Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, also known as OCD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive and irrational thoughts, fears and worries that cause you to perform repetitive behaviors called compulsions. People with OCD often realize that their obsessions are irrational and try to ignore or stop their urges to act out certain behaviors, but are unable to do so without feeling anguish or anxiety. Common themes associated with OCD include aggressive and impulsive behaviors, contamination fears, the need for order and uncontrollable sexual thoughts. Certain vitamin supplements can ease OCD symptoms and help you manage your condition.
Vitamin B-1
Vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine, is a water-soluble vitamin that produces a calming sensation in your body, reduces impulsive behaviors, balances your hormones, removes stress from your body and supports a healthy nervous system, according to Hove Thomsen, author of the book "From Thoughts to Obsessions: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents." Foods rich in vitamin B-1 include soy milk, lentils, split peas, Macadamia nuts, cashews, navy beans, wheat germ, sweet corn, watermelon, potatoes, green peas, oranges and asparagus.
Vitamin B-3
Vitamin B-3, also known as niacin, is a water-soluble vitamin that has a calming effect in your body, reduces obsessive thoughts and behaviors, prevents anxiety attacks, regulates your sleep cycles, eliminates stress from your body and aids in the production of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, brain chemicals responsible for your moods and brain function, according to Ruth Deane, author of the book "Washing My Life Away: Surviving Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." Foods rich in vitamin B-3 include milk, peanuts, eggs, mushrooms, ground beef, lamb chops, chicken, canned tuna, sunflower seeds, livers, fortified cereals, salmon and turkey.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and protects your body against toxins, infections, viruses and diseases that can trigger OCD, according to Gary Null, author of the book "Food-Mood Connection: Nutritional and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing." Null reports that vitamin C also reduces anxiety, aggression and impulsive behaviors, prevents brain damage, aids in the healing process, behaves like a sedative in your body, improves adrenal gland function, eliminates stress and decreases the frequency and severity of OCD. Foods rich in vitamin C include cranberries, pineapples, oranges, turnip greens, Swiss chard, spinach, grapefruits, kiwi, papaya and strawberries.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that strengthens your immune system and protects your body from harmful free radicals that can activate OCD, according to John March and Christine Benton, authors of the book "Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say 'No Way' and Parents Say 'Way to Go.'" March and Benton report that zinc also has a calming effect in your body, alleviates stress, relieves anxiety, prevents excessive worrying, calms irrational fears, supports emotional and mental health, stabilizes your moods and reduces repetitive and impulsive behaviors. Foods rich in zinc include cheddar cheese, almonds, baked beans, peanuts, cashews, crab, oysters, beef, chicken, milk, yogurt and turkey.
References
- "Washing My Life Away: Surviving Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder"; Ruth Deane; 2005
- "From Thoughts to Obsessions: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents"; Hove Thomsen; 1998
- "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"; Frederick Toates and Olga Coschug-Toates; 2002
- "Food-Mood Connection: Nutritional and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing"; Gary Null; 2008
- "Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say "No Way" and Parents Say "Way to Go""; John S. March and Christine M. Benton; 2006
