The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that between two and five out of every 1,000 people may suffer from schizoaffective disorder, a debilitating mental illness. While a combination of psychotherapy and medication is generally recommended for treating this disorder, some herbs may also offer help for certain schizoaffective symptoms. Do not attempt to self-treat your condition, however. Consult your doctor before using herbal remedies, especially if you take any medication.
About Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by the presence of mood disturbance and schizophrenic symptoms. Mood disturbance manifests as depression or mania, while schizophrenic symptoms involve a loss of touch with reality, causing delusions, hallucinations, a lack of attention to personal care, social withdrawal and unusual or erratic behavior. You may also experience insomnia, anxiety or irritability. Because schizoaffective disorder can significantly impair your ability to function, dramatically decrease your feelings of well-being and lead to psychosis, do not rely on herbal remedies to treat the disorder unless directed to do so by your doctor.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort, also know by its scientific name Hypercium perforatum, is an herbal remedy that has treated mental and physical disorders for thousands of years, including insomnia, depression and anxiety. The flowers of the St. John's wort plant are used in commercially prepared teas, extracts, tablets and capsules. St. John's wort may alleviate sleep disorders and control mood and depressive symptoms commonly experienced by patients with schizoaffective disorder. However, no specific clinical research proves its benefits for schizoaffective disorder. A clinical review, published in the August 1996 issue of the "British Medical Journal" found significant evidence attesting to the benefits of St. John's wort in treating symptoms of mild to moderately severe depressive disorders. Clinical trials are needed to examine the specific uses of St. John's wort for schizoaffective disorder.
Valerian
Valerian is a perennial flowering plant whose roots, stems and rhizomes are used in capsules, teas, tablets and tinctures to treat sleep disorders. Some limited evidence shows valerian may help sleep disorders in patients with schizoaffective disorder. A study published in the February 2000 issue of the journal "Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology" examined the effects of valerian versus a placebo on sleep disorders in 23 Hispanic patients receiving outpatient mental health services in a hospital setting. Two patients had schizoaffective disorder and one had major depression. At the end of the study, one participant said that valerian was "moderately to extremely helpful," and the other two reported that valerian was "extremely helpful." However, there are no additional studies regarding the efficacy of valerian for schizoaffective symptoms.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest herbal remedies in existence, used to treat a number of physical and mental complaints by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners for thousands of years. Some evidence suggests that ginkgo may also improve schizophrenic symptoms, especially if used in combination with certain anti-psychotic medications. A study published in the February 2001 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology" examined the effect of a ginkgo extract combined with the traditional anti-psychotic medication haloperidol, versus haloperidol and a placebo, on schizophrenic symptoms in 82 patients suffering from chronic, treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The results found that ginkgo supplementation enhanced the efficacy of haloperidol treatment. However, no additional studies have examined the effects of ginkgo on patients with a specific diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
References
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Schizoaffective Disorder
- "British Medical Journal"; St. John's Wort for Depression - An Overview and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials; K. Linde et al.; August 3, 1996
- "Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology"; Valerian As Hypnotic for Hispanic Patients; R.A. Dominguez et al.; February 2000
- "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology"; The Effect of Extract of Ginkgo Biloba Added to Haloperidol on Superoxide Dismutase in Inpatients With Chronic Schizophrenia; X. Zhang et al.; February 2001
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