Gluten intolerance or celiac disease is typically associated with physical symptoms, ranging from anemia to abdominal discomfort. This autoimmune condition can also cause mental or mood-related issues, including depression and anxiety. If you have celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet undertaken with the support of your health care provider may improve your mood.
Depression
Depression is one symptom of celiac disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of depression include not only feelings of sadness, frustration and irritability, but also changes in appetite, fatigue, trouble concentrating and slowed thinking or body movements. These symptoms may be attributed to both depression and celiac disease. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eliminating gluten may relieve many of the symptoms of depression. You may be able to reduce or eliminate antidepressant medication over time with help from your doctor, but should not stop taking any medication without medical advice and support from a health care provider.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder, may be associated with a gluten intolerance. While some level of anxiety is normal and healthy, when anxiety begins to interfere with your life, causing excessive and irrational fear or dread, it is a sign of a mental health condition, according to the National Institute for Mental Health. While anxiety disorders are typically treated with medication or therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, you may find that symptoms improve with a gluten-free diet if you are sensitive or intolerant of gluten proteins.
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Celiac disease may play a small role in these serious mental health conditions. Rates of both diagnosed celiac disease and increased levels of antibodies to gliadin, a marker of gluten sensitivity, are higher in people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to a 2011 study published in "Bipolar Disorders." Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may see an improvement in symptoms related to mood with a gluten-free diet.
Testing and Treatment
If you have a mental health condition like depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, you may want to request a celiac test. The initial test for celiac disease is a blood test that looks for the presence of antibodies to gluten. If this test is positive, a biopsy of the small intestine can confirm celiac disease. If you have celiac disease, you must must avoid all sources of gluten, including wheat, barley and rye. In some cases, a person has a sensitivity, which may or may not be indicated by antibodies in her blood, that can cause similar symptoms without a diagnosis of celiac disease.
References
- Celiac.com; Gluten Sensitivity and Depression; Vikki Peterson; March 2009
- Mayo Clinic: Depression
- National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse: Celiac Disease
- Schizophrenia.com: Celiac Disease
- "Bipolar Disorders"; Markers of Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease in Bipolar Disorder; Faith Dickerson et. al.; February 2011
