Orthomolecular Psychiatry

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Orthomolecular psychiatry , which is controversial among scientifically oriented psychiatrists, aims to achieve and maintain mental health by creating optimal molecular conditions for the functioning of the mind and understanding, in particular by optimally concentrating the substances normally present in the body, such as vitamins. It belongs to the field of orthomolecular medicine .

history

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The Canadian doctors Abram Hoffer and Humphry Osmond are considered to be the founders of orthomolecular psychiatry. They use high doses of niacin (vitamin B3) to treat schizophrenia in what is known as “mega vitamin therapy”. The starting point was the consideration, since the symptoms of schizophrenia with pellagra disappear with treatment with niacin, whether niacin is not helpful also in cases of schizophrenia without the other pellagra symptoms skin diseases and diarrhea. Building on this, Carl Curt Pfeiffer developed a system for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses, the main features of which are still valid today among the supporters of the system, for which there is, however, no evidence whatsoever in the scientific literature.

Pfeiffer set up a system of "biotypes of schizophrenia":

  • Histapenia - low levels of histamine with excess copper in the blood
  • Histadelia - high levels of histamine with low levels of copper in the blood
  • Pyrroluria - a familial double deficiency in zinc and vitamin B6
  • Cerebral allergy - including wheat gluten allergy
  • Hypoglycemia due to malnutrition

After Pfeiffer's death in 1988, research in this area stagnated. The studies carried out at that time do not meet today's scientific requirements. The now 50 years old originally hopeful looking results could not be replicated in follow-up studies by other investigators. A large series of placebo-controlled studies showed no effect of the tested vitamins on the symptoms of schizophrenia. Clearly, high-dose vitamins are at least much less effective than treating schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs. Vitamin treatment is also not without its risks. Side effects that may be very unpleasant or that shorten life have been reported repeatedly in studies on high-dose vitamins, especially recently.

Current status

Orthomolecular psychiatry does not play a role in the treatment of mental illnesses in Germany.

The statutory health insurances do not bear the costs because there is no proof of effectiveness.

In Germany, only a few vitamin preparations are approved as medicinal products. Rather, they are sold as dietary supplements ; H. advertising must not contain medical indications or cure claims, and high (possibly toxic) doses are prohibited.

Criticism of orthomolecular psychiatry

Orthomolecular psychiatry cannot justify its therapy recommendations with neutral studies. In contrast, there are scientific studies that show that such a procedure does not bring any benefit to the patient. Other works even show the dangers of the same. Several professional associations around the world have therefore clearly spoken out against orthomolecular psychiatry after reviewing the research results. It is not part of modern evidence-based medicine.

literature

  • Carl C. Pfeiffer: Nutrient therapy for mental disorders. The Golden Pamphlet. Haug-Verlag, Heidelberg 1986, ISBN 3-7760-1062-2 .
  • Konrad Thome: Nutrients for the soul. Possibilities of orthomolecular medicine in the treatment of mentally ill people and in ADHD. Optimal-Verlag, Kelkheim 2003, ISBN 3-921271-44-4 .
  • Abram Hoffer: Vitamin B-3 and Schizophrenia: Discovery, Recovery, Controversy. Quarry Press, Kingston, Ontario Canada 1998, ISBN 1-55082-079-6 .

Web links

Technical article

  • RH Haslam, JT Dalby, AW Rademaker: Effects of megavitamin therapy on children with attention deficit disorders. In: Pediatrics. 74 (1), Jul 1984, pp. 103-111.
  • RA Davidson: Complications of megavitamin therapy. In: South Med J. 77 (2), Feb 1984, pp. 200-203.
  • K. Vaughan, N. McConaghy, NZ Aust: Megavitamin and dietary treatment in schizophrenia: a randomized, controlled trial. In: J Psychiatry. 33 (1), Feb 1999, pp. 84-88.
  • M. Lipton et al. a :: Task Force Report on Megavitamin and Orthomolecular Therapy in Psychiatry. American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC 1973 ,.
  • Nutrition Committee, Canadian Pediatric Society: Megavitamin and megamineral therapy in childhood. In: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 143, 1990, p. 10091013. reaffirmed April 2000.
  • Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics: Megavitamin therapy for childhood psychoses and learning disabilities. In: Pediatrics. 58, 1976, p. 910912.