycemia must be kept an eye on, since it is a gift to the body forewarning greater (and irrmedial) ills.
I wish you all the luck in the world and feel that you can book much success once you start eating a fresh and carefully balanced diet full of delicious flavours, lovely colours and in appetising and varying creations.
All the best,
Love Evelyn.
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