QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

Why do I see no mention of diet & nutrition in your web site's discussion of mental illness? This is a major factor in the biological imbalances that may be present, and just prescribing drugs is a mere cover-up that often exacerbates the underlying problem while creating drug dependency/addiction, since the patient will be worse than they were to begin with if they stop their medication. By eliminating certain foods and adding others, as well as giving appropriate supplements of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, you can often bring about dramatic improvement. Why are you so anxious to make drug slaves out of your patients?

ANSWER:

Diet and nutrition play a key role for everyone. I do go into this in my book "Biological Unhappiness." I don’t think the tone of your letter would be as hostile if you understood how much I believe in nutrition and taking care of one’s health. The positive changes medication can make cannot be ignored. Based on your last sentence, have you considered that you might be deficient in something yourself - whether it be nutritionally, medically, or in compassion and understanding for your fellow man? That degree of hostility, misinformation and demeaning of those who need medications is not a sign of good health - nutritionally or mentally.

For many individuals with "Biological Unhappiness" diagnoses, nutritional and poison problems are indeed a problem. Hair levels of lead worsen AD(H)D, as do deficiencies in fruits and vegetables. Hypoglycemia can worsen mental health diagnoses. Sometimes the insulin/sugar system is so out of balance that temporarily stopping carbohydrates (e.g. Atkin’s or Sugarbusters) is an excellent idea, particularly for those with carbohydrate cravings. Many people poison themselves with tobacco, alcohol, excess food, a bad diet, lack of exercise and various other things. They often actually are "treating" their medical problems with the "wrong drugs."

We’re a three legged stool - mind, body, spirit - and clearly all three need to be working well. Whatever can be done nutritionally should be done. Nutrition won’t change mental health genetics, however, nor will it change the mind of someone who’s interpreting danger that there really is no danger. Being healthier in every way - including nutritionally - is a wise choice.