Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, causes people to have persistent, unwelcome thoughts. People with OCD develop rituals to attempt to control or manage the anxiety that these unpleasant thoughts bring, but the rituals often end up interfering with their ability to function in daily life. Many treatments are available to help people manage this condition. Although some believe that taking fish oil supplements may help this condition, scientific evidence to support this theory is lacking as of this writing. If you are interested in using fish oil for OCD, contact your doctor or mental health professional for advice.
Fish Oil
Although you can obtain fish oil from eating fish, some people opt to get it by taking supplements. Fish oil supplements are used to treat or prevent a number of conditions, such as heart disease and stroke and high blood pressure or triglyceride levels. Fish oil may also be effective at improving some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, psychosis and attention-deficit hyperactivity in children. However, there is insufficient evidence to support fish oil's effectiveness in treating the symptoms of mental disorders, including OCD.
Considerations
Fish oil supplements may affect people in a slightly different way. Even if you know someone who has experienced a reduction in their OCD symptoms after taking fish oil, it is impossible to predict how your specific OCD symptoms will be affected by taking this supplement. Your age, gender, weight, lifestyle, nutrition, metabolism, medications and other biological factors all play a role in how fish oil supplements may affect you. Always talk to your doctor about your own specific medical condition and background to determine if it is appropriate for you to take fish oil supplements.
Alternatives
While it may be worthwhile to take a small dose of fish oil to see if it helps your OCD symptoms, you should not rely solely on this for treatment. Many cases of OCD are effectively treated or managed with cognitive behavioral therapy. Some therapists also recommend prescription medications to treat this condition, such as antidepressants or tranquilizers. Making simple lifestyle changes can also help. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, joining an OCD support group or performing relaxation activities when you feel stressed all may prove beneficial.
Warning
Although doses of less than 3 g a day is likely safe for healthy people, taking more than this amount is possibly unsafe. Ask your doctor if taking fish oil is appropriate for your situation and, if so, how much fish oil to take. Fish oil may also interact negatively with other medications or supplements. Some medications known to interact negatively with fish oil include furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, valsartan, diltiazen, enalapril, captopril, orlistate, dalteparin, dipyridamole, heparin, warfarin, clopidogrel, enoxaparin and aspirin. Fish oil may reduce the levels of vitamin E in the body and may slow blood clotting. Avoid taking ginger, garlic, Panax ginseng, willow, turmeric, red clover, danshen, clove or angelica while taking fish oil. Birth control medications may also interfere with the ability of fish oil to lower triglycerides.
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