I'm diagnosed with schizophrenia and used to suffer a lot with bouts of low mood, I started taking some strong EPA fish oil capsules last winter and after about six weeks I noticed I hadn't felt low or anxious for a while, been on them now for 11 months and low mood has not been a problem, I think there is definitely something in it. They cost me about £20 per month but it's certainly a price worth paying. Keep up the good work, Rob
Hey Christina
I am especially interested in how you have coped with your SAD. I believe my son with autism may have this...like clockwork...he gets agitated and cries...every Fall. He is taking Celexa and we just upped it a bit. I am hoping it helps him. I am not sure how he would ever take fish oil but it may be interesting to look into.
When I have taken fish oil capsules....I burp fish all day. oh no!
Anyways...thank you for your post and the links. This was very helpful information.
Hi MerelyMe,
I have no side effects from the fish oil.
A friend who told me he had SAD also used to take an anti-depressant during the dark months and I believe he mentioned Celexa at one point.
I"m going to recommend Omega-3 fish oil to someone I know too.
It can't be a coincidence that suddenly I stopped having SAD after all those years. I used to wonder who would want to marry me if for close to six months of the year I'd be bawled up on the couch crying.
And then. The SAD stopped. Just like that. It's been gone for longer than eight years.
Regards,
Christina
I find this post especially interesting since my son was treated for his mood disorder*before* his thought disorder! Once it became clear he needed an antipsychotic I wondered if the Prozac was still necessary. I couldn't tell if SZ looked like depression, or what?
Then I came across some material about clinics who treat young patients in the prodromal stage who've suffered their first break. They follow the patients for a number of years and their plan is to start with an antidepressant (along with CBT or DBT) adding an antipsychtic if necessary. Of course this is all in the 'research phase' the goal being to prevent more hospitaliztion & halt the progression of the psychosis; but to me it makes sense. Many hallucinations stem from depression/anxiety/ and other underlying emotions a patient might struggle with.
Glad to see the components being identified and treated as needed. It makes for better, longer remission!
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when i was diagnosed most of what i recall was the emotion of fear. basically not knowing what was happening and not understanding the extent of my condition. over the years i developed my awareness an understanding and was able to manage my mood. once i challenged what i was afraid of that fear left me hopefully for good. i never really became depressed though through everything i experienced i wouldnt allow myself to also be consumed with those feelings. i felt it from time to time but i wouldnt let it take hold i guess one could say. my family have always said that i was strong willed, and at times they get aggitated because of my cheerful nature. and even though i am not currently on medication for mood or my illness at the moment i feel as though i have a deeper understanding of its nature. im aware that symptoms such as auditory hallucinations that i once experienced could return given any moment and i regret to admit that i still have an illness. however i dont want to be medicated on things that could surpress who i am and what i feel. i was taking abilify and celexia a while back and i would have involuntary muscle spasms as well as a numbness to my emotional state. if i knew for sure that a medicine could surpress symptoms if ever they occur again and would not hinder my own persona i would gladly take them. the problem i have now is over thinking, its managable to an extent more aggravating than anything.... but if one that has a similar diagnosis could learn or at least try to not be influenced by a negative state of mind i feel personally that in some cases anyways this affliction of the mind can be managed if not controlled entirely. if people could perhaps stay connected with whom they are as an individual and not be swayed by all the negativity and suffering they endure, maybe then can they cope easier. it's way easier to say these things than it is actually doing them i know ive been through it and still taking life a day at a time. also i will add that in saying what i just have i in no way encourage people to come off there medicine what i did was a personal choice a test of sorts to see how i could handle being off medication. my doctor is informed on this matter and i am telling him everything that i experience or will experience so please anyone that reads this dont take it the wrong way or act upon an ideal that was expressed by me. i dont want anyone to be brought more pain or suffering from what i have written.