Diet And Ptsd Symptoms

[EmmaOwl]

I think you are absolutely right about the insomnia. Chronic stress messes with your body's hormone fun...

Well I had recurring nightmares throughout my childhood, and I've had nightmares every night of my adult life; a change in diet will not fix *that*. (Maybe once a year I don't have nightmares and it is such a wonderful novelty!) That was one of several major factors when I was approved for disability - as much as I tried, I could not depend on getting enough rest to perform well at a job. Believe me, I remove all the stress I can. I have others helping remove stress. It helps some things, but not the nightmares. And unless the nightmares ease up, I'll always have insomnia - because I am terrified to go to sleep.

I have a family member who has spent years buying the new cure of the week so I am wary of such things. I have no "favorite expert". I'm glad you've found something that helps you, though.

 

[Cannottakethis]

I eat a modified keto/low carb diet. I started on this after the weight I'd gained from medication wasn't coming off from a traditional low fat/low calorie diet. I work with a dr and dietician. I don't know if it's had any impact on my mood. I never thought about it until I saw this thread but I don't think it's had much of an influence.

 

[Deadman]

I eat a modified keto/low carb diet. I started on this after the weight I'd gained from medication wasn'...

Has the diet helped you lose the med weight?

 

[Cannottakethis]

Has the diet helped you lose the med weight?

Yes. It's helping slowly but it's helping. I haven't exercised in a while but I'll be starting back up this week. That will speed it up again. It's easy to get thrown off the low carb by travel or, for me, stress or poor choices, but I'm good about 95% of the time.

 

[Panda Bear]

About a year ago, when I was trying medications, my psychiatrist had a serious chat with me about diet. I was struggling with finding the right match, and she as desperately trying to help me. That's when she sat me down and told me that diet was more important that meds, and I needed a serious change in order for this to work.

She told me I'm at greater risk of developing demintia and other serious issues, if I don't get a handle on my depression and anxiety. The longer it goes, the harder it is on my brain and body. Say goodbye to sugar....and foods that can cause a sharp increase in glucose levels. Please be gluten free.....and other things too.

We did find a match with the meds, but I took her food talk to heart and have really worked on keeping my diet happy. When I stray from my diet, my mood shows it. And it's as if I'm not getting enough meds. My brain can no longer function under heaving foods, gluten and sugars. I also feel like a lead weight when I eat junk.

I've also discovered that I'm intolerant to gluten! What had been decades of stomach issues, have since been resolved since become GF! Who knew....

Also.....exercise. Gotta have it. Even when I don't want it, need it.

 

[Sweet_E]

Well I had recurring nightmares throughout my childhood, and I've had nightmares every night of my adu...

Have you tried doing grounding exercises before bed? I don't think they'd eliminate the problem but maybe it would help.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Have you tried doing grounding exercises before bed? I don't think they'd eliminate the problem but may...

Over a couple of decades, I've tried just about everything. Absolute exhaustion is the only thing that does it, these days.

I realize I'm odd or offbeat. I would love it if some of these things helped me. For example, when I have made various attempts to meditate over the years, I have panic attacks. My brain won't let my mind give in. When I had surgery several years back, everyone was astounded at how high I counted after being given anesthesia; afterwards it became something of a joke among the surgical staff. Back there in my subconscious is something that really will not let go. I have been unable to create a "safe place" for EMDR or related therapies - I don't have anywhere that's safe, even in my imagination.

I'm not trying to argue against your suggestions - I appreciate that you are trying help me. I think, for me personally, what works is talk therapy. Unfortunately that's a very slow process.

 

[Friday]

I was wondering if anyone here has had any success (or failures) with using diet to mitigate PTSD symptoms?

In short? Sadly, no. My ideal diet does change around a whole helluva lot depending on where I'm living (the same diet that makes me feel vivacious & lively in 120 degree heat, will make me sick & sluggish at -10 below, and vice versa) & what my activity levels are. But outside of making sure I'm not dealing with the effects of malnourishment, and the occasional placebo effect here and there when I'm super distracted, there's no effect on my PTSD.

 

[Sweet_E]

Over a couple of decades, I've tried just about everything. Absolute exhaustion is the only thing that...

I can relate to not being able to do EMDR. Same thing here!

My nutrition coach is always talking about "bio-individuality." The concept refers to the fact that a food that is considered healthy and nutritious for the general population may actually be harmful for a specific individual. It's not enough to eat "good" food. You have to eat the food that is good for YOU.

I think it's a similar concept with our PTSD healing path. There may be things that work for a lot of people. However, I found the most important tools are self-awareness and intuition - listening to your own unique needs and idiosyncrasies and being true and accepting to your own individuality. It sounds like that is the approach you are taking. I get it.

I will mention this again. Since you are into the Keto diet and addressing symptoms through diet, you sound like a match made in heaven for a functional medicine doctor. Many of them would have experience supervising a Keto diet. I listen to Chris Kesser's podcast and he was just saying how a lot of times people get diagnosed with anxiety and depression and are given medication, which is a good band-aid and needed sometimes, but a lot of times there is nutritional deficiency or physical imbalance that is causing it that can be resolved in other ways. This page has a lot of good resources, if you interested, including a database of functional medicine doctors. At the same time it's very difficult to change doctors completely. Not sure if there is a functional practitioner that would work with your current doctor. Just throwing it out there since you are so interested in the holistic approach. https://www.hormonesbalance.com/articles/find-supportive-doctor/

 

[Deadman]

@Sweet_E I would love to see a functional medicine doctor but I live on a rather small island on the west coast of Canada. We only recently found a doctor who was willing to work in our health clinic full time. Prior to her arrival we had doctors rotate in for a few days at a time from bigger population centers. I will see if I can find a functional med doc on Vancouver Island though if my medical insurance will cover it.

I'd forgotten about Chris Kresser's podcast. Will have to start listening again. I have been listening to Robb Wolf's podcast. He is defenitely worth checking out. He and Chris have been on each other's podcasts a few times.

 

[Dana1010]

I always recommend an anti-inflammatory diet for depression. Particularly, you need to balance omega-3 and omega-6 intake. The standard American diet now contains waaaaaaaay too much omega-6.

 

[EmmaOwl]

The standard American diet now contains waaaaaaaay too much omega-6.

I don't think there IS a standard american diet anymore. People are much more receptive to eating in a way that makes them feel good, rather than following certain strictures of a diet that might not even be right for their particular body type, varying physical health, etc. Look at how many Americans now cut out gluten. "Gluten free" now seems standard - or at least it is attainable across the country and people do not make a huge deal out of it anymore.
And that's only one small thing. Watching out for omega-3 is not exactly a new thing, either.

Edited to say: I don't intend to argue, and I think I do understand what you mean by "standard diet"... I just think it's worth mentioning that things have been changing a lot in recent years.