Can Fish Oil Help OCD?

The effect of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil is the subject of ongoing research related to many health conditions, including psychiatric disorders. Fish oil is contained in dietary sources such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines, as well as in fish oil supplements. Research suggests that although omega-3 fatty acids or polyunsaturated fatty acids may benefit mood disorders such as depression, evidence does not substantiate a similar benefit for anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.

OCD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD affects more than 2 million American adults. OCD is a chronic anxiety disorder characterized by irrational thoughts or fears, or obsessions that compel an individual to engage in a repetitive action, or compulsion. Some of the obsession symptoms, as reported by MayoClinic.com, include fear of contamination by touching objects others have touched, and stress when items appear disorderly. Compulsion symptoms include hand washing until lesions appear, and rearranging pictures hanging on the wall numerous times. Most individuals respond to treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, antidepressant medication and behavioral therapy.

DHA and EPA

Omega-3 fatty acids or polyunsaturated fatty acids play an integral role in cell division, brain function and other body functions. Fish oil is the primary source for two crucial omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Some of the side effects of fish oil are bad breath, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea and abdominal bloating. Consult your doctor before adding fish oil or any other supplement to your diet.

Research

Researchers studied the adjunctive effects of EPA with subjects who continued to take an SSRI antidepressant medication for OCD during the study, results of which were published in the "Journal of Psychiatric Research" in 2004. Researchers did not find differences between a group of subjects who took a placebo for 6 weeks followed by 6 weeks of EPA, and subjects who took EPA for 6 weeks followed by 6 weeks of a placebo. The research indicates that EPA does not help individuals who use SSRI antidepressants to treat symptoms of OCD.

Considerations

Research does not validate that fish oil treats the symptoms of OCD. Do not substitute fish oil as a replacement for your current treatment plan. Fish oil supplements may interact with medications and other supplements. Your doctor should approve, administer and monitor all alternative or complementary substances to safeguard and maximize the effectiveness of your treatment plan for OCD.