Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disease that can cause you to have difficulty thinking, interpreting reality, coping in society and functioning in everyday life. Although there is currently no cure for schizophrenia, a number of treatments are thought to help. Natural and alternative remedies should not be used as a replacement for your doctor's advice, however, certain supplements, such as DHEA, may help symptoms of schizophrenia.
About DHEA
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is an adrenal hormone made from cholesterol. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, your body uses DHEA to manufacture the sex hormones known as androgens and estrogens. As you get older, your body's production of DHEA begins to slow down, possibly playing a role in certain conditions such as osteoporosis or memory loss. Some people use DHEA in its synthetic form as an over-the-counter supplement to combat physical and mental complaints, such as depression, obesity and menopause, although the evidence is shaky regarding its benefits. Interestingly, people with schizophrenia may have decreased levels of DHEA, indicating its role as a potential marker for this disease.
Schizophrenia Facts
Many people mistakenly think of schizophrenia as a type of split-personality disease. However, multiple personality disorder is actually much less common and results in different symptoms than those of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia causes a number of debilitating symptoms that make it very difficult to function, including hallucinations, paranoia, thought disorders and delusions and "negative" symptoms, meaning a loss of ability to function in a certain area, including flattened affect or little or no emotional expression, social impairments, a lack of attention to personal hygiene and lowered mood. Although schizophrenia is a chronic disease, many treatments offer help, including medication, social interventions and certain types of therapy. Additionally, some research has found potential benefits of DHEA supplementation for symptoms of schizophrenia.
Clinical Evidence
One interesting study have confirmed that schizophrenic patients have lower levels of DHEA than the rest of the population. The study, published in the 2001 issue of the "World Journal of Biological Psychiatry," found that low DHEA levels may be correlated with certain cognitive symptoms and movement disorders in schizophrenic patients. Another study, published in 2003 in the "Archives of General Psychiatry" found that DHEA supplementation had a beneficial effect on negative, depressive and anxiety symptoms in schizophrenic patients. An additional study, published in 2005 in the journal, "Essential Psychopharmacology," found that DHEA supplementation resulted in a significant improvement of moderate to severe negative symptoms in schizophrenic study participants.
Considerations
While DHEA supplementation may help schizophrenia, you should not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for any prescribed medication or as an alternative to your doctor's advice. Symptoms of schizophrenia must be carefully managed by your doctor or mental health provider. If you are thinking about taking DHEA, consult your doctor, especially if you take any type of medication.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dehydroepiandrosterone
- "World Journal of Biological Psychiatry"; Movement Disorder, Memory, Psychiatric Symptoms and Serum DHEA Levels in Schizophrenic and Schizoaffective Patients; D. Harris, et al; 2001
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; Dehydroepiandrosterone Augmentation in the Management of Negative, Depressive, and Anxiety Symptoms in Schizophrenia; R. Strous, et al; 2003
- "Essential Psychopharmacology"; Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Augmentation in the Management of Schizophrenia Symptomatology; R.D. Strous; 2005
