{"id":942,"date":"2012-05-29T16:13:33","date_gmt":"2012-05-29T23:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=942"},"modified":"2020-04-15T16:58:49","modified_gmt":"2020-04-15T23:58:49","slug":"bipolar-disruptive-mood-or-gluten-and-junk-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/bipolar-disruptive-mood-or-gluten-and-junk-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipolar, disruptive mood or gluten and junk food?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A national study published in 2007 showed a surge in use of the bipolar diagnosis in children<\/strong>: the frequency of visits to doctors\u2019 offices by youths 19 and younger for treatment of the condition increased from 25 per 100,000 visits in 1994-95 to 1,003 per 100,000 visits in 2002-03. <\/em>I wonder what the numbers are now?<\/p>\n

The above quote is from a story that appeared in the Boston Globe earlier this month [thanks to my friend in Boston who shared this story with me and urged me to write a commentary!]\n

The story, \u201cProposed diagnosis for bipolar disorder divides psychiatrists\u201d\u00a0by Patricia Wen, discusses issues with proposed revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSMIV). The psychiatric association is expected to make final decisions for its fifth revised edition to be published in May 2013.<\/p>\n

A panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association is urging that a new, potentially more transient and less-stigmatizing diagnosis – \u201cdisruptive mood dysregulation disorder<\/strong>\u2019\u2019 – be added to the official manual of mental illnesses, which is undergoing a sweeping revision <\/em>[this new disorder would be included in the manual in addition to the existing bipolar disorder, and this is where the division is].<\/p>\n

The new condition would apply to children who have chronic irritability, as well as recurrent temper outbursts<\/strong> – three or more times a week, on average – that are \u201cgrossly out of proportion\u2019\u2019 to the situation the child confronts.<\/em><\/p>\n

It can be as disabling to a young child as bipolar disorder, but would probably be treated with antidepressants, not antipsychotic drugs. As adults, these children would be more likely to develop anxiety or depression<\/strong>, rather than bipolar disorder.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wow! chronic irritability, recurrent temper outbursts, \u201cgrossly out of proportion\u2019\u2019 to the situation, likely to develop anxiety or depression <\/em>as adults<\/em><\/p>\n

This sounds a lot like a combination of poor diet\/junk food and food intolerances<\/strong>. And it\u2019s no surprise when you consider what diets kids are eating these days! Let\u2019s also throw in low blood sugar<\/strong> for good measure \u2013 how many kids do you know who eat a good breakfast that includes protein?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s first look at food quality and bipolar disorder:<\/p>\n

In the Journal of Affective Disorders<\/em>, a 2012 paper titled \u201cDiet quality in bipolar disorder in a population-based sample of women<\/a>\u201d, found a lower risk of bipolar disorder in those eating a quality traditional foods diet<\/strong>. Granted, this is epidemiological evidence, but this is exactly why more research is imperative. The authors do actually state: \u201cLongitudinal studies are warranted\u201d.<\/p>\n

Lead author of the above paper, Dr. Felice Jacka , is also the lead author in a 2011 PLoS One <\/em>paper that found diet quality in adolescents was associated with a lower risk of mental health issues<\/a>. The author stated that this \u201cstudy highlights the importance of diet in adolescence and its potential role in modifying mental health over the life course<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s also look at gluten and bipolar disorder:<\/p>\n

In the journal Psychiatry Research<\/em>, a 2012 paper titled \u201cMarkers of gluten sensitivity in acute mania<\/a>: A longitudinal study\u201d\u00a0states that individuals \u201cwith mania had significantly increased levels of IgG antibodies to gliadin<\/strong>\u201d \u201cwhich is derived from the wheat protein gluten\u201d.<\/p>\n

When I read this section in the Boston Globe story a light bulb went off\u2026.<\/p>\n

What is ultimately added, subtracted, or revised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, first put out by the American Psychiatric Association in 1952, is loaded with practical and cultural implications.<\/em><\/p>\n

It will help define what is considered normal behavior. It largely determines how clinicians diagnose conditions; what health insurers will pay for; what drugs are made and marketed; and what research will be funded by governments and foundations<\/em><\/p>\n

Perhaps the division between bipolar disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is less important than my whole-hearted proposal to add gluten intolerance and celiac disease, junk food addict (and low blood sugar and a host of other nutritional factors) to the DSMIV!!!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m obviously saying this tongue-in-cheek but imagine a world where we:<\/p>\n