Celiac and Mental Health Issues?

[AlwaysLearning]

I am curious if anyone knows of any studies that have looked to see if there are connections between celiac and mental health issues.

I know that some people get gluten ataxia, which affects their brain function, and I know that many of us have experienced anger as a symptom of a gluten reaction. But what I'm really trying to get at is if anyone has linked gluten reactions to being either a cause or a catalyst for things like full-blown personality disorders. I can imagine it being in the realm of possibility when you consider how devastating malnourishment could be during development. But is there evidence?

I will admit that I'm trying to better understand my relatives and I would love to find an explanation for how they could possibly behave so badly and seemingly have little to no control over it. Thanks

[Scott Adams]

Most definitely, and we have summarized the important ones over the years in these two categories:

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/schizophrenia-mental-problems-and-celiac-disease/ 

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/depression-and-celiac-disease/

[Tray1973.]

The first thing a specialisy gives you in the consulation is q depression/ mood questionaire to verify just how affected mentally you are, there is a definite connection between mental health and being celiac.

[trents]

2 hours ago, Tray1973. said:

The first thing a specialisy gives you in the consulation is q depression/ mood questionaire to verify just how affected mentally you are, there is a definite connection between mental health and being celiac.

What kind of specialist do you speak of? I would think medical doctors inquiring about mental health in connection with celiac disease would be very rare. Most medical doctors have a hard time connecting the dots with regard physical medical disorders when it comes to celiac disease.

[Scott Adams]

I do think this forum has many posts from people who had celiac disease symptoms, but their doctors dismissed them and thought they were simply depressed or were hypochondriacs. Many have reported that their doctors offered them prescriptions for anxiety, rather than investigate their health symptoms. 

[AlwaysLearning]

Actually, I was trying to figure out if celiac could be related to my mother's severe personality disorders. I was thinking that malnourishment as a child could have affected brain development or something of the sort. I will probably never know because part of the personality disorder is to deny that anything could be wrong, so she'll never get tested for celiac. Yeah, my holidays were oh so fun.

But I agree that doctors rarely consider mental health issues unless you specifically seek out a specialist in the field. 

Also, thanks for the links Scott. I did see them when you posted but just gave you an upvote rather than give this thread more attention than it deserved.

[knitty kitty]

13 hours ago, AlwaysLearning said:

Actually, I was trying to figure out if celiac could be related to my mother's severe personality disorders. I was thinking that malnourishment as a child could have affected brain development or something of the sort. I will probably never know because part of the personality disorder is to deny that anything could be wrong, so she'll never get tested for celiac. Yeah, my holidays were oh so fun.

But I agree that doctors rarely consider mental health issues unless you specifically seek out a specialist in the field. 

Also, thanks for the links Scott. I did see them when you posted but just gave you an upvote rather than give this thread more attention than it deserved.

Here's some material to help answer your questions.  

I grew up in a household where both parents were in denial about Celiac and ensuing mental health problems, so I understand how you feel.

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Psychiatry

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3046018/

And...

DEPRESSION, AGGRESSION, AND VITAMIN B1 THIAMINE SUPPLEMENTS AS A NEW TREATMENT

https://newbrainnutrition.com/depression-aggression-and-vitamin-b1-thiamine-supplements-as-a-new-treatment/

And...

Vitamin B1 Thiamine Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537204/

And...

The Impact of Thiamine Treatment on Generalized Anxiety Disorder

https://www.scirp.org/html/13-2100169_7555.htm

https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=7555

And...

Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533683/

If you need more discussion/information, let me know.  Been there, done that. 

 

[Russ H]

15 hours ago, AlwaysLearning said:

Actually, I was trying to figure out if celiac could be related to my mother's severe personality disorders. I was thinking that malnourishment as a child could have affected brain development or something of the sort. I will probably never know because part of the personality disorder is to deny that anything could be wrong, so she'll never get tested for celiac. Yeah, my holidays were oh so fun.

But I agree that doctors rarely consider mental health issues unless you specifically seek out a specialist in the field. 

Also, thanks for the links Scott. I did see them when you posted but just gave you an upvote rather than give this thread more attention than it deserved.

I think this is possible. I have a similar experience. I think I inherited it from my mother who was plagued with health and psychiatric problems that emerged in adulthood. Particularly, she developed seizures and calcification of the the occipital arteries and blindness in later life. I was beginning to develop neuropsychiatric symptoms but they have resolved over the past few months on a strict gluten free diet.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1407390/

[knitty kitty]

MR Imaging Findings in 56 Patients with Wernicke Encephalopathy: Nonalcoholics May Differ from Alcoholics

http://www.ajnr.org/content/30/1/171

And...

Thiamine Deficiency Induced Neurochemical, Neuroanatomical, and Neuropsychological Alterations: A Reappraisal

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/309143/

And...

Thiamin deficiency and brain disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19087395/

And...

Bilateral occipital calcification associated with celiac disease, folate deficiency, and epilepsy

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7484640/

 

Celiac Disease causes damaged villi in the small intestine where the eight B vitamins are usually absorbed.  The B vitamins can't be absorbed adequately.  Folate, Niacin, Cobalamine, and Thiamine are B vitamins that can dramatically effect changes in the brain and, therefore, behavior.  Thiamine deficiency is most often seen first because thiamine can only be stored for three weeks.  Deficiency symptoms can be seen in as little as nine days.  Supplementing with thiamine results in improvement within hours!

@AlwaysLearning said...

"But I agree that doctors rarely consider mental health issues unless you specifically seek out a specialist in the field."

The doctors I've known were quick to throw antidepressants and pharmaceuticals at me and say I say a hypochondriac rather than search for the underlying physical cause of mental illness.  Even the so-called specialists and experts.  Vitamin deficiency caused mental health illnesses are not even on their radar.  It's pitiful what people have to go through when simple B Complex vitamin supplementation can restore to health so many.

 

[Russ H]

On 1/1/2022 at 12:45 AM, knitty kitty said:

Some interesting information there. Deficiencies such as B1 may well be a cause of neurological symptoms. I had short term memory and concentration problems "brain fog". This seems to be different to WKS, which leaves working memory unaffected as I understand it. I wonder whether there are multiple affects on the brain, such as a leaky gut letting toxins into the bloodstream and perhaps direct immune attack. There are various neurological conditions such as gluten ataxia whose symptoms do not fit well with thiamine deficiency.

Thanks.

[cristiana]

On 12/29/2021 at 8:48 PM, Scott Adams said:

I do think this forum has many posts from people who had celiac disease symptoms, but their doctors dismissed them and thought they were simply depressed or were hypochondriacs. Many have reported that their doctors offered them prescriptions for anxiety, rather than investigate their health symptoms. 

I developed, in the space of a few weeks, the most crippling anxiety, disturbing thoughts and phobias in the run up to my diagnosis.  I remember trying to fold my children's laundry one afternoon and found it almost impossible. 

I went to see a doctor who ran some tests and saw I was very anemic.  Thankfully she didn't just prescribe me anxiety medication, although that is all I thought I needed at the time!  I went undiagnosed with coeliac diseas for another six months as it took that time for my gastric symptoms to develop, but thankfully in that time addressing the anemia helped to some extent, as well as reading books* on anxiety and depression that helped me to understand what was going on. 

The anxiety was such an alien feeling to me I actually had to google how I was feeling to realise what it was.  It was nothing like pre-exam nerves, it was a feeling of doom and racing thoughts. 

Interestingly, when the anxiety first struck, my B12 levels were also very low.  On more than one occasion at this time I noticed I calmed right down after drinking a couple of pints of milk or having a Berocca drink!  The only thing I can think is that both are good sources of B12?

When speaking to an insurance nurse a few years ago I was trying to get anxiety removed from my exemptions.  The nurse told me straight off that anxiety was common amongst undiagnosed coeliacs. I am just so grateful that my doctor started looking at the wider picture when I turned up at her office in 2012.  

*The books that helped me were Paul David's book At Last A Life,  Dr Steve Llardi's book The Depression Cure and Dr Tim Cantopher's book, Depressive Illness, Curse of the Strong.

[knitty kitty]

@Russ314,

No, the memory goes in Wernicke's.  Earlier memory may persist, but later and current memory are affected.  

Concurrent vitamin deficiencies contribute to further mental illness secondary to Celiac Disease and gluten ataxia.  

Like @cristiana said, Vitamin B12 deficiency causes anxiety.  Vitamin C, B12, Niacin, Thiamine, Vitamin D, and other vitamins and minerals can affect a person's mental health in various ways.  The severity of a deficiency can cause continuing and worsening symptoms.  It's rare to have a deficiency in just one vitamin or mineral.  I highlight thiamine because it can make a big improvement in one's health since every cell uses thiamine.  Many of the other autoimmune diseases and health problems that develop with Celiac Disease are diseases that have a component of thiamine deficiency involved.  

But, I agree that Gluten Ataxia is different than nutritional deficiency mental illness.  From what I've read, gluten molecules can travel to the brain when concurrent leaky gut syndrome is present and attach to opioid receptors, accounting for at least part of the brain fog.  Cannabinoids are reported as having the ability to dislodge the gluten.  

Thanks

[Russ H]

On 1/2/2022 at 11:40 PM, cristiana said:

The anxiety was such an alien feeling to me I actually had to google how I was feeling to realise what it was.  It was nothing like pre-exam nerves, it was a feeling of doom and racing thoughts. 

That is just how I felt. A sense of impending doom, anxiety and confusion. Also paranoia and memory problems, particularly short term memory. I saw 5 doctors but did not get diagnosed. I was saying all the right things and had the classic symptoms. Just unlucky I suppose.

 

On 1/4/2022 at 10:49 AM, knitty kitty said:

@Russ314,

 

From what I've read, gluten molecules can travel to the brain when concurrent leaky gut syndrome is present and attach to opioid receptors, accounting for at least part of the brain fog.  Cannabinoids are reported as having the ability to dislodge the gluten. 

If I eat gluten my neurological symptoms come on within in a few hours and gradually fade over a few days. Milk would do the same, although I now tolerate milk just fine since I have been strictly gluten free.

[cristiana]

It is so sad that there might be people suffering all this without realising the root cause is gluten and deficiencies.  

BTW @Russ314, I see you are from Scotland.  Wonderful country!  

[Russ H]

8 minutes ago, cristiana said:

It is so sad that there might be people suffering all this without realising the root cause is gluten and deficiencies.  

BTW @Russ314, I see you are from Scotland.  Wonderful country!  

My father was a Scot but I am originally from the South East. Lived in Sweden for several years on and off and now in Aberdeen. Great place to live. Very friendly and hospitable and can get into the hills easily. Have a few pubs with gluten-free beer on tap. What more do you need?

[cristiana]

33 minutes ago, Russ314 said:

My father was a Scot but I am originally from the South East. Lived in Sweden for several years on and off and now in Aberdeen. Great place to live. Very friendly and hospitable and can get into the hills easily. Have a few pubs with gluten-free beer on tap. What more do you need?

Gluten free shortbread!  😄

[Scott Adams]

 

and here is a recipe:

 

[Kate333]

On 12/29/2021 at 12:48 PM, Scott Adams said:

I do think this forum has many posts from people who had celiac disease symptoms, but their doctors dismissed them and thought they were simply depressed or were hypochondriacs. Many have reported that their doctors offered them prescriptions for anxiety, rather than investigate their health symptoms. 

A friendly reminder that there is nothing "simple" about depression or health anxiety, and I don't think it helpful or appropriate to imply that doctors who even mention MH, let alone offer prescriptions for MH conditions, are somehow dismissive or insulting their patients. That outdated attitude only fuels patient fear/cynicism/reluctance to seek much-needed help which could ease suffering.   

Depression/anxiety are VERY SERIOUS, REAL--often possibly life-threatening--medical conditions that deserve to be taken seriously.  Also, since untreated celiac disease seriously damages the small intestine, it is completely logical that the end result would be depression/anxiety (since 95% of serotonin "lives" in the gut, not the brain and is reduced with gut damage).  That said, even without serious gut damage or serotonin deficiency, a diagnosis of celiac disease which requires rigid, drastic diet changes alone is reason enough to generate EXTREME depression/anxiety, esp. in the months after initial diagnosis.  Based on personal experience, adopting a gluten-free diet alone will NOT "cure" serious depression/anxiety. 

I know your comment was well-meaning, but pls. try not to inadvertently stigmatize depression/anxiety by using terms that imply drs are dismissing patient symptoms or being "condescending".  Many of us welcome and have greatly benefitted from our doctors' discussions, therapy, and prescriptions to help us cope with depression/anxiety. 

[yuluyouyue]

3 hours ago, Kate333 said:

A friendly reminder that there is nothing "simple" about depression or health anxiety, and I don't think it helpful or appropriate to imply that doctors who even mention MH, let alone offer prescriptions for MH conditions, are somehow dismissive or insulting their patients. That outdated attitude only fuels patient fear/cynicism/reluctance to seek much-needed help which could ease suffering.   

Depression/anxiety are VERY SERIOUS, REAL--often possibly life-threatening--medical conditions that deserve to be taken seriously.  Also, since untreated celiac disease seriously damages the small intestine, it is completely logical that the end result would be depression/anxiety (since 95% of serotonin "lives" in the gut, not the brain and is reduced with gut damage).  That said, even without serious gut damage or serotonin deficiency, a diagnosis of celiac disease which requires rigid, drastic diet changes alone is reason enough to generate EXTREME depression/anxiety, esp. in the months after initial diagnosis.  Based on personal experience, adopting a gluten-free diet alone will NOT "cure" serious depression/anxiety. 

I know your comment was well-meaning, but pls. try not to inadvertently stigmatize depression/anxiety by using terms that imply drs are dismissing patient symptoms or being "condescending".  Many of us welcome and have greatly benefitted from our doctors' discussions, therapy, and prescriptions to help us cope with depression/anxiety. 

I agree and will add that there are plenty non celiacs suffering from mh issues as well as celiacs whose disease is completely under control for years and yet they still suffer from mh issues. Gluten free and supplements are not magic depression cures. And I think people who think depression is just a temporary side effect of untreated celiac and it should not be addressed by any special means other than by celiac treatment have not actually been there themselves. Being treated poorly in childhood or having existential problems, for example, can lead to mh issues and I should only be so glad "if all that went away after 3 months on gluten free". But alas....

[cristiana]

12 hours ago, Kate333 said:

it is completely logical that the end result would be depression/anxiety (since 95% of serotonin "lives" in the gut, not the brain and is reduced with gut damage). 

That is so interesting, Kate, I had no idea.  Is the serotonin actually in the villi?

Edited January 13, 2022 by cristiana

[Wheatwacked]

On 12/31/2021 at 2:59 AM, AlwaysLearning said:

Actually, I was trying to figure out if celiac could be related to my mother's severe personality disorders

Dr Daniel Amen, psychiatrist, has written extensively about diet and mental health issues. His meal plans are all gluten free.

[Scott Adams]

14 hours ago, Kate333 said:

A friendly reminder that there is nothing "simple" about depression or health anxiety, and I don't think it helpful or appropriate to imply that doctors who even mention MH, let alone offer prescriptions for MH conditions, are somehow dismissive or insulting their patients. That outdated attitude only fuels patient fear/cynicism/reluctance to seek much-needed help which could ease suffering.   

Depression/anxiety are VERY SERIOUS, REAL--often possibly life-threatening--medical conditions that deserve to be taken seriously.  Also, since untreated celiac disease seriously damages the small intestine, it is completely logical that the end result would be depression/anxiety (since 95% of serotonin "lives" in the gut, not the brain and is reduced with gut damage).  That said, even without serious gut damage or serotonin deficiency, a diagnosis of celiac disease which requires rigid, drastic diet changes alone is reason enough to generate EXTREME depression/anxiety, esp. in the months after initial diagnosis.  Based on personal experience, adopting a gluten-free diet alone will NOT "cure" serious depression/anxiety. 

I know your comment was well-meaning, but pls. try not to inadvertently stigmatize depression/anxiety by using terms that imply drs are dismissing patient symptoms or being "condescending".  Many of us welcome and have greatly benefitted from our doctors' discussions, therapy, and prescriptions to help us cope with depression/anxiety. 

I understand your point, however, obvious classic celiac disease symptoms are often overlooked by doctors, and if a person has undiagnosed celiac disease any meds would simply mask those symptoms, not treat the cause. Too often this is the case. Of course there are examples of people who need such meds, but I believe the first step would be to address the health complaints, rather than make assumptions and prescribe meds that, in the case of someone with celiac disease, would likely not be necessary, and could actually be harmful (quitting anti-depressants can be risky for anyone--even for those who didn't initially need them). 

[knitty kitty]

On 12/29/2021 at 2:48 PM, Scott Adams said:

I do think this forum has many posts from people who had celiac disease symptoms, but their doctors dismissed them and thought they were simply depressed or were hypochondriacs. Many have reported that their doctors offered them prescriptions for anxiety, rather than investigate their health symptoms. 

 

15 hours ago, Kate333 said:

A friendly reminder that there is nothing "simple" about depression or health anxiety, and I don't think it helpful or appropriate to imply that doctors who even mention MH, let alone offer prescriptions for MH conditions, are somehow dismissive or insulting their patients. That outdated attitude only fuels patient fear/cynicism/reluctance to seek much-needed help which could ease suffering.   

Depression/anxiety are VERY SERIOUS, REAL--often possibly life-threatening--medical conditions that deserve to be taken seriously.  Also, since untreated celiac disease seriously damages the small intestine, it is completely logical that the end result would be depression/anxiety (since 95% of serotonin "lives" in the gut, not the brain and is reduced with gut damage).  That said, even without serious gut damage or serotonin deficiency, a diagnosis of celiac disease which requires rigid, drastic diet changes alone is reason enough to generate EXTREME depression/anxiety, esp. in the months after initial diagnosis.  Based on personal experience, adopting a gluten-free diet alone will NOT "cure" serious depression/anxiety. 

I know your comment was well-meaning, but pls. try not to inadvertently stigmatize depression/anxiety by using terms that imply drs are dismissing patient symptoms or being "condescending".  Many of us welcome and have greatly benefitted from our doctors' discussions, therapy, and prescriptions to help us cope with depression/anxiety. 

@Kate333,

First let me say I agree with you wholeheartedly that "Depression/anxiety are VERY SERIOUS, REAL--often possibly life-threatening--medical conditions that deserve to be taken seriously."  

I think you misinterpreted what Mr. Adams was saying.  The attitude of the physician can influence "patient fear/cynicism/reluctance to seek much-needed help which could ease suffering."   

Your experience has been far different from mine.  My doctors were in the group that repeatedly dismissed me as a hypochondriac.  These doctors used prescription antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals as a band-aid to cover the symptoms of depression, anxiety and panic attacks.  These doctors repeatedly prescribed a different class or stronger antidepressants when one antidepressant failed to work.  These doctors repeatedly failed to investigate further into my health problems in order to find the root cause of both my physical body dysfunction and my deteriorating mental health.  If our body is not functioning properly, the brain is not going to function properly as well.  

Over and over, vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.  Correction of vitamin and mineral deficiencies can alleviate or improve certain conditions.  

This article explains diverse mental health conditions that are improved by supplementing vitamins and minerals, by themselves or in conjunction with antidepressants, whether blood tests showed deficiencies or not.  Blood tests are not an accurate measurement of vitamin deficiencies.

Since Celiac Disease is a disease causing malabsorption of micronutrients, correcting deficiencies should not be ignored.

"The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Psychiatry"

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3046018/#!po=10.0000

"The battle to reduce the stigma associated with nutritional therapies is still very present today, fifty years later. More commonly labeled “alternative medicine/therapy,” nutritional therapies are considered just that: an alternative, a last resort, or are not considered at all. Over the years, major medical textbooks have claimed that “routine prescription of vitamin preparations is indefensible, it is poor medical practice,17 and that “multivitamins are not necessary.18Goodwin went so far as to say that a bias exists in this particular area; where “positive results are viewed with suspicion,” and “negative results are published in the best journals.”19 One study found that most doctors do not feel comfortable discussing alternative therapies with their patients, despite the fact that 55% of patients have requested more information about herbal (or natural) medicine.20 However, despite the presence of skeptics, criticisms and lack of information to the public, natural therapies continue to be used."

And...

"Adjuvant thiamine improved standard treatment in patients with major depressive disorder: results from a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26984349/

And...

"The Overlooked Vitamin That Improves Autoimmune Disease And Autonomic Dysfunction"

https://awaken.com/2021/02/the-overlooked-vitamin-that-improves-autoimmune-disease-and-autonomic-dysfunction/

And...

"Serotonin in the gut: Blessing or a curse"

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300908418301652

 

Edited January 13, 2022 by knitty kitty
Typo correction

[cristiana]

This is such an interesting discussion.

Although I truly believe my mental health issues were caused by coeliac disease and deficiencies, I would say that I needed quite a lot of help recovering from those issues after adopting the diet.  I'd fallen into very unhelpful behaviour and thought patterns.

In the UK waiting lists for a mental health clinic referral are very long.  Thankfully someone in my family is a doctor and so while I was waiting, he recommended the Cantopher book and the NHS Scottish Moodjuice website (I think it's called something else now),  and I am grateful that around that time I found Paul David's book and website. 

It was also suggested to me that I should try seeing a professional accredited counsellor, who are more easily accessible in the UK.   The lady I saw was also a member of the Association of Christian Counsellors, which I found very helpful as a Christian. She was excellent and my weekly meetings with her gave me a safe place to talk about things - much needed at that time in my life as I was looking after quite young children.

I came off my Citalopram medication after a few months.  I adopted Dr Steve Llardi's tips from his book on Omega 3, exercise, sunlight,  restorative sleep, meaningful social connection, engaging in social activity and avoiding rumination and I believe that really helped.  In the end I didn't need to go to see someone at the Mental Health Clinic, but I realise other people might need this help.

I thought I'd share my tips with any coeliacs who might be struggling as they wait for a referral, in case any of this helps.  But of course, it is very important to stay gluten free, and address those deficiencies too.

Edited January 14, 2022 by cristiana